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Bible Dictionaries
Peraea
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible
or PERÆA. The district called by Josephus ‘the Peræa’ is referred to in NT as ‘beyond Jordan’ ( Matthew 4:16 etc.). When Josephus says that it stretches from Machærus to Pella, and from Philadelphia ( ’Ammân ) to the Jordan, he probably gives political boundaries, excluding Decapolis ( BJ III. iii. 3), since (IV. vii. 3, 6) Gadara is called the capital of the Peræa. The name seems to have covered the ancient ‘Land of Gilead,’ what is now known as Jebel ‘Ajlûn and et-Betkâ . It is perhaps the most picturesque and beautiful part of Palestine. Rough mountain heights rise from the midst of wooded slopes, while rich fields stretch between; anon romantic vales break down into mighty gorges, where the sound of running water makes music all the year. The olive and vine flourish, and good harvests reward the husbandman’s toil.
The removal of the Jews from the Peræa by Judas ( 1Ma 5:45 ) left it in Gentile hands. Later, the Jews resumed possession and control. Alexander Jannæus held sway from the Dead Sea to the roots of Hermon. Peræa was given as a tetrarchy to Pheroras, the brother of Herod ( Ant . XV. x. 3, etc.), and later to Herod Antipas (XVII. viii. 1). From Peræa, Simon made his ill-starred raid upon Jericho (XVII. x. 6). It was part of the jurisdiction of Felix ( BJ II. xii. 8). Manasseh was made governor after the disaster to Cestius (II. xx. 4). Placidus effected its final subjugation to the Romans (IV. vii. 3, 6). It was attached by the Moslems to the province of Damascus, Subsequently it was under Kerak.
The Mishna recognizes the Peræa the land beyond Jordan as a province of the land of Israel, ranking with Judæa and Galilee on the west. On the border of the Peræa probably Jesus was baptized. It was the scene of happy and profitable intercourse with His disciples (Matthew 19:1 etc.). It furnished the retreat from Jewish enmity, whence He was summoned by the distress at Bethany ( John 10:40 etc.). The most horrible story connected with the siege of Jerusalem is that of Mary, a native of the Peræa ( BJ VI. iii. 4). In the Peræa to-day the Jew is represented only by the travelling tinsmith and the pedlar. Colonies of Circassians are turning the soil to good account, e.g . at Jerash. At es-Salt the natives pursue a profitable trade in raisins, while in the barrîyeh , the uncultivated parts, the nomads find good pasture for their flocks.
W. Ewing.
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Hastings, James. Entry for 'Peraea'. Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/hdb/p/peraea.html. 1909.
