Lexical Definition

‎Ἀβιληνή‎ Abilēnḗ (ab-ee-lay-nay') Abilene ^N:N-F-L
of foreign origin (compare ‎אָבֵל‎)

Abilene.

• Abilene, a region of Syria

Abbott-Smith

Ἀβιληνή v.s. Ἀβειληνή.

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Abilene • A region ruled by Lysanias when John began preaching.

Abilene, a region north of Damascus, ruled by the tetrarch Lysanias.

• A location only mentioned at Luk.3.1;
• only referred to as Abilene Ἀβιληνή.
  

Abilene was a region located north of Damascus, Syria, mentioned in Luke 3:1 as being under the rule of Lysanias the tetrarch when John the Baptist began his ministry. The name Abilene is derived from its capital city, Abila. Inscriptions found near Abila refer to a Lysanias as tetrarch and mention the "Abilenians," confirming the existence of this region. The exact boundaries of Abilene are unclear, but it was situated in the Anti-Lebanon mountain range, likely in the area of the modern village of Suk Wady Barada. Abilene is only mentioned in passing in the Bible as a geographical reference point for the beginning of John's ministry.

All entries for Abilene: Ἀβιληνή