A region in the midst of the Anti-Lebanon about 30km north-west of Damascus. It is mentioned only once in the Bible as a chronological footnote to the ministry of John the Baptist: "In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar—when . . . Lysanias [was] tetrach of Abilene—. . . the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the desert" (Lk 3:1-2).
Abilene was added to Herod Agrippa I's kingdom by Emperor Gaius in 37 AD, and to Herod Agrippa II's in 53 AD by Emperor Claudius.
©ALBERITH