Arimathaea

The only suggestion of a modern site for this place, except Ramleh, which has been offered, is that of Renthieh, "a miserable hamlet on an isolated ledge of rock which protrudes in the midst of the plain" not far south of Ludd; but Dr. Robinson, who suggests the possible identity, gives urgent reasons against it (Later Researches, p. 141). In the absence of any other plausible site, we may as well acquiesce in that of Ramleh. For a further description of this place see Porter, Handbook for Syria, p. 112; Bdeker, Palest. I p. 133 sq.; Conder, Tent Work. i, 6 sq. See RAMAH

[Arimathae’a]

The city of Joseph, the ’honourable counsellor,’ who was permitted by Pilate to take down the body of the Lord and bury it in his own new to tomb. Mat 27:57; Mar 15:43; Luk 23:51; Joh 19:38. It has not been identified, but has been supposed to be the same as Ramah, the birth-place of Samuel.

ARIMATHaeA (Ἁριμαθαία) is mentioned in Mat 27:57, Mar 15:43, Luk 23:51, and Joh 19:38 as the place from which Joseph, who buried the body of Jesus, came up to Jerusalem. In the Onomasticon (225. 12) it is identified with Ἁρμαθὲμ Σειφά (Ramathaimzophim^{* [Note: On this name (which is almost certainly based on a textual corruption), see Hastings’ DB, vol. iv. p. 198a note.]} ), the city of Elkanah and Samuel (1Sa 1:1), near Diospolis (Lydda) and in the district of Timnah (Tibneh). In 1Ma 11:34, Ramathem is referred to along with Aphaerema and Lydda as a Samaritan toparchy transferred, in 145 b.c., to Judaea. These notices of Ramathaim point to Beit-Rima, 13 miles E.N.E. of Lydda, and 2 miles N. of Timnah,—an identification adopted by G. A. Smith (HGH^{L [Note: GHL Historical Geog. of Holy Land.]} 254 n^{. [Note: note.]} 7) and Buhl (GA^{P [Note: AP Geographic des alten Palästina.]} 170). Another possible site is Râm-allah, 3 miles S.W. of Bethel, suggested by Ewald (Hist. ii. 421). The proposed sites S. of Jerusalem are not ‘in the hill-country of Ephraim’ (1Sa 1:1). If Arimathaea, then, be identified with the Ramathaim of Elkanah, it may well be at the modern hill-village of Beit-Rima. The LXX Septuagint form of Ramathaim is Ἁρμαθαίμ (1Sa 1:1 and elsewhere), thus providing a link between Ramathaim and Arimathaea.

A. W. Cooke.

ARIMATHÆA (Mat 27:57, Mar 15:43, Luk 23:51, Joh 19:38).—A place known only in connexion with Joseph. It was probably near Lydda.

ar-i-ma-thē´a (Ἀριμαθαία, Arimathaı́a): “A city of the Jews,” the home of Joseph in whose sepulchre the body of Jesus was laid. Its identity is the subject of much conjecture. The Onomasticon of Eusebius and Jerome identifies it with Ramathaim-Zophim in the hill-country of Ephraim (1Sa 11:1-15), which is Ramah the birthplace and burial-place of Samuel (1Sa 1:19; 1Sa 25:1), and places it near Timnah on the borders of Judah and Dan. G. A. Smith thinks it may be the modern Beit Rima, a village on an eminence 2 miles North of Timnah. Others incline to Ramallah, 8 miles North of Jerusalem and 3 miles from Bethel (Mat 27:57; Mar 15:43; Luk 23:51; Joh 19:38).