What is…
Riblah

Hebrew: רִבְלָה —transliteration: Riblah —meaning: fruitful

This is an ancient town on the northern frontier of the Land of Israel, 35 miles northeast of Baalbec, and 10 or 12 south of Lake Homs, on the eastern bank of the Orontes, in a wide and fertile plain.

Here Nebuchadnezzar had his headquarters in his campaign against Zedekiah and Jerusalem, and here also Necho fixed his camp after he had routed Josiah's army at Megiddo (2 Kings 23:29-35; 2 Kings 25:6, 20, 21; Jeremiah 39:5; 52:10).

It was on the great caravan road from the Land of Israel to Carchemish, on the Euphrates. It is described (Numbers 34:11) as “on the eastern side of Ain.”

A place still called el Ain, i.e., “the fountain”, is found in such a position about 10 miles distant.