the Third Week of Advent
Click here to learn more!
Bible Encyclopedias
Achshaph
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
or (Heb. Akshaph', אִבְשָׁ Š, fascination: Sept. Ἀχασάφ) a royal city of the Canaanites, in the northern part of Palestine (Joshua 11:1) whose king was overthrown by Joshua (Joshua 12:20). It was situated on the eastern boundary of the tribe of Asher, and is named between Beten and Alammelech (Joshua 19:25). By some (see Reland, Paloest, p. 543) it has been regarded as the same as Achzib, but this is mentioned separately (Joshua 19:29). By others (e.g. Hammesveld, 3, 237) it has been assumed to be the same as Accho or Acre, and Schwarz (Palest. p. 191) thinks it is the modern village Kefr-Yasif, five miles north-east of that town; but this region is too far west for the Biblical notices. Eusebius and Jerome (Onomast. s.v. Ἀκσαφ ) locate it at the foot of Mount Tabor, eight miles from Diocaesarea; but they have evidently confounded it with Chesulloth (see Keil's Comment. on Joshua 11:1). Dr. Robinson is probably correct in identifying it with the ruined village Kesaf, around a large tree, two miles north-east of Kubrikah, a little south of the Litany, and nearly midway between the Mediterranean and the Upper Jordan (new ed. of Researches, 3, 55).
Tristram identifies this town with the modern Khaifa, at the mouth of the Kishon, north of Carmel (Bible Places, p. 215); but with little probability, as Khaifa, seems to be the חו , choph (cove), or "haven" of Asher and Zebulon (Genesis 49:13; "sea-side," Deuteronomy 1:7; "shore," Judges 5:17; Jeremiah 47:7; "coast," Joshua 9:1; Ezekiel 25:16).
These files are public domain.
McClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Achshaph'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/tce/a/achshaph.html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870.
