As'phar (Α᾿σφάρ v. r. Α᾿σφάδ, 1 Mace. 9:33), a "pool" (λάκκος, not sea, as the Vulg. and some other versions render, but which often stands in the Sept. for בּוֹר, a pit, or בּאֵר, a well), i.e. fountain or cistern in the south or south-east of Palestine (in the " wilderness of Thecoe" or Tekoa), where the Jews under Jonathan Maccabaeus had an encampment at the beginning of their struggle with Bacchides (see Josephus. Ant. 13:1, 2); meaning doubtless (if the Dead [Asphaltic] Sea, as Grotius and others suppose) some considerable reservoirs in the direction of Arabia (comp. ver. 35), near the territory of the Nabathaeans (see Diod. Sic. 19:94).
The Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature was edited by John McClintock and James Strong. It contains nearly 50,000 articles pertaining to Biblical and other religious literature, people, creeds, etc. It is a fantastic research tool for broad Christian study.
John McClintock was born October 27, 1814 in Philadelphia to Irish immigrants, John and Martha McClintock. He began as a clerk in his father's store, and then became a bookkeeper in the Methodist Book Concern in New York. Here he converted to Methodism and considered joining the ministry. McClintock entered the University of Pennsylvania in 1832 and graduated with high honors three years later. Subsequently, he was awarded a doctorate of divinity degree from the same institution in 1848.WikipediaRead More