Smith's Bible Dictionary. (for his father), a town to which the soldiers conveyed St. Paul by night on their march. Ac 23:31 Its ancient name was Capharsaba; and Herod, when he rebuilt the city, changed it to Antipatris, in honor of his father, Antipater. The village Kefr-Sabba still retains the ancient name of Antipatris. /smiths/A/Antipatris/
(Pegai): Ras el-`Ain. Former Aphek, called in Greek `Pegai' (springs).Aphek was
an important station on the ancient Via Maris, and was mentioned in the list of
Pharaoh Thutmosis III. It was here that Joshua had expelled the king of Aphek, a
ruler of Canaan (Josh 12:18). This is also the place with the Philistines had
gathered a great army to battle against Israel (1 Sam 4:1; Ezra 4:6-9). During
the Hellenistic period a fort was built at this location. In 132 B.C. John
Hyrcanus I conquered it, the name at that time was Arethusa which implied rich
sources of water.
When Herod the Great ascended to power he renamed it Antipatris, after his
father Antipater. This new city became the center of a district of many
prosperous cities. Paul spent the night here when he was sent under escort from
Jerusalem to Caesarea (Acts 23:31).
The site is identified with Tell Ras el-Ain, which is very rich in springs and
vegetation. There is a Turkish citadel on the mound today built on the remains
of a Crusader castle. It has been extensively excavated.
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Antipatris in Bible Cities
More about Ancient Antipatris
Antipatris Scriptures
Acts 23:31 - Then the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul, and brought [him] by night to Antipatris.