Charax; Characa
LocationsGeographical Setting
Charax is a geographical site referenced in the deuterocanonical Book of Maccabees as a settlement east of the Jordan River inhabited by the Tubieni.
What is the meaning of Charax; Characa in the Bible?
A location mentioned in 2 Maccabees 12:17, situated east of the Jordan River and 750 stadia from Caspis, inhabited by a group known as the Tubieni.
SIGNIFICANCE
Identifying Charax provides geographical context for the military campaigns described in 2 Maccabees, illustrating the extent of Jewish settlement and interaction in the Transjordanian region during the Hellenistic period.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Geopolitical & Terrain Context: Charax; Characa held strategic importance. Understanding its position and trade routes explains why key biblical events unfolded here.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Charax; Characa in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Charax; Characa clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Charax; Characa." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/charax-characa/