Boyd’s Bible Dictionary:
(from Abila, land of meadows). A Syrian tetrarchy whose capital was Abila, situated on the eastern slopes of the Anti-Libanus range. The district was watered by the Abana River. Governed by Lysanias in the time of John the Baptist (Luke 3:1).
Concise Bible Dictionary:
The district over which Lysanias was tetrarch (Luke 3:1). Abila was its chief city. Josephus speaks of this as “Abila of Lysanias” to distinguish it from other cities of the same name. It was described by ancient writers as eighteen miles from Damascus on the way to Heliopolis or Baalbek, and Robinson reached its site in six hours, on the eastern slope of the Anti-Libanus. The center of the district of Abilene lies about 33° 35' N, 36° 5' E. Its extent is not known: it is probable that its limits varied at different times.
Strong’s Dictionary of Greek Words:
Meaning:
of foreign origin (compare 58); Abilene, a region of Syria
Jackson’s Dictionary of Scripture Proper Names:
without books, or without king
Potts’ Bible Proper Names:
Desolation; the father of mourning:―a region of Syria [ABEL], Luke 3:1. {Desolatio}