Volume 2

Betharamphtha-Julias
343
from which was obtained the copper that was wrought in
Ephron. There were some Rechabites in Betharamphtha,
and among them priests. Those of Ephron appeared to
me to be under their jurisdiction.
The city was large and extended far around a mountain.
The western part was inhabited by Jews, the eastern
and a portion of the heights by idolaters. The two quarters
were separated by a walled-in road and a pleasure
garden full of shady walks. High on the mountain arose a
beautiful castle with its towers, its gardens, and trees. It
was occupied by a divorced wife of the Tetrarch Philip,
who had settled upon her all the revenues of this part of
his territory. She was descended from the kings of
Gessur, and had with her five daughters already well
grown. She was named Abigail and, although tolerably
advanced in years, was still active and beautiful. Her disposition
was full of goodness and benevolence.
Philip was older than Herod of Pera and Galilee. He
was a pagan of peaceable inclinations, but a lover of
pleasure. He was half-brother of the other Herod, born
of a different mother, and had first nlarried a widow with
one daughter. When Abigail's husband was dispatched by
Philip to a war or to Ronle, I know not which, he left his
wife behind. She meanwhile was seduced by Philip, who
married her, whereupon her husband died of grief. When
after some years Philip's first wife, whom he had repudiated
for the sake of Abigail, was about to die, she begged
him on her deathbed to have pity at least on her
daughter. Philip, who had by this time grown tired of
Abigail, married his step-daughter, and banished Abigail
and her five daughters to Betharamphtha, called also
Julias in honor of a Roman empress. Here she occupied
herself in doing good. She was favorably disposed toward
the Jews, and cherished a great desire after truth and
salvation. She was, however, under the watchful guardianship
of some of Philip's officers, who had to render an