Βηθανίᾳ, with א1ABC1, for Βηθαβαρᾷ of T. R., supported (in spite of Origen’s defence of it) by only a small minority.

28. Βηθανίᾳ. This, which is the true reading, was altered to Βηθαβαρᾷ owing to the powerful influence of Origen, who could find no Bethany beyond Jordan in his day. In 200 years the very name of an obscure place might easily perish. Origen says that almost all the old MSS. had Βηθανίᾳ. This Bethany or Bethabara must have been near Galilee: comp. John 1:29, with John 1:43, and see on the ‘four days,’ John 11:17. It is possible to reconcile the two readings. Bethabara has been identified with ’Abârah, one of the main Jordan fords about 14 miles S. of the sea of Galilee: and ‘Bethania beyond Jordan’ has been identified with Bashan; Bethania or Batanea being the Aramaic form of the Hebrew Bashan, meaning ‘soft level ground.’ Bethabara is the village or ford; Bethania the district E. of the ford. Conder, Handbook of the Bible, pp. 315, 320. The Jordan had grand historical associations: to make men pass through its waters might seem to some a preparation for conquests like those of Joshua.

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Old Testament