Bible Dictionary
ZEPHATHAH, VALLEY OF
The Valley of Zephathah was the place near Mareshah where Asa defeated Zerah the Ethiopian and his army. Its precise location is uncertain, possibly lying in a ravine north of Mareshah.
Definition
The Valley of Zephathah was the place near Mareshah where Asa met and defeated the Ethiopians under Zerah. Its exact location is uncertain.
Biblical Usage
Second Chronicles identifies the valley as the scene of Asa’s battle and victory over Zerah’s army.
Historical Background
No name closely resembling Zephathah has been recovered at Mareshah. It may have been a ravine north of Mareshah, possibly Wady el-‘Afranj.
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>zef'-a-tha (ge'tsephathah; Septuagint kata borran, reading tsephoah, instead of tsephathah): This is the place where Asa met and defeated the Ethiopians under Zerah (2Ch 14:10). It is said to be at Mareshah. No name resembling this has been recovered there. Possibly, therefore, the Septuagint rendering is right, "in the ravine to the North of Mareshah." In that case the battle may have been fought in Wady el-`Afranj.</p>