And the fenced cities are Ziddim, Zer, and Hammath, Rakkath, and Chinnereth,
Ziddim, х ha-Tsidiym (H6661), the sides; instead of which the Septuagint, apparently reading ha-Tsudiym, render, 'these are the fenced cities of the Tyrians']. Mr. Grove (Smith's 'Dictionary') remarks, 'The Jerusalem Talmud is probably near the mark in identifying hat-Tziddim with Kefr Chittai, which Schwarz, with much probability, takes to be the present Hattin, at the northern foot of the well-known Kurn Hattin ('Horns of Hattin'), a few miles west of Tiberias' (see also Robinson's 'Biblical Researches,' 3:, p. 250).
Zer, [Septuagint, Turos, erroneously]. It seems to have been situated on the southwest side of the lake.
Hammath, х wª-Chamat (H2575), warm springs; Septuagint, Oomathadaketh; Josephus calls it Ammaous ('Antiquities,' b. 18:, ch 2:, sec. 3; 'Jewish Wars,' b. 4:, ch. 1:, sec. 3)] - now Hummam, or Emmaus, a little south of Tiberias. It stood about a mile west of the lake: a position which would make it more naturally come within the limits of Zebulun. Yet,' as Robinson remarks ('Biblical Researches,' 3:, p. 260), 'the place might still be assigned to another tribe, as was done in many other instances' (cf. Reland, 'Palaestina,' p. 161). But a different explanation has been proposed. 'Hammath which is described as one of the towns of Naphtali, may have occupied the place on which the tetrarch Herod caused the city Tiberias to be built. On comparing the numerous passages of the Talmud where these two cities are spoken of, I should conclude that the two towns are not identical, but very near, and that after the erection of Tiberias, Hammath became its suburb' (Bovet, 'Voyage en Terre Sainte,' p. 419).
Rakkath - unknown.
Chinnereth, [Septuagint, Kenereth]. No trace of the town has been found. It is called Chinnereth in the Old Testament, and Genezareth in the New. The first name was bestowed from the resemblance of the lake in form to a harp. Genezath signifies gardens of the princes; perhaps of the captains or princes of Naphtali (1 Chronicles 12:34; Psalms 68:27). Be that as it may, this district was evidently a real garden, a terrestrial paradise (Josephus, 'Jewish Wars,' b. 3:, ch. 3:, sec. 2).