Narbata

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NARBATA

NARBATA , Jewish district E. of Caesarea, which perhaps inherited the name of Arubboth in the third district of Solomon (i Kings 4:10); it appears in the Book of Maccabees (i Macc. 5:23) as Arbatta, a city from which Simeon evacuated Jews at the beginning of the Hasmonean revolt. In 66 c.e., the Jews of Caesarea moved to the toparchy of Narbata because of persecution (Jos., Wars. 2:291). It is mentioned (in a different form) in the Jerusalem Talmud as the site of an inn (Ber. 6:1, 10b). The district of Narbata was inhabited by a mixture of Jews, Samaritans, and pagans. It is identified with Khirbat Baydūs, where there are remains of a town of the Roman period.

bibliography:

Avi-Yonah, Geog, 127 (incl. bibl.).

[Michael Avi-Yonah]