Smith's Bible Dictionary (1863)
(strength), the name of several places in Palestine.
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible (1898) & Schaff's Bible Dictionary
A'PHEK (strength), the name of several towns. A royal city of the Canaanites whose king was slain by Joshua. Josh 12:18. It was near Hebron, and probably the same as Aphekah. Josh 15:53. A city of Asher, Josh 19:30, in the north of Palestine, near Sidon, Josh 13:4; supposed to be the same as Aphik, Jud 1:31, and the classical Aphaca, noted in later history for its temple of Venus; now Afka, near Lebanon. A place where the Philistines encamped before the ark was taken, 1 Sam 4:1; north-west of Jerusalem and near Shocho, now Belled el-Foka.
A place near Jezreel, in Issachar, where the Philistines were, before defeating Saul, 1 Sam 29:1, and cannot be identified with No. 3, as some have suggested. A walled city in the plains of Syria, on the road to Damascus. 1 Kgs 20:26, 1 Kgs 20:30; 2 Kgs 13:17. It was about 6 miles east of the Sea of Galilee; now called Fik.
Hitchcock's Bible Names (1869)
Aphekah, Aphik, strength; a rapid torrent