1 Kings 9:18

Verse 18. Baalath. There were several towns of this name. Joshua 19:44. Calmet.—Palmira. Hebrew Tamor, “a palm-tree.” Calmet.—But the d is preserved in the margin, as well as in some MSS. and in the ancient versions; and is read, Tadmor, in Chronicles. Kennicott.—Prot. have also, “Tadmor, in the wilderness, in the land.” Bible.—Le Clerc adds, “of Aram,” or Syria of Soba. 2 Chronicles 8:3, 4. Palmira, famous for its water and fertile soil, was the boundary of the Roman and Parthian empires, (Plin. verse 25.) surrounded on all sides by vast deserts, and built by Solomon for the advantage of travellers, a day’s journey from the Euphrates. Joseph. viii. 6.—Superb ruins are still to be seen, and various pagan inscriptions, in Greek. There are others in an unknown language, which might relate to the Jewish or Christian affairs. See Phil. Transac. Oct. 1695. Brun.—The city was destroyed by the emperor Aurelian. Calmet.