Casphon
Cas´Phon (Χασφών v. r. Χασφώρ and Χασφώθ, 1 Macc. 5:36) Or Cas´Phor (Χασφώρ v. r. Χασφών and Χάσφωθ, 1 Macc. 5:26), one of the fortified cities in the "land of Galaad," i.e. Gilead (1 Macc. 5:26), in which the Jews took refuge from the Ammonites under Timotheus (comp. ver. 6), and which, with other cities, was taken by Judas Maccabseus (5:36). Josephus, in the parallel account (Ant. 12:8, 3), calls it Chasphoma (Χάσφωμα). Grotius and Calmet (in loc.) consider it the same (but on very slight grounds) with HESHBON SEE HESHBON (q.v.). It was situated near Bostra, Ashtaroth-Karnaimn, and Edrei, and was perhaps one of the ruined sites in the Hauran still found by travelers. SEE HAURAN. Seetzen's commentators (notes on pt. 7, March, 1806, 4:198) suggest the modern esSzbân as the possible site of Casphon, but add, "Site, however, uncertain." SEE CASPIS.
