[3708] The Lebanon of Scripture. This intervening space, the ancient Cœle-Syria, is now inhabited by the Druses.
[3709] Perhaps the modern Nahr-el-Damur.
[3710] Now Beyrout. By some it has been identified with the Berotha, or Berothai, of the Hebrew Scriptures. Its full name as a Roman colony was, “Colonia Julia Augusta Felix Berytus.” It was colonized by the veterans of the Fifth, or Macedonian, and the Eighth, or Augustan, Legions. Beyrout, or Berut, is now, in a commercial point of view, the most important place in Syria.
[3711] Nothing is known of this place. The name seems to mean, the “Town of the Lion.”
[3712] Now the Nahr-el-Kelb, or “Dog’s River.”
[3713] The site of this place seems not to be known.
[3714] Now the Nahr-el-Ibrahim.
[3715] The modern town which stands on its site is called Jebeil. It is situate at the foot of Lebanon. The ancient name seems to have been Gebal, and the Geblites are mentioned in Joshua, xiii. 5; 1 Kings, v. 18; and Ezek. xxvii. 9. The ruins of the ancient city are very extensive. Astarte and Isis seem to have been worshipped here.
[3716] Now Batrun, a small town about twelve miles north of Byblus, said to have been founded by Ithobal, king of Tyre.
[3717] Now Gazir, according to D’Anville.