Rajeb

For the town in Greater Amman area with Cave of the Seven Slerpers, see Al-Rajib.
Rajeb
راجب
Rajeb is located in Jordan
Rajeb
Rajeb
Location in Jordan
Coordinates: 32°14′N 35°41′E / 32.233°N 35.683°E / 32.233; 35.683
Country Jordan
GovernorateAjloun Governorate
Time zoneUTC + 2

Rajeb or Rajib (Arabic: راجب) is a village in the Ajloun Governorate in northwestern Jordan.[1] In classical sources, Ar Rajib is known as Reğeb (Ragaba).[2]

History

Rajeb is identified with the ancient fortress of Reğeb (Hebrew: רגב), or Ragaba (Greek: Ράγκαβα). According to the historical accounts by Flavius Josephus, a Jewish historian from the first century AD, Alexander Jannaeus, king of Judaea, died during a siege at this location (around 76 BC).[2][3] The Mishnah notes that Reğeb was renowned for its olive oil.[2][3]

A maqam named Maqam Hajja Amirah, accompanied by a mosque, once stood in the graveyard atop a nearby flat hill. Today, only remnants of it exist as a ruin on a slope adjacent to the asphalt street. According to local accounts, it was demolished in recent years to accommodate the expansion of the graveyard.[4]

Waterfall

The Rajeb Waterfall attracts thousands of visitors annually.[5]

References

  1. ^ Maplandia world gazetteer
  2. ^ a b c Mishnah Menachot 8:3; Babylonian Talmud (Menachot 85b); Tosefta Menachot 9:5; Josephus, Antiquities 13.15.5
  3. ^ a b Avi-Yonah, Michael (1976). "Gazetteer of Roman Palestine". Qedem. 5: 90. ISSN 0333-5844.
  4. ^ Weber-Karyotakis, Thomas M.; Khammash, Ammar (2020). Islamic Heritage Sites in Jordan: A Student's Gazetteer. GJU. p. 346. ISBN 978-9957-67-588-2.
  5. ^ "Rajeb Waterfall continues to carve its own way despite challenges - Jordan News | Latest News from Jordan, MENA". Jordan News. 2022-05-06. Retrieved 2024-02-21.