Capharsalama

CAPHARSALAMA kăf’ ər săl’ ə mə (Χαφαρσαλαμά) is the unknown site of an indecisive skirmish between Judas Maccabeus and Nicanor, officer of the king of Syria and governor of Judea. 1 Maccabees 7:26-32 reports that Nicanor “treacherously” attempted to seize Judas. Learning that his plan had been discovered Nicanor “went out to meet Judas in a battle near Capharsalama.” After losing 500 men Nicanor “fled into the city of David.” Χαφάρ means village or hamlet. Σάλαμα has been identified with Siloam and also with Khirbet Deir-Sallam which is about twelve m. W of Jerusalem.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (1915)

kaf-ar-sal’-a-ma, kaf-ar-sala’-ma (Chapharsalama): The site of an indecisive skirmish between Judas Maccabeus and Nicanor, an officer of the king of Syria and governor of Judea. The situation cannot be precisely fixed but it must have been in the neighborhood of Jerusalem, for Nicanor, after losing 5,000 men, retired with the remainder to "the city of David" (1 Macc 7:26-32). The first part of the word, "Caphar," means village or hamlet; the last part has been identified with Siloam and also with Khirbet Deir Sellam, about 12 1/2 miles West of Jerusalem.