EMATH (Hebr. Hännath). — I. Most ancient city of Syria, connected with the ports of Arado (Arvad) and Simira (Gen. 18, 8), noted in the list of Thutmose III and occupied by the Hittites, as evidenced by numerous inscriptions.
Thou, its king, congratulated David on his victory over Hadadezer, their common enemy (II Sam. 8, 9-11). It seems that in Solomon’s time it was tributary to the Israelites, but at the king’s death, with the division of the Kingdom, it regained its independence, only to fall again under the kings of Israel with Jeroboam II (II Par. 8, 4; II Reg. 14, 28).
At the battle of Qarqar (854) it was allied with Be