What is…
Cabul

Hebrew: כבול or כָּבּוּל‎ —meaning: how little! as nothing—symbolically: “good for nothing”

also known as: Kabul, al-Kabul, Kabbul, Chabolo, Chabulon

This was the name of 2 biblical places.

1. Cabul, the town

   also known as: Chabolo, Kabul

   This ancient town was located on the eastern border of the Tribe of Asher (Joshua 19:27), and is probably one of the towns and cities given by Solomon to King Hiram I.

   In Roman times, Josephus called it Chabolo. Many ancient artifacts and ruins have been found here. The ancient Jewish historian Flavius Josephus (born Yosef ben Matityahu) was the author of Antiquities of the Jews and The Jewish War (chronicling the Great Jewish Revolt of 66–70 AD).

   The town still exists today, under the name Kabul or al-Kabul, and is located about 8 miles east of Accho.

   Modern city of Kabul, Israel—satellite view

2. Cabul, the district

   This ancient area was located in northwestern Galilee, near the ancient Phoenician city of Tyre.

   It contained 20 cities—including the city above—that were given to King Hiram I of Phoenicia by King Solomon as a reward for services rendered in building Solomon’s Temple (1 Kings 9:13), and as repayment for the 120 talents of gold he had borrowed from him.

   Hiram gave the region with its cities this name because he was not pleased with the gift, the name signifyies “good for nothing.”

   Later, Hiram gave the area back to King Solomon (2 Chronicles 8:2).