SAREPTA (Hebr. Sáréphath; Septuagint Σάρεπτα). — Formerly a city of Phoenicia, 15 km south of Sidon (v.). It has remained famous because the prophet Elijah, passing through there, multiplied flour and oil for a widow whose son he healed (I Reg. 17:9–24). The event was recalled by Jesus in the synagogue of Nazareth to show the care shown by pagans for the prophets, in contrast to Israel (Lc. 4:24–26). During the Byzantine period the city extended along the sea for nearly 2 km, so that it was called Macracome (“long village”).
The memory of Elijah was associated with a church that is now replaced by a well of Hadīr (“verdant”), the name that Muslims attribute to Elijah, whereas Christians often give it to St. George. During the Crusader period it was an episcopal see and was renowned for its gardens. After the fall of the Latin Kingdom, the city was abandoned, and its inhabitants moved to a hill to the east, founding the present village of Şarfand, which has 1,300 inhabitants. The memory of Elijah continued to be venerated by pilgrims, as it still is today, at the site of the ancient city.