HAROD cfln ; Sept. orrnyi7 'Ape& The fountain (A. V., well ') of Harod'), a fountain • which became the scene of one of the most re markable victories, and one of the most memorable defeats, in the annals of Israel. Its site is fixed by one or two incidental notices in the Bible. When the Midianites and Arnalekites invaded western Palestine, they pitched in the valley of Jezreel' (Judg. vi. 33). Gideon hastily summoned around him the warriors of the northern tribes, and marched ao-ainst them. He pitched beside the well of Haro'cl, so that the host of the Midian ites were on tbe north side of them by the hill of Moreh, in the valley' (vii. 1). The valley' of Jez reel here referred to is an eastern arm of the great plain of Esdraelon, bounded on the south by Gil boa, and on the north by a parallel ridge called the hill of Moreh.' It is about three miles wide. The Midianites were encamped along the base of Moreh, and probably near the town of Shunem. On the south side of the valley at the base of Gil boa, and nearly opposite Shunem, is the large fountain of Ain-ydidd'. There can scarcely be a doubt that this is Harod. It is about a mile east of Jezreel ; and hence it was also called the foun tain of Jezreel.' It is a singular coincidence that before the fatal battle of Gilboa the Philistines en camped on the ground formerly occupied by the Midianites, while Saul and his host gathered round the fountain (I Sam. xxviii. 4 ; xxix. r). It has been suggested that the name Harod (` trembling') may have arisen from the testing command given to the followers of Gideon (Judg. vii. 3): Who soever is fearful and trembling, let him return.' Ain jam,' is a large fountain. The water bursts
out from a rude grotto in a wall of conglomerate rock, which here forms the base of Gilboa. It first flows into a large but shallow pond, and then winds away through the rich green vale past the ruins of Bethshean to the Jordan. The side of Gilboa rises over the fountain steep and rugged. Some have thought it strange that the Midianites should not have seized on this fountain ; but as many of the Israelites probably lurked in the mountain, the Midianites may have deemed it more prudent to encamp in the open plain to the north, where there are also fountains. The Jeru salem Itinerary seems to indicate that the name Ain-.7(2/1-24 Fountain of Goliath,' arose from an ancient tradition that the adjoining valley was the site of David's victory over the giant (ed. Wesseling, p. 586). The fountain was a noted camping ground for both Christians and Saracens during the crusades. William of Tyre calls it Tubania (Gesta Dei per Francos, p. to37 ; Bohadin, Pita Saladini, p. 53). The valley of Jezreel still forms a favourite haunt of the wild Bedawin, who periodi cally cross from the east side of the Jordan. The writer visited their camp beside this fountain in the spring of 1858 ; and when he saw their nume rous tents and vast flocks, was forcibly reminded of the words of Judg. vi. 5, They came up with their cattle, and their tents, and they came as grasshoppers for multitude ; both they and their camels were without number' (Handbook for S. and P. ii. 355 ; Stanley, S. and p. 334 ; Robin son, B. R. ii. 324).—J. L. P.