We will not contend about the Name; of the situation of it, as it stands almost in all Maps, we doubt. We will give the reason of our scruple by those things that fol∣low, in the mean time we will give some history of the place.
I. Herod built it in memory of his Father Antipater. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. For he raised, saith Josephus, a monument to his father, and a City, which he built in the best plain of his Kingdom, rich in springs and woods, and called it Antipatris.
II. Hither was Paul brought, when he was carried to Cesarea, Act. XXIII. 31. Where, unless those words, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, be rendred by no unusual interpretation, they brought him by night towards Antipatris, you must place that City much nearer Jerusalem, than almost all the Maps do.
III. This measuring once and again occurs among the Gemarists, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 From Gebath to Antipatris. From Gebath to Antipatris, say they, were sixty myriads of Cities, the least of which was Beth-Shemesh. We do not assert the truth of the thing, we only take notice of the phrase.
And again,
Hezekiah the King, say they, fixed his sword to the door of Beth-Midras, and said, Whosoever studieth not the Law, shall be run through with that sword. They made enquiry from Dan even to Beersheba, and found not 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 any one uninstructed: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. from Gebath to Antipatris, and found not boy or girl, man or woman, who did not well know the Traditions of cleanness and uncleanness. Where the Gloss is, Gebath and Antipatris were places in the utmost borders.
Think of the scene of the story, and how such an Encomium could reach as far as Antipatris, almost in the middle of Samaria, as it is placed in the Maps. And what authority had Ezekiah to make enquiry among the Samaritans?
The Talmudists also say, that the meeting of Alexander the Great, and of Simeon the Just was at Antipatris.
The Cutheans, say they, prayed Alexander the Great, that he would destroy the Temple (of Jerusalem:) Some came, and discovered the thing to Simeon the Just. Therefore what does he? He puts on the High Priests garments, and vails himself with the High Priests vail: and he and the chief Men of Israel went forth, holding torches in their hands. Some went this way, and others that all night, till the morning brake forth, when the morning grew light said (Alexander) to his men, who are those? The Jews, said they, who have rebelled against you. When they were come 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 to Antipatris, the Sun arose, and they were met by these: when Alexander saw Simeon the Just, lighting down out of his Chariot he worshiped him, &c.
Do you think, that the High Priest cloathed in his priestly garments, and the Jews, went through all Samaria almost, in such solemn procession? Josephus, relating this story, only the name of Jaddua changed, saith this meeting was 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. at a certain place called Sapha. But this name being changed into the Greek language signi∣fies A Watch Tower. For the buildings of Jerusalem and the Temple might from thence be seen. Of which place, He and We treat elsewhere under the name of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Scopus, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Tzophim.