ABEL (Hebr. Abhèl “meadow”; perhaps, however, an Aramaization from the Canaanite abil “canal”). — Name of five Palestinian or Transjordanian localities.
1. Abel beth-Maacha “A. Maacha (v.)”, or Abel Majim “A. of the water”, or simply A. A fortified city on the northern frontier of the Israelite territory, near Dan. Seba took refuge there, pursued by Joab; but the city, “a mother in Israel,” proverbially wise and peaceful, threw Seba’s head over the walls to Joab, who lifted the siege (II Sam. 20, 14-19). Benhadad captured it from Baasa, king of Israel (I Reg. 15, 20; II Par. 16, 4). Tiglath-pileser occupied it along with the other cities of Naphtali and deported its inhabitants to Assyria (II Reg. 15, 29). Today it is probably Abil el-Kameh, west of Banias.
2. Abel-satim (Vulgate; Hebr. Abel ha-Sittim “A. of the acacias,” or also simply Settim [Sittim]). Israelite encampment before crossing the Jordan (Num. 25, 1; 33, 49; Ios. 2, 1; 3, 1; Mich. 6, 5); today Tell Kefrein, 11 km. east of the Jordan, in the direction of Jericho (according to a few, Wadi es-Sejale, 5 km. farther south).
3. Abel-kéramim “A. of the vineyards.” Ammonite village (Iudc. 11, 33) situated, according to the Onomasticon of Eusebius (32, 14-16), 6 or 7 miles (about 10 km.) from Philadelphia (v. RABBĀH); perhaps it is present-day Na'ur or, according to others, Abil ez-Zait.
4. Abel-mehula (Hebr. Abel Meholāh “A. of the dance”). Homeland of Elisha (Iudc. 7, 22; I Reg. 4, 12; 19, 16); perhaps it is present-day Tell Abu Sifri, about 15 km. south of Beisan.
5. Abel Misrajim “A. of Egypt,” interpreted by Gen. 50, 11 as “the mourning (èbel) of the Egyptians,” because there
Joseph and his brothers mourned the death of Jacob. Situated east of the Jordan, it is perhaps present-day Tell el-Ağlah or Hirbet Gharbe.
The Abel magnus (of the Vulgate) in I Sam. 6, 18 corresponds to the Hebr. Abel ha-gédholāh; but, with the Septuagint and Targum, it should be read eben ha-gédholāh, that is, “the great stone” (cf. vv. 14 ff.).