Jokneam (2)

Jokneam Of Tell Keimun, the modem representative of this place, a brief account may be found in the Memoirs accompanying the Ordnance Survey (2:48), and of the few remaining antiquities (page 69). A freer description is given by Lieut. Conder (Tent Work, 1:131):

"North of Lejjun the great Wady el-Milh runs down from the white plateau of the 'Breezy Land,' which it separates from the southern end of Carmel. Here at the mouth stands a huge tell or mound called Keimun, on which are remains of a little Byzantine chapel, and of a small fort erected by the famous native chief Dhahr el-

Amr. The Samaritans have a curious legend connected with this site. According to them Joshua was challenged by the giants, and enclosed here with his army in seven walls of iron. A dove carried his message thence to Nabih, king of the tribes east of Jordan, who came to his assistance. The magic walls fell down, and the king of Persia, Shobek, was transfixed by an arrow which nailed him on his horse to the ground.

⇒Bible concordance for JOKNEAM.

"The present name is a slight modification of the ancient Jokneam of Carmel, but the Crusaders seem to have been puzzled by it, and transformed Keimfn into Cain Mons, or Mount Cain, whence arose the curious legend that Cain was here slain with an arrow by Lamech, which they supposed to be the murder referred to in the Song of Lamech (Ge 4:23). The chapel no doubt shows the spot once held to be the site of the death of Cain, but the derivation of the name was as fanciful as that of Haifa from Cephas or from Caiaphas the high-priest."

⇒See also the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia.