Eleutherus
LocationsGeographical Setting
The Eleutheros, known today as the Litani River, is a major watercourse in southern Lebanon that historically demarcated the boundary between the regions of Phoenicia and Coele-Syria.
What is the meaning of Eleutherus in the Bible?
A river separating Syria and Phoenicia. It appears in 1 Maccabees 11:7 and 12:30.
SIGNIFICANCE
Identifying the Eleutheros clarifies the territorial limits of the Hasmonean kingdom and the extent of Seleucid influence described in the Maccabean narratives.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Geopolitical & Terrain Context: Eleutherus (located near modern Litani River, Lebanon) 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 Eleutherus in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Eleutherus 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
"Eleutherus." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/eleutherus/