Aphek
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The name Aphek refers to either:
- A place at which the Philistines encamped while the Israelites pitched in Eben-Ezer, before the battle in which the sons of Eli were killed. "And the word of Samuel was revealed to all Israel. And Israel went out to meet the Philistines for battle. And they pitched beside Ebenezer, and the Philistines pitched in Aphek ". (1 Samuel 4:1 )
- A city of the tribe of Issachar, near to Jezreel (1 Sam. 4:1; 29:1; comp. 28:4). The scene of another encampment of the Philistines, which led to the defeat and death of Saul.
- A town on the road from Damascus to Palestine, near which Benhadad was defeated by the Israelites (1 Kings 20:26, 30; 2 Kings 13:17): "And it happened at the turn of the year, Ben-hadad called up the Syrians, and went up to Aphek to fight against Israel".1 Kings 20:26.
It is now found in Fik, at the head of the Wady Fik, six miles east of the Sea of Galilee, near kibbuts Afik in the Golan Heights.