Dathema

DATHEMA dăth’ ə mə (Δάθεμα). A fortress (1 Macc 5:29) in Gilead where the Jews found refuge from the Syrians. They were besieged there by the Syrians until Judas Maccabeus and his brother Jonathan rescued them. The town lay a night’s march from Bosora. Attempts to locate it have failed. Some think it is the modern Remtheh (Syr. of 1 Macc has “Rametha”) or Dameh, if the Syr. is a mistake for “Damtha.” Another possibility is Athaman, E of el-Muzerib.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (1915)

A stronghold (1 Macc 5:29) in Gilead to which the Jews fled for refuge from the heathen (1 Macc 5:9). They were delivered by Judas and Jonathan his brother. It was within a night’s march from Bosora. It may possibly be identical with `Athaman which lies East of el-Muzeribe in disputing the authority of Moses and Aaron in the wilderness (Nu 16-17; 26; De 11:6; Ps 106:17). Other followers of Korah perished by fire before the tent of meeting, but Dathan and Abiram were swallowed up by the earth, with their families and their goods, at their tents.