Bethany: House of dates.1. The Revised Version in
(John 1:28) has this word instead of
Bethabara, on the authority of the oldest manuscripts. It
appears to have been the name of a place on the east of Jordan.
2. A village on the south-eastern slope of the Mount of Olives
(Mark 11:1) about 2 miles east of Jerusalem, on the road to
Jericho. It derived its name from the number of palm-trees
which grew there. It was the residence of Lazarus and his
sisters. It is frequently mentioned in connection with
memorable incidents in the life of our Lord
(Matthew 21:17; 26:6)
(Mark 11:11,12; 14:3; Luke 24:50; John 11:1; 12:1) It is now known by the
name of el-Azariyeh, i.e., "place of Lazarus," or simply
Lazariyeh. Seen from a distance, the village has been described
as "remarkably beautiful, the perfection of retirement and
repose, of seclusion and lovely peace." Now a mean village,
containing about twenty families.
