Eusebius of Caesarea, Onomasticon (1971) Translation. pp. 1-75.

Babel (Which is also) Babylon.¹⁹¹ Interpreted "confusion." It was the city of Nemrod, king of the giants. Where the tongues of those who designed the tower were confused, whose chief, Josephus affirms, had been Nimrod. He also is a witness to the story about the tower which the Greek Sibylline taught, saying. "The place in which they built the tower" is now called Babylon because of the obvious confusion of their first language. The Hebrews called that confusion Babel. [Because of the confusion of the speech of those who were building the most high tower with all zeal since the Hebrews call confusion Babel.] Concerning this tower and the dialects of man the Sibylline also recalls writing thus. All mankind had one language but some built a high tower so they might climb up to heaven by it. The gods sending winds overturned the tower and gave to each his own (peculiar and unique) language. And so because of this the city is called Babylon."

Baithēl (Bethel).¹⁹² It is now a village twelve miles from Jerusalem to the right of the road going to Neapolis. It was formerly called Oulamma and also Luza. It was given to (the lot of) the tribe of Benjamin, near Bethaven and Gai. Josue also fought there killing the king. [Further, since some hold Ulammaus to be the old form following the error of the Greek volume, they err greatly. Surely the word is Hebrew and they appear to have confused the name of the city with Ulam meaning "first," i.e., former, while Luza really means "almond." So properly Bethel was first called Luza. Neither this nor Bathaun should be looked for in another city since the Hebrews reckoned them to be Bethel. But from the time of Jeroboam, son of Nabat, made there the Golden calves and the ten tribes worshiped there, it has been called Betraun, i.e., "House of God." But we have spoken of this fully in the book Hebrew Questions.]

Bala.¹⁹³ "That is Sigor (Segor) It is now called Zoora (Zoara), the only one [of the five cities] of the territory of Sodom [cursed by Lot] which escaped. It is now inhabited (remains still) in the vicinity of the Dead Sea. A garrison of (Roman) soldiers is (stationed) there (a peculiar people crowd in there.) The Balsam and the date palm in the land surrounding it proves the ancient fertility of the place. [Nothing is wrong because Segor is said to be Zoara, for they are the same word for "very little" or "little." It is Segor in Hebrew and Zoara in Syriac. Bala however is interpreted "swallowed." On this we have spoken fully in the book: Hebrew Questions.]

Belanos (Belanus).¹⁹⁴ "Mourning" (i.e., oak) under which Rebecca's nurse died and was buried.

Barad.¹⁹⁵ "Between Cades and Barad the well of Agar is even now pointed out.

Bēthlehem.¹⁹⁶ [City of David. In the lot of the] tribe of Juda (in which our Lord and Savior was born.] It is six miles south of Jerusalem near the road descending to Hebron. There the tombs of Jesse and David are pointed out. [One mile farther. near the tower of Ader, which means "tower of the flock," is where the shepherds heard prophetically of the Lord's birth before it happened. Also near this same Bethlehem is pointed out the tomb of one of the kings of Judaea, Archalaeus, which is reached first on a narrow path diverting from the main highway to our cell.] Also called Bēthleem is the son of Efratha, (i.e. of Mary) according to Paralipomenon (book it is fully spoken. Read the story well!).

EXODUS

Beelsephōn (Beelrefon).¹⁹⁷ Station of the children of Israel near the desert going out of Egypt through the waters, near the Red Sea.

NUMBERS AND DEUTERONOMY

Banēiakan (Baneiacan).¹⁹⁸ Station on the desert in the journey of the people (children of Israel).

Bamōth.¹⁹⁹ City of the Amorrites near the Jordan in the region of the Arnon which the sons of Ruben took.

Basan.²⁰⁰ [Of which is written above] "Og, king of Basan." This is also the Maachathites who are called Aouth Iaeir (that is resident Iair). And the (half-) tribe of Manasse received it (by lot). Located in the Galaad, it is the region of the Basanites which is now called Batanaia.

Beelphegōr (Baelfegor).²⁰¹ (Which is interpreted "idol of shame." It is the idol of Moab which is Baal on Mt.Phogor [which the Latins call Priapus. This is fully discussed in the book Hebrew Questions].

Baian (Baean).²⁰² City of the Amorrites which the sons of Ruben took.

Bēthnamran (Bethamnaram).²⁰³ Across the Jordan. Which the tribe of Gad built. There is even now a village Bethnampris five miles north of Livias.

[Betharran.²⁰⁴ Across the Jordan. Which the tribe of Gad built.]

Beelmeōn.²⁰⁵ Across the Jordan. Which the sons of Ruben built. There is a large village near the hot waters of Baara [where the water springs freely from the earth] called Beelmaous of Arabia, located nine miles from Hesebon. Eliseus the prophet came from here.

Baal.²⁰⁶ Across the Jordan. City of the sons of Ruben.

Bouthan (Buthan).²⁰⁷ Station of the children of Israel in the desert which is also (called) Aitham (Aetham).

Bēla.²⁰⁸ Eastern boundary of Judaea. Note also the above (named) Arbela.

Bosor.²⁰⁹ "In the desert," "across the Jordan," (given in the lot to) "the tribe of Ruben," "east of Jericho," a priestly city of refuge. This is Bostra a metropolis of Arabia. There is also another Bosor, city of Esau, now in the hills of Idumea which Isaia mentions saying, "Who is this coming from Edom? The one in red garments from Bosor?"

Bēroth.²¹⁰ "Of the sons of Jakeim (Iacim)." Place in the desert where Aaron died. It is pointed out (still today) ten miles from Petra on the summit of the mountain.

JOSUE

Bounos.²¹¹ (That is hill) of foreskins. Place at Galgal where Josue circumcised the people (of Israel). At the second mile from Jericho is pointed out even now (today) the stones which were brought up out of the Jordan (as scripture records).

Bēthōrōn.²¹² To where the (enemy) kings were pursued by Josue. Given (in lot) to the sons of Joseph, that is Ephraim. There are two villages twelve miles from Jerusalem on the road to Nicopolis, [of which the near] one called [Bethoron the Lower] set apart for the Levites.

Barnē.²¹³ This is Cades Barne, on the desert which extends up to the city of Petra.

Baalgad.²¹⁴ In the plain "of the Lebanon at the foot of Mt.Hermon. Josua also captured this.

Bethphogor (Bethfogor).²¹⁵ Across the Jordan. City of the sons of Ruben near Mt.Phogor, opposite Jericho, six miles above Livias.

Bēthasimouth (Bethsimuth).²¹⁶ Place of (home of) Isimouth. [There is even now (up to today a village Ismouth] opposite Jericho, ten miles to the south near the Dead Sea.

Bērōth (Beeroth).²¹⁷ At the foot (the hill) Gabaon. There is now (pointed out today) a village near Jerusalem on the road to Nicopolis (Neapolis) at the seventh milestone.

Botnia (Bothnim).²¹⁸ Also Poteein (Latin omits). Across the Jordan, a city of the tribe of Gad. There is even now (today) a place called by this same name.

[Bētharam.²¹⁹ City of the tribe of Gad near the Jordan,] which (is called) according to the Assyrians (Syrians) Bethramphtha. It is now called Livias [so named by Herod in honor of Augustus].

Bethnema.²²⁰ Across the Jordan. City (of the tribe) of Gad near Livias.

[Bethagla.²²¹ Tribe of Juda.] There is now a village called Agla ten miles from Eleutheropolis on the road to Gaza. Also another (maritime) Bethagla by the sea eight miles (from Gaza).

Bētharaba.²²² (In) the tribe of Juda.]

Baal.²²³ "This is Carlatihjarim, city of Iarim," (i.e., town of the forest or as some think city of Iarim) tribe of Juda. There is a village Cariathiareim (today) on the road descending from Jerusalem to Diospolis at the tenth milestone.

Baala.²²⁴ Also Bala (not in Latin). (In) tribe of Juda.

Balōth.²²⁵ (In) tribe of Juda.

Bethphalei (Bethfali).²²⁶ Also Bethelei (not in Latin). (In) tribe of Juda.

Bērsabee.²²⁷ (In) tribe of Juda or Simeon. There is now a large village twenty miles south of Hebron in which a garrison of (Roman) soldiers is stationed. Here the territory of Judaea begins extending up to Dan near Paneas. Bersabee is interpreted "well of the oath" because there Abraham and Isaac swore (a pact of alliance) with Abimelech. It is not necessary to move the cities reported in Juda which are also found in Simeon and/or Benjamin. For since the tribe of Juda excelled in war it is likely that through a successful action, in the final description of the territory it was given a share of the inheritance allotted to the other tribes. Scripture indicates quite clearly that Simeon lived in the midst of Juda. [Once the men of the tribe of Juda were most warlike, strong and numerous, dominating all as the chief tribe and so therefore the lots of other tribes are occasionally reported as bound to it. Scripture also teaches quite clearly that Simeon dwelled in the mist of the tribe of Juda.]

Balaam (Balam).²²⁸ (In) tribe of Juda.

Baskōth (Bascath).²²⁹ (In) tribe of Juda.

Bethdagōn.²³⁰ (In) tribe of Juda. There is now (still today) a large village Keparadagōn (Caferdago) [pointed out] between Diosopolis and Iamnia.

Bēthalōth.²³¹ (In) tribe of Juda.

Bēthphou (Bathaffu).²³² (In) tribe of Juda. A village fourteen miles beyond Raphia on the road to Egypt. It is the border of Palestine.

Betharaba.²³³ Symmachus "near the uninhabitable" [translates "in the place which is near the uninhabitable," meaning desert.]

Beesthara.²³⁴ (In) tribe of Manasse. Separated to the Levites "in the Basanite" (region).

Bethaun.²³⁵ (In) tribe of Benjamin. Near Gai and Bethel, opposite Machmas, [which some regard to be the same as Bethel as said above].

[Baliloth.²³⁶ (In) tribe of Benjamin.]

Bethsour (Bethaur).²³⁷ (In) tribe of Juda or Benjamin. There is now a village Bēthsōrō at the twentieth milestone on the road going from Jerusalem to Hebron. (Near) there is also pointed out a spring coming out of the hill where it is said the eunuch Candaces was baptized by Philipp. (There is a spring arises at the foot of the hill and bubbles forth, and is swallowed by the ground.) There is also another Bethsour (in) the tribe of Juda one mile (a thousand paces) from Eleutheropolis.

Boon.²³⁸ (In) tribe of Benjamin.

[Bēthalōn.²³⁹ (In) tribe of Benjamin.] Symmachus (interprets) "in the field."

Bēthagla (Bethalla).²⁴⁰ (In) tribe of Benjamin.

[Bērōth.²⁴¹ (In) tribe of Benjamin.]

Bola.²⁴² (In) lot of (tribe of) Simeon.

Bathoul.²⁴³ (In) lot of (tribe of) Simeon.

[Bēth.²⁴⁴ (In) lot of (tribe of) Simeon.]

Baaleth.²⁴⁵ (In) lot of (tribe or) Simeon.

Bērammōth.²⁴⁶ (In) lot of (tribe of) Simeon.

[Bēthlabaōth.²⁴⁷ (In) lot of (tribe of) Simeon.]

Bethleem.²⁴⁸ (In) lot of (tribe of Zabulon. There is another one of Juda. (Distinct from the other named Bethleem of Juda.)

Bēthphasis (Bethfases).²⁴⁹ (In) tribe of Issachar.

Batnai (Batnae).²⁵⁰ (In) tribe of Aser. Now a village called Bethbeten (about) eight miles east of Ptolemais.

Bēthdagōn.²⁵¹ Linking up "with Zabulon." Lot of Issachar. (Place where the two tribes Zebulon and Issachar have common borders.)

Bēthaemek (Bethemec).²⁵² Symmachus (interprets) "of the valley" (place of the valley). Lot of Aser.

Bēthanatha (Bethana).²⁵³ (In) tribe of Nephthali. There is a village (named) Batanaia fifteen miles from Caesarea in which there are said to be healing baths. Note also (under the name) Anaia above.

Banē.²⁵⁴ (In) tribe of Dan.

Barakai (Barac).²⁵⁵ (In) tribe of Dan. There is even now [a little] village (called) Barka (Bareca) near Azotos.

JUDGES

Bezek (Bezec).²⁵⁶ City of (king) Adonibezek. There are now two villages (named) Bezek near each other seventeen miles from Neapolis on the road to Scythopolis (descending to).

Bēthsan.²⁵⁷ The tribe of Manasse "did not destroy" the heathen of this city (were not able to expel the original inhabitants). It is (now called) Scythopolis, a famous Palestinian city. The Scriptures call it also the house of San, which (in our language is interpreted "enemy") is "house of enmity."

Bethsames.²⁵⁸ Priestly city of (in) tribe of Benjamin. It is even now (today pointed out about) ten miles east of Eleutheropolis toward Nicopolis.

Bathma (Bethnath).²⁵⁹ (In) lot of (the tribe of) Nephthali. They did not destroy the heathen here. (But the tribe of Nephthali could not expel the former inhabitants from here.)

[Bethsames.²⁶⁰ Another one.] (The former inhabitants remained here.)

Baalermōn.²⁶¹ Mountain near Lebanon in the territory of the heathen (Allofylus).

Baleth (Baaleth).²⁶² (In) lot of (tribe of) Dan.

Bethbēra.²⁶³ (Interpreted house of) water (or well) which Gideon seized (by warlike expedition).

Bēthasetta.²⁶⁴ Where Madian fled (turned in flight).

Balanos (i.e., oak of) Sikimōn.²⁶⁵ Where Abimelech reigned. It is pointed out (up to today) in the suburbs of Neapolis toward the tomb of Joseph.

Borkonneim (Borconni).²⁶⁶Aquila "blackthorn" Symmachus (interpreted) "prickly plant."

Bēra.²⁶⁷ Where Joatham stood when he fled from Abimelech. The village (Bera) is eight miles north of Eleutheropolis.

Baalthamar.²⁶⁸ Near Gaba. Where the children of Israel prepared for war against the tribe of' Benjamin. This place (little town) is also (even today) called Beththamar (as noted above).

KINGS

Bēthchōr (Bethchur).²⁶⁹ Where (up to this place) the people pursued closely (the fleeing) "heathen." It is also called "the s tone of help."

Bama.²⁷⁰ Where Saul ate with Samuel when he was about to be anointed king. Aquila translates for Bama "hill."

Bōsēs.²⁷¹ Name of a rock. [About which we speak in the book Hebrew Questions.]

Basōr (Besor).²⁷² Wadi to which David came.

Bōrasan.²⁷³ Where (place to which) David sent some of "the spoils."

Baoureim (Baurim).²⁷⁴ Where (place to which) her weeping husband followed Michol, Saul's daughter.

Baalasōr.²⁷⁵ "Near Ehraim" where "(the sheep) of Absalom" were shorn.

[Bēthmacha.²⁷⁶ (Here Joab followed the fleeing Seba and afterwards, we read, it was taken by the Assyrian king. There is now a village called) Machamim] (in the eighth mile going up from Eleutheropolis to Jerusalem).

Balth (Balaath).²⁷⁷ City which Solomon built.

Baithsarisa (Bethsarisa).²⁷⁸ Where the man came to (the prophet) Eliseus (with his gifts). It is in the boundary of (a village of) Diospolis fifteen miles to the north in the Thamnitica.

Baithaggan (Bethagan).²⁷⁹ Road through which (we read) Ochozias fled.

[Basekath (Bazeoath).²⁸⁰ Ancient city of Judaea.]

Baithakath (Bethacath).²⁸¹ (Village of Samaria) to which Jehu went. There is a village of Samaria (located not more than) fifteen Miles from (the city of) Legeōn in the great plain. Aquila (interprets) "house of bending" Symmachus "separated house." [This is because of the narrow and low entrance of such a separated house and because one is not able to stand up on entering.]

Baithannē (Baenith).²⁸² Also Bainith. The Samaritans (who were brought from) Babylon built this.

Bublos (Byblus).²⁸³ City of the Phoenicians. In Ezechiel. For this the Hebrews have Gobel.

Boubastos (Bubastus).²⁸⁴ City of Egypt in Ezechiel.

Bōz.²⁸⁵ In the land of Kedar. In Jeremia (as Jeremia writes).

Bēl.²⁸⁶ Idol of Babylon.

THE GOSPELS

Bēthsaida.²⁸⁷ City of "Andrew and Peter" and Philipp (the apostles). Located in Galilee on (near) the Lake of Gennesareth.

Bēthphagē (Bethfage).²⁸⁸ (Little) village on the Mt. of Olives where the Lord Jesus came.

Bēthania.²⁸⁹ Village two miles from Jerusalem on the slope of the Mt. of Olives where the Christ (Savior) raised Lazarus. The place (tomb) of Lazarus is pointed out even now [where a church has been constructed.]

Bēthaabara (Bethabara).²⁹⁰ "Where John was baptizing" (the penitent) "across the Jordan." The place is pointed out where many of the brothers even now consider it an honor to wash. (Where today many of the brothers, the believers, desiring a renewal of life are baptized in the Depths.)

Bēzatha (Bethsaida).²⁹¹ Pool in Jerusalem which is (called probatike and interpreted by us) "sheep." Once it had five porticos. There are now pointed out twin pools, of which one is filled by the rain water (winter rains) and the other it appears that the water becomes miraculously red, as they say, bearing the traces of the sacrificial victims formerly washed in it. So it is called the sheep after the sacrifice. (Red like blood which in itself is seen as a sign of old. The sacrificial victims were brought unbound by the priests into the bath, whence it received its name.)