Azmon

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AZMON

AZMON (Heb. עַצְמוֹן), a point on the southern boundary of Ereẓ Israel between Hazar-Addar and the Brook of Egypt (Wadi al-ʿArīsh; Num. 34:4–5; cf. Josh. 15:4). In the Targumim it is called קֵיסָם or קְסָם. *Abel has identified it with Ayn al-Quṣayma but exploration of the Kadesh Oasis has suggested a height nearer Be'erotayim (Bīr (Biʿr) Bīrayn). Azmon is mentioned by Eusebius (Onom. 14:14) and also appears on the Madaba Map, south of Elusa. Azmon is also the name of a mountain near Sepphoris to which the Jewish rebels fled at the approach of *Cestius Gallus and his army during the Jewish War in 66 c.e. (Jos., Wars, 2:511). Mt. Azmon (Arab: Jebel al-Daydaba) is 1,798 ft. (548 m.) high, composed of dolomitic and chalky rock. The name Azmon was erroneously applied to Mt. Meron.

bibliography:

Abel, Geog, 1 (1933), 79, 306; 2 (1938), 47; Avi-Yonah, Madaba Map (1954), 100; Avi Yonah, Geog, 135; Aharoni, Land, 63, 65.

[Michael Avi-Yonah]

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