ARIMATHÆA (Mat_27:57, Mar_15:43, Luk_23:51, Joh_19:38).A place known only in connexion with Joseph. It was probably near Lydda.
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible
Edited by James Hastings, D.D. Published in 1909
ar-i-ma-thē?a (Ἀριμαθαία, Arimathaı́a): ?A city of the Jews,? the home of Joseph in whose sepulchre the body of Jesus was laid. Its identity is the subject of much conjecture. The Onomasticon of Eusebius and Jerome identifies it with Ramathaim-Zophim in the hill-country of Ephraim (1Sa_11:1-15), which is Ramah the birthplace and burial-place of Samuel (1Sa_1:19; 1Sa_25:1), and places it near Timnah on the borders of Judah and Dan. G. A. Smith thinks it may be the modern Beit Rima, a village on an eminence 2 miles North of Timnah. Others incline to Ramallah, 8 miles North of Jerusalem and 3 miles from Bethel (Mat_27:57; Mar_15:43; Luk_23:51; Joh_19:38).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
PRINTER 1915.
Arimathaea
The only suggestion of a modern site for this place, except Ramleh, which has been offered, is that of Renthieh, "a miserable hamlet on an isolated ledge of rock which protrudes in the midst of the plain" not far south of Ludd; but Dr. Robinson, who suggests the possible identity, gives urgent reasons against it (Later Researches, p. 141). In the absence of any other plausible site, we may as well acquiesce in that of Ramleh. For a further description of this place see Porter, Handbook for Syria, p. 112; Bdeker, Palest. I p. 133 sq.; Conder, Tent Work. i, 6 sq. See RAMAH
CYCLOPEDIA OF BIBLICAL, THEOLOGICAL AND ECCLESIASTICAL
press 1895.