Dathema
Dath'ema (Λιάθεμα; Alex. and Josephus, Δάθεμα; other MSS. Δάμεθα; Vulg. Dathema), a fortress. (τὸ ὀχύρωμα; Joseph. φρούριον) in which the Jews of Gilead took refuge from the heathen (1 Maccabees 5:9; Joseph. Ant. 12:8, 1). Here they were relieved by Judas and Jonathan (1 Maccabees 5:24). They marched from Bozora to Dathema (ver. 28, 29), and left it for Maspha (Mizpeh) (ver. 35). The reading of the Peshito, Ramtha, points to Ramoth-Gilead, which can hardly fail to be the correct identification. Ewald, however, Gesch. Isr. 3, 2, p. 359, note), would correct this to Damtha, which he compares with Dhamri, a place reported by Burckhardt (Syr. 1. 196).
