What is…
Lydda

Greek: Λύδδα —transliteration: Ludda

Hebrew: לוד —transliteration: Lod

also known as: Lod (Hebrew), Ludd, and Diospolis

Lydda is an ancient town of the Tribe of Ephraim, mentioned in the New Testament (Acts 9:32, 35, 38). It is the scene of Peter’s miracle in healing the paralytic Aeneas.

It lay about 9 miles east of Joppa, on the road from the seaport to Jerusalem. In ancient times it was within a day’s journey of Jerusalem.

Its modern name is Lod, Israel.

In the Old Testament it is called Lod.

“The sons of Benjamin also lived from Geba onward, at Michmash and Aija, at Bethel and its towns, at Anathoth, Nob, Ananiah, Hazor, Ramah, Gittaim, Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat, Lod and Ono, the valley of craftsmen.” —Nehemiah 11:31-35 NASB

“The sons of Elpaal were Eber, Misham, and Shemed, who built Ono and Lod, with its towns” —1 Chronicles 8:12 NASB

The Hebrew name Lod appears in the Old Testament as a town of Benjamin, founded along with Ono by Shamed or Shamer (1 Chronicles 8:12; Ezra 2:33; Nehemiah 7:37; 11:35). In Ezra 2:33, it is mentioned as one of the cities whose inhabitants returned after the Babylonian captivity.

It was burned by the Romans, but was afterwards rebuilt, and was known by the name of Diospolis.

The so-called patron saint of England, St. George, is said to have been born here.

More information

• Tribe of Benjamin
• Miracles of the Bible
• Peter