Easton's Bible Dictionary: M. G. Easton, M.A., D.D.
A plain, a district lying on the east slope of the Anti-Lebanon range; so called from its chief town, Abila (Lk. 3:1), which stood in the Suk Wady Barada, between Heliopolis (Baalbec) and Damascus, 38 miles from the former and 18 from the latter. Lysanias was governor or tetrarch of this province.