What is…
Abilene in the Bible
Meaning: a plain
This was the name of a district or province on the east slope of the Anti-Lebanon mountain range. It was named from its capital city, Abila Lysaniou (Luke 3:1), which stood in the Souk Wadi Barada (aka Souq Wadi Barada, Suk Wady Barada, Wadi-Barada, or Abil-es-Suk), between Heliopolis (Baalbec) and Damascus, 38 miles from the former and 18 from the latter.
Abila is on the Abana River. The ruins of Abila include a temple, aqueducts, inscriptions and other artifacts.
To the west of Abila on the coast of Syria are the ancient cities of Tyre and Sidon.
Lysanias was governor or tetrarch of this province.
Site of ancient Abila next to the Abana River, now Souk Wadi Barada in modern Syria—satellite view
More information
- Who is Lysanias?
- What are the cities of the Bible? Names, descriptions, locations and types
- Places of the Bible
Article Version: May 22, 2024