Char'aca (Xάραξ, Vulg. Characa), a place obscurely mentioned only in 2 Macc. 12:17 (εἰς τὸν Χάρακα), as that to which Judas Maccabaeus retired after his attack of the Nabatheeans. It was on the east of Jordan, being inhabited by the Jews called "Tubieni," or of "Tobie" (see Ton), who were in Gilead (comp. 1 Macc. 5:9,13); and it was 750 stadia from the city Caspin; but where the latter place was situated, or in which direction Charax was with regard to it, there is no clew. Ewald (Isr. Gesch. 4:359, note) places it to the extreme east, and identifies it with Raphon. The only name now known on the east of Jordan which recalls Charax is Kerak, the ancient KIR- Moab, on the S.E. of the Dead Sea, which in post-biblical times was called Χαράκμωβα, and Μωβουχάραξ (see Reland, Palcest. p. 705). The Syriac has Karka, which suggests Karkor (Jg 8:10).
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