SECT. IV. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Chaphenatha, 1 Maccab. XII. 37.
IN the days of Jonathan the Asmonean, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. They came together to build the City, and he approached to the wall of the Brook, which is on the East, and they repaired that which was called Chaphenatha.
Where and what is this 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Chaphenatha? I am apt to think, it might be some part of the out skirts of the City toward the East; called so, much upon the same reason, that Bethphage was, which was the outmost part of the City toward the East. For that was so called, viz. a place of green Figgs, from the Figg-trees that grew near it, in the Mount of Olives: So here 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Chaphenatha, some part of that out-most Coast to∣ward the East and Mount of Olives, so called from the Dates growing there.
For 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Chephanioth is frequently used amongst the Talmudists for the Dates of Palm-trees that never come to their full maturity. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 A sort of ill Palm∣trees, as the Gloss in Beracoth s, the fruit of the Palm that never ripens. So Aruch in 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Caphnith. By a signification near akin to 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Hene and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Ahene, which denotes the unripe Dates of Palms; from whence, I suppose, Bethany in the Mount of Olives is derived. So that some out-most part of the City and Wall toward Mount Olivet, was called Bethphage from the Figgs that grew there, and another part of it Chaphenatha, from the Dates.