The Judean Wilderness runs from north of Jericho to the southern end of the Dead Sea. It lies on the western side of the Jordan Rift Valley. It’s about 60 miles (95 km.) long and about 13 miles (21 km.) wide. It receives less than 2 inches (50 mm.) of rain per year. Water is scarce and hard to find. Judean Wilderness Photo Gallery Places of Interest Judean Wilderness Location 1. The Judean Wilderness runs from north of Jericho to the southern end of the Dead Sea. 2. It lies on the western side of the lower Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea area. 3. It’s about 60 miles (95 km.) long and about 13 miles (21 km.) wide. 4. It receives less than 2 inches (50 mm.) of rain per year. 5. Average high temperatures in the winter run in the 70s (21 C.) and highs in the summer run over 100 (40 C.). 6. Water is scarce and hard to find, and very little vegetation grows in the wilderness due to its lack of water and poor soil composition. Historical Background 1. Even though the Judean Desert is dry and barren, it was settled long before recorded history began. Jericho, which dates to 5000 BC, is the oldest city in the Judean Desert and the oldest continually inhabited city in the world. 2. En Gedi is another notable place that dates to about the same time as Jericho. It’s a large oasis that had cities built around it for over 5,000 years. 3. Sodom, Gomorrah, and the other three cities around the Dead Sea date back to ancient times as well. 4. It appears God changed the climate of the Judean Wilderness after He destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities. Scripture says that this area used to be like a watered garden of the Lord. Genesis 13:10: And Lot lifted up his eyes and saw that the Jordan Valley was well watered everywhere like the garden of the Lord , like the land of Egypt, in the direction of Zoar. (This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah .) 5. God will cause the Judean Wilderness to flourish during the Millennial Reign of Christ on this earth. Ezekiel 47:6–10: Then he led me back to the bank of the river. 7 As I went back, I saw on the bank of the river very many trees on the one side and on the other. 8 And he said to me, “This water flows toward the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah, and enters the sea; when the water flows into the sea, the water will become fresh. 9 And wherever the river goes, every living creature that swarms will live, and there will be very many fish. For this water goes there, that the waters of the sea may become fresh; so everything will live where the river goes. 10 Fishermen will stand beside the sea. From En Gedi to Eneglaim it will be a place for the spreading of nets. Places of Interest 1. Judean Wilderness 2. Jordan River 3. Jericho 4. Qumran 5. Dead Sea 6. En Gedi 7. Masada Judean Wilderness in the Bible En Gedi and King David 1. En Gedi was one of David’s main hideouts when Saul was pursuing his life. 1 Samuel 23:28–29: So Saul returned from pursuing after David and went against the Philistines. Therefore, that place was called the Rock of Escape. 29 And David went up from there and lived in the strongholds of En Gedi . Qumran and the Essenes 1. The Essenes lived in the Judean Wilderness from about 200 BC to around 68 AD. They were a spiritually devoted group who left Jerusalem due to their belief that the priesthood had become corrupt. They devoted themselves to the study and strict obedience of Scripture. 2. They also devoted themselves to copying and translating the Bible. When they saw the nation of Israel falling to the Romans in 68 AD, they hid their translations in caves by the Dead Sea. 3. These translated manuscripts are called the Dead Sea Scrolls and were discovered in eleven caves along the northwest shore of the Dead Sea between the years 1947 and 1956. John the Baptist 1. He was the prophesied forerunner of Christ, whose purpose was to prepare the way of the Lord (Isaiah 40:3). 2. His main message was a message of repentance. Matthew 3:1–12: In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea , 2 "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." 3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.'" 4 Now John wore a garment of camel's hair and a leather belt around his waist [similar to Elijah], and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, 6 and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. 9 And do not presume to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father,' for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. 10 Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree, therefore, that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 11 "I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire. 3. He had the privilege of baptizing Jesus. Matthew 3:13–17: Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him . 14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. 16 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, 17 and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” 4. He was beheaded for taking a stand against sin. Herod Antipas became the ruler (‘tetrarch’) of Galilee and Perea from 4 BC to 39 AD. He ruled from his capital at Tiberias on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee. He divorced his first wife in order to marry Herodias, the wife of his half-brother Herod Philip. He imprisoned and beheaded John the Baptist for criticizing his marriage (Matt. 14:1–12). Testing of Jesus 1. After Jesus was baptized, He was immediately led into the wilderness to be tested. Matthew 4:1-11: Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted [tested] by the devil. 2 And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple 6 and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, “‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and “‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’” 7 Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’” 11 Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him. Faith Lesson from the Judean Wilderness 1. John the Baptist was a strong and serious witness for Jesus. John’s life is an example to us of the seriousness with which we are to approach the Christian life and our call to ministry. 2. John shows us how to stand firm in our faith no matter what the circumstances. Paul reminds us that “everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Tim. 3:12). 3. Christ was tested and overcame each test of Satan with Scripture. 4. God tested many of His servants before He called them to ministry, i.e., Moses, David, and the Prophets. 5. We are often tested by God as well. 6. Scripture says that leaders are to be tested before being placed into ministry (1 Tim. 3:10). 7. Has God tested me in various ways in my lifetime? 8. How have I responded to the tests He sends my way? 9. Do I know God’s Word so I can overcome the temptations of Satan?

Christ's path to the Cross, His suffering, condemnation by the Jews, trial by Pilate, and crucifixion. Gethsemane, House of Caiaphus, Pilate's Judgment Place, Golgotha, Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Gethsemane to Golgotha: Path to the Cross Photo Gallery Places of Interest Gethsemane to Golgotha: Christ's Path to the Cross Location 1. Gethsemane is located at the base of the Mount of Olives and just east of the Temple Mount. 2. Golgotha has two general options for its location. The traditional site is at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Another option is at the Garden Tomb. There is a rock faced cliff that looks like the face of a skull. Over the years it has deteriorated but still resembles a face. 3. Because we worship a person and not a place, the location isn’t as important as what happened. Both places are close to each other, so we know they’re both in the vicinity. Historical Background 1. The death, burial, and resurrection of Christ were real events that happened in history. 2. They were prophesied in the Old Testament and fulfilled in the New Testament. 3. There were hundreds, if not thousands, of eyewitnesses to Christ’s resurrection (1 Cor. 15:6). 4. Within decades of Christ’s resurrection, Roman and Jewish historians wrote about Jesus and the events surrounding Him. 5. There is more evidence regarding Christ’s existence than Julius Caesar. 6. No other person has changed history as Christ did. 7. Christ’s disciples were willing to die for their faith in Him. 8. Throughout history, and today, billions of people confess Christ as their Savior, and that He lives within them and has changed their lives. Places of Interest 1. Gethsemane 2. House of Caiaphas 3. Antonia Fortress 4. Herod’s Palace – Pilate's Judgment Hall 5. Church of the Holy Sepulchre 6. Garden Tomb 7. Via Dolorosa Gethsemane to Golgotha in the Bible 1. Jesus began the journey praying in the Garden of Gethsemane. Matthew 26:36–38: Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, "Sit here, while I go over there and pray." 37 And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, "My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me." 2. Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane very late at night. Matthew 26:47: While he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 3. Jesus was brought before Annas, the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the High Priest. John 18:12–13: So the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound him. 13 First they led him to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. 4. Christ was brought before Caiaphas, the High Priest. Matthew 26:57: Then those who had seized Jesus led him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered. 5. While at the house of Caiaphas, Peter denied Christ 3 times. Luke 22:61–62: And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, "Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times." 62 And he went out and wept bitterly. 6. The religious leaders condemned and beat Jesus at the house of Caiaphas. Matthew 26:65–68: Then the high priest tore his robes and said, "He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy. 66 What is your judgment?" They answered, "He deserves death." 67 Then they spit in his face and struck him. And some slapped him, 68 saying, "Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who is it that struck you?" 7. Christ most likely spent the rest of the night in a dungeon at the house of Caiaphas, the High Priest. 8. Early the next morning Christ was brought before Pilate to be judged. John 18:28: Then they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the governor's headquarters. It was early morning. They themselves did not enter the governor's headquarters, so that they would not be defiled, but could eat the Passover. 9. Judas, the disciple who betrayed Christ, hanged himself. Matthew 27:3–5: Then when Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he changed his mind and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, 4 saying, "I have sinned by betraying innocent blood." They said, "What is that to us? See to it yourself." 5 And throwing down the pieces of silver into the temple, he departed, and he went and hanged himself. 10. Jesus appeared before King Herod. Luke 23:5–7: But they were urgent, saying, "He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee even to this place." 6 When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. 7 And when he learned that he belonged to Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him over to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. Luke 23:11: And Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him. Then, arraying him in splendid clothing, he sent him back to Pilate. 11. Jesus appeared again before Pilate, Pilates’s wife warned him about condemning Jesus, Barabbas released. Matthew 27:19–23: While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him a message, saying, “Have nothing to do with that righteous Man; for last night I suffered greatly in a dream because of Him.” 20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to put Jesus to death. 21 But the governor said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” 22 Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Crucify Him!” 23 And he said, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they kept shouting all the more, saying, “Crucify Him!” 12. Pilate had Jesus beaten in an attempt to appease the Jews. John 19:1–6: Then Pilate took Jesus and flogged him. 2 And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head and arrayed him in a purple robe. 3 They came up to him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and struck him with their hands. 4 Pilate went out again and said to them, “See, I am bringing him out to you that you may know that I find no guilt in him.” 5 So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Behold the man!” 6 When the chief priests and the officers saw him, they cried out, “Crucify him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and crucify him, for I find no guilt in him.” 13. Pilate condemned Jesus to death by crucifixion. Matthew 27:24–26: So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, "I am innocent of this man's blood; see to it yourselves." 25 And all the people answered, "His blood be on us and on our children!" 26 Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified. 14. Jesus was led out to be crucified at Golgotha. John 19:16–17: So he delivered him over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus, 17 and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. 15. Because Christ’s body was so physically damaged, Simon of Cyrene was forced to carry Christ’s cross the rest of the way. Matthew 27:32–33: As they went out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. They compelled this man to carry his cross. 33 And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull).” 16. Jesus was crucified at 9:00 Friday morning on Passover day. Mark 15:25: And it was the third hour (9:00 am) when they crucified him. 17. Christ on the Cross. Matthew 27:34–37: They offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall, but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. 35 And when they had crucified him, they divided his garments among them by casting lots. 36 Then they sat down and kept watch over him there. 37 And over his head they put the charge against him, which read, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” 18. Jesus was mocked by those who passed by, the chief priest, scribes, and elders. Matthew 27:38–43: Then two robbers were crucified with him, one on the right and one on the left. 39 And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads 40 and saying, "You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross." 41 So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him, saying, 42 "He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. 43 He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said, 'I am the Son of God.'" 19. One of the robbers who was crucified with Christ embraced Him as his Savior. Luke 23:39–43: One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” 20. Jesus dies on the Cross. Luke 23:46–49: Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last. 47 Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent!” 48 And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts. 49 And all his acquaintances and the women who had followed him from Galilee stood at a distance watching these things. 21. From noon until 3:00 pm, darkness fell on the earth. Matthew 27:45–50: Now from the sixth hour [12:00 pm] there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour [3:00 pm]. 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" that is, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" 47 And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, "This man is calling Elijah." 48 And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine, and put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink. 49 But the others said, "Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him." 50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. 22. The temple curtain was torn in two, and many people rose from the dead and appeared to others. Matthew 27:51–53: And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. 52 The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, 53 and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. 23. Jesus’ body is taken down from the cross and placed in a tomb. John 19:38–42: After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. 39 Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. 40 So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. 41 Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. 42 So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there. 24. The tomb of Jesus was secured by the Romans. Matthew 27:65–66: Pilate said to them, "You have a guard of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can." 66 So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard. 25. Three days later Christ rose from the dead and proved victorious over sin and death. 1 Corinthians 15:3–8: For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me [Apostle Paul]. Faith Lesson from Gethsemane to Golgotha 1. Christ was beaten on at least 3 occasions, and His body was so damaged that He couldn't even carry His cross. 2. Christ suffered both physically and spiritually for us. 3. What He suffered spiritually was far more than His physical suffering. 4. He suffered the penalty of eternity in hell for each person who trusts in Him as their Savior. Isaiah 53:5: But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. 5. Jesus died on the Cross at the exact time the sacrificial lamb of the Passover was to be sacrificed. This was no accident but was sovereignly arranged by God to show that Christ was the Passover Lamb once and for all. 6. Words fail to express what Christ went through for us so He could restore us to Himself and have an eternal relationship with us. 7. Do we comprehend and appreciate this reality?. 8. Because of His great sacrifice, we can have our sins forgiven and receive the gift of eternal life. Have you received Christ as your Lord and Savior?

Videos About the Judean Wilderness In Israel and the Testing of Christ. Jesus began His ministry by being baptized by John and then tested in the wilderness (Matt. 3:13-17). Following Jesus' baptism, He was immediately led into the wilderness here to be tested (Luke 4:1-13). Judean Wilderness: Testing of Christ Judean Wilderness: Testing of Christ Welcome to the Holy Land and the biblical site of the wilderness area of Judea in the Jericho region. See the Bible come to life as we take a look at some key events that took place here regarding Christ and His temptation in the wilderness. Jesus began His ministry by being baptized by John and then tested in the wilderness. Matt. 3:13-17: “Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he consented. And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased." Following Jesus' baptism, He was immediately led into the wilderness here to be tested. Luke 4:1-13: “And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry. The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread." And Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone.'" And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, and said to him, "To you, I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours." And Jesus answered him, "It is written, "'You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.'" And he took him to Jerusalem and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, "'He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you,' and "'On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.'" And Jesus answered him, "It is said, 'You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.'" And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time. What can we observe and learn about Christ’s baptism and testing in this area of the wilderness? Baptism is important and is commanded by God. It shows our faith in receiving Christ, dying to our old life, and being raised to a new life. Another way of looking at the word tempted is tested. Christ overcame each test of Satan with the word of God. Scripture says that God does not tempt us with sin, but we are led away by our own desires to disobey. God tested many of His servants before He called them to ministry. He tested: Moses David The Prophets We are often tested by God as well. Scripture says that leaders are to be tested before being placed into office. 1 Tim. 3:10 says, “And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. What about us? Have I been baptized if I am a true believer in Christ? Has God tested me in various ways in my lifetime? How have I responded to the tests He sends my way? Am I serious about reading God’s word? 2 Tim. 2:15 says, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. Do I know God’s word well enough so I know the truth to combat the lies of Satan, the beliefs of our day, and those of others?

See the complete history of the temple and Temple Mount in Jerusalem. Archaeological, historical, and eyewitness accounts place the location of the first and second temples directly on top of the Dome of the Rock. Sites covered include: Original Altar Location, Muslim Platform, Solomon's Porticos, Hasmonean & King Herod's Additions to the Temple Mount, Western Wall, Eastern Gate, Southern Stairs, Antonia Fortress, Royal Stoa Temple Mount Overview Photo Gallery Places of Interest Temple Mount Overview Introduction Welcome to this major biblical site of the Temple Mount. This is one of the most significant sites in Israel, and there is no place like it. 1. God, in his sovereignty, chose to dwell in a unique way in Jerusalem and the Temple Mount. Psalm 132:14: “This is My resting place forever; here I will dwell, for I have desired it. 2. Right here, where the Dome of the Rock stands, is where the Temple Solomon built was dedicated. The glory of the Lord appeared in such power and glory that the priests had to stop what they were doing and behold it. 3. We'll be seeing and talking about all the major things that happened here. 4. About one-tenth of all the stories about Jesus took place on the Temple Mount. 5. We'll see the following: The original location of the Temple Mount built by Solomon. The expansions of the Temple Mount by the Hasmoneans and Herod the Great. The Antonia Fortress The Eastern Gate Solomon's Portico Most likely place Pentecost happened. Royal Stoa Temple layout. We'll stand where the Holy Place and the Altar of the Temple were. We'll walk in the footsteps of Jesus and see where He ministered and overturned the money changers' tables. We'll discuss all the other major events that occurred here. 6. We'll also see the Dome of the Rock Shrine, the Al Asqa Mosque, and much more. 7. This will be a highlight, so you'll want to soak it all in. Let's explore and experience this site. Location 1. The Temple Mount is located on the eastern side of Old City Jerusalem 2. It occupies 1/6 of the current city. 3. It is 35 acres (14 hectares) in size, the equivalent of 35 football fields. Places of Interest 1 . Location of Solomon's original Temple Mount Platform. Archaeological, historical, and eyewitness accounts place the first and second temples directly above the Dome of the Rock. According to the Mishnah (Jewish writings on various aspects of Jewish law, customs, measurements, and so forth), the original Temple Mount Platform measured 500 cubits square . Using the royal cubit , which was the standard measurement of the time (20.67 inches, or 52.5 cm ), Solomon's original Temple Mount Platform measured 861 feet, or 262.5 meters , in length. Amazingly, evidence supports these exact measurements on each side of Solomon's original platform. 2. The Southwest corner of the original Temple Mount Platform that Solomon built. This can be located by archaeology at Barclay's Gate. 3. Western side of original platform. Warren's Gate: Evidence can be seen at an additional gate called “Warren’s Gate,” which is found butted up against the original 500-cubit Temple Mount Platform beneath the platform surface. Western Wall location today. 4. Dome of the Rock Platform Solomon's original Temple Mount Platform was at approximately the same level. 5. Northwestern Corner of Solomon's Original Temple Platform Evidence from massive stones dating back to the time of Solomon or Hezekiah is visible today. They run parallel with the Eastern Wall. The boss can't be seen today because it's covered in stone tiles, but photos from the 1960s show it. The boss's style is from the time of Solomon or Hezekiah. This same style of stone can be seen at the base of the Eastern Gate. The distance from this corner to the eastern wall of the Temple Mount platform is exactly 500 cubits, 861 ft., or 262.5 m. 6. Antonia Fortress The Jewish historian Josephus writes that it was built on bedrock. You can see the bedrock on which it was built. Currently, a grade school is located there. On the steps leading up from the Temple Mount to the Antonia Fortress, Paul addressed the crowd below. Acts 21:34-36: Some in the crowd were shouting one thing, some another. And as he could not learn the facts because of the uproar, he ordered him to be brought into the barracks. 35 And when he came to the steps , he was actually carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd, 36 for the mob of the people followed, crying out, “Away with him!” The rock face has holes or sockets where beams for the portico that ran along its southern side were attached. 7. Northern Side of the Original Temple Mount Platform This is on the same line as the northern part of the Dome of the Rock platform today. Evidence of a pre-Herodian wall was found underground by cistern 29. 8. Eastern Side of the Original Temple Mount Platform Just north of where the northern wall of the 500-cubit mount platform meets the Eastern Wall, we find an offset in the wall located 68 feet (20.73 meters) to the north. This offset indicates that a tower once stood at this corner for protection. Measuring from where the northern wall of the 500-cubit Temple Mount Platform meets the Eastern Wall, we find a curious bend in the wall at exactly 861 feet or 262.5 meters. This bend in the wall resulted from later construction added to the 500-cubit Temple Mount Platform during the Hasmonean period, around 140 BC. Their construction used a slightly different angle than the original platform. Also, there is a change in the stone style. The stones beyond the bend have a boss shape dating to the Hasmonean period. The stone layout and configuration also indicate that a corner once stood at this bend in the wall. Further down the Eastern Wall, we see a seam in the construction. The stone styles change, and the stones are butted together. This marks the beginning of Herod the Great's expansion of the Temple Mount Platform. 9. Eastern Gate In the Eastern Gate area, we also see ancient stones with boss shapes that date back to the time of Solomon or Hezekiah. It is worth noting that the location of the Eastern Wall remained unchanged throughout the entire history of the Temple Mount. This is due to the Kidron Valley and its steep decline on this side. So, again, these ancient stones reveal that the Eastern side of the 500-cubit Temple Mount Platform dates back to the time of Solomon or Hezekiah. 10. Solomon's Portico Important gathering place. Acts 5:12: Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon's Portico . 11. Muslim Excavations In 1999, when the WAQF, the Jordanian body that retains authority over the Temple Mount and other Muslim holy places, used bulldozers to remove some 10,000 tons of dirt (400 dump truck loads) from the area known as King Solomon’s Stables to create an emergency exit for the Marwani Mosque, which can accommodate 10,000 people. This was dumped in the Kidron Valley. Israelis took this dirt to a location on Mount Scopus, where it is now being sifted. This is known as the "Sifting Project." Its contents reveal overwhelming evidence that the Temple Mount is the authentic location of the original temple. The original stone tiles of Herod's renovated Temple Mount Platform have been found. Until 1920, Muslim pamphlets describing the Dome of the Rock stated that it was built directly over the site where the original temple once stood. Today, the stairs descend to the Al-Marwani Mosque, inaugurated in 1996, located under the Temple Mount in the area once called Solomon's Stables by the Crusaders. 12. Royal Stoa It is most likely that Pentecost happened at the southern end of the Temple Mount in the area of the Royal Stoa. It is unlikely that Pentecost occurred in the Upper Room, as a multitude gathered to witness this astounding event. The Upper Room couldn’t have handled such a large crowd of 15,000–30,000. Scripture says the coming of the Holy Spirit filled a house. It doesn’t mention the Upper Room. In many places in the Bible, the temple is referred to as the House of the Lord or just the house. The Hebrew word for "house" in Acts 2:2 is "Har Ha Bait," which means "the mountain of THE house," or "the dwelling place of God." "House" can also refer to just a covered area. At the southern side of the Temple Mount, just above the Southern Stairs, was the Royal Stoa. The coming of the Holy Spirit occurred at 9:00 a.m., the time of morning prayers at the temple. The disciples frequently visited the temple during these times of prayer. The Temple Mount and Southern Stair area could easily have accommodated the large crowd of around 150,000 who gathered at Pentecost. Acts 2:41 says 3,000 were saved and baptized. Around the Southern Stairs are many mikveh cleansing pools that could have been used to baptize those who were saved. The southern part of the Temple Mount would have been a natural place for Pentecost to occur, as it was a center of public activity. The Upper Room area was a residential neighborhood, and there's no reason 150,000 people would have been there when the events of Pentecost happened that drew such a large crowd. This area also had all the mikvehs necessary for baptizing and space to handle such a large crowd. 13. Southern Stairs Area 14. South end of the Temple Mount Platform: slightly different length, measured 495 cubits, 853 ft., 260 m. It's believed that this was due to the Ophel rise, which made it difficult to build over. 15. Al Aqsa Mosque It was built around 685 to 715 AD. It has been rebuilt and restored many times. When the Crusaders were in control, they referred to it as "The Temple of Solomon." Only Muslims are allowed inside. The Israeli police may enter only if necessary. The mosque can hold around 5,000 people. 16. Ancient Stone Steps These are original stones from the time of Herod or earlier, which would have been steps leading from the Court of the Gentiles to the Outer Court of the Temple. 17. Dome of the Rock It was built in 691 AD. It sits exactly over where the original temples stood. Inside is a square-shaped area where the Ark of the Covenant would have been placed. When the Crusaders were in control, they referred to it as "The Temple of the Lord." It is a Muslim shrine today. Only Muslims may enter. All others by permission only. 18. Recycled Decorated Stone from a Byzantine Church This is found at the base of the Dome of the Rock, just to the right of the main entrance facing east. This was placed here during Turkish times. It has some crosses that have been scratched away. 19. Baptistry Chapel from the Byzantine Period The baptismal tank is near the chapel. 20. The Temple Treasury Located on the north side of the Temple sanctuary. The most notable words of Jesus in this location are “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12), “The truth will set you free” (John 8:32), and ‘Before Abraham was, I am” (John 8:58). About one-tenth of all the stories about Jesus took place on the Temple Mount. 21. Dome of the Spirits Also known as the Dome of the Tablets, this small dome was constructed around 950 AD during the Muslim Umayyad Period. One theory suggests that it is located above the “Spirits Cave,” where the spirits of the dead gather for prayer. Another theory claims it is called the Dome of the Tablets, referring to the tablets kept inside the Ark of the Covenant, implying that this might be the location of the Holy of Holies – a theory most scholars dispute. It was built on a large Herodian paving stone measuring 12 feet (3.70m) by 11.5 feet (3.50m). According to Warren’s survey maps, it is situated approximately 10 feet (3m) above the natural bedrock. It was part of the pavement laid north of the buildings surrounding the Temple. 22. Original Temple Location Holy of Holies According to the Mishnah, only a rectangular depression in the bedrock remained where the Ark once stood. This exact shape has been identified inside the Dome of the Rock. Holy Place Altar Nicanor Gate/Beautiful Gate Inner Court Outer Court Court of the Gentiles 23. Dome of the Chain Located just east of the Dome of the Rock, this would be the site of the Holy Place in the original temples. 24. Dome of the Prophet Located just northwest of the Dome of the Rock Built in 1539 AD, it is traditionally believed that on this spot, Muhammad led the former Jewish prophets (including Jesus) and angels in prayer on the night he ascended into heaven. 25. Dome of the Ascension Located just north of the Dome of the Prophet. It was built sometime between the 7th and 10th centuries AD. Some believe it was built on the spot from which Muhammad ascended into Heaven on his night journey. Historical Background 1. The Temple Mount has played a “center stage” role for much of Israel’s history and has functioned as the center of God’s dwelling place and ministry on this earth. 2. It will also play a key part during the Millennial Reign of Christ on the earth. 3. God has chosen to focus His presence and attention there like a laser beam from heaven, like no other place. 4. First Temple: the temple Solomon built. It was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BC. 5. Second Temple: the temple Zerubbabel oversaw after the deportation and return of the Jews. It was finished and dedicated in 515 BC. 6. King Herod’s Temple: This was a delicate project since it would involve the careful dismantling of Zerubbabel’s temple and the construction of the new temple. In consultation with religious leaders, Herod first prepared all the necessary materials for the new temple to assure the Jews that he would build it after dismantling the old one. Construction of Herod's temple began in 20 BC. 7. The term "Second Temple" is a designation used for both Zerubbabel's and Herod’s temples. When Herod rebuilt the temple, it was considered a reestablishment and remodeling of the temple Zerubbabel had built. Thus, it was considered part of the Second Temple rather than a different building. 8. The temple itself was built in a year and a half, and the surrounding porticos and courtyards in eight years. However, construction of the whole complex continued for more than 80 years from its beginning and was only completed in 63 AD. 9. Herod's temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD. 10. Interestingly, both temples were destroyed on the same day (the 9th of Av, normally mid-August). This date is observed today by the Jews and entails fasting, prayer, deprivation, and mourning. 11. According to the Mishnah, Herod’s temple was 100 cubits (172 feet/52.5 meters) long, wide, and high (Middot 4.6) and, like Solomon’s temple, divided into three rooms: the porch, the Holy Place, and the Holy of Holies. The Dome of the Rock measures approximately 20 meters (66 feet) in diameter and 35 meters (115 feet) in height. 12. According to biblical law (Exodus 23, 34, and Deuteronomy 16), all Jewish males were required to appear “before the Lord” (i.e., at the temple) three times a year. The three festivals are Passover, Shavuot (also known as Weeks/Pentecost), and Sukkot (also known as Tabernacles or Booths). 13. The most solemn yearly festival celebrated at the temple was the Day of Atonement, described in Leviticus 16. This festival was held on the tenth day of the seventh month, which began with Rosh Hashanah, initiating the fall of the new year, four days before the Feast of Tabernacles. 14. The temple is a central feature in the Gospel narratives of the life and ministry of Jesus. The Gospel of Luke opens in the temple with the appearance of the angel Gabriel to the priest Zacharias, who was officiating at the incense altar in the Holy Place (Luke 1:5–24). The Gospel of Luke ends with a note that the disciples of Jesus, after his ascension, “were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God” (Luke 24:53). 15. The Gospel of John portrays Jesus explicitly as a fulfillment of some of the symbols of the temple and its festivals. A passage at the beginning of John describes Jesus as the Tabernacle when it says, “and the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). 16. About one-tenth of all the stories about Jesus took place on the Temple Mount. The Temple Mount in the Bible 1. The Temple Mount is also called Mount Moriah and was the place where Abraham was to sacrifice his son Isaac to God. Genesis 22:1–2: After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, "Abraham!" And he said, "Here am I." 2 He said, "Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you." 2. King David purchased the original Temple Mount when it was a threshing floor to build an altar to the Lord. 1 Chronicles 21:18: Now the angel of the LORD had commanded Gad to say to David that David should go up and raise an altar to the LORD on the threshing floor of Ornan [also called Araunah] the Jebusite. 3. King Solomon then built the Temple in this exact location. 2 Chronicles 3:1: Then Solomon began to build the house of the LORD in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the LORD had appeared to David his father, at the place that David had appointed, on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. 4. During the dedication of Solomon’s temple, the glory of the Lord filled it in such a way that the priests had to suspend their activities until God’s glory subsided. 1 Kings 8:10–11: And when the priests came out of the Holy Place, a cloud filled the house of the LORD, 11 so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD. 5. The prophets spoke to the nation of Israel from the Temple Mount. 6. The first temple was destroyed in 586 BC by Babylon because of Israel’s continued disobedience to God. 2 Kings 24:10: At that time the servants of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up to Jerusalem, and the city was besieged. 7. The temple was rebuilt again from 535 to 515 BC under Zerubbabel. Ezra 6:3: In the first year of Cyrus the king, Cyrus the king issued a decree: Concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, let the house be rebuilt, the place where sacrifices were offered, and let its foundations be retained. Its height shall be sixty cubits and its breadth sixty cubits. 8. Nehemiah rebuilt the wall of Jerusalem in 444 BC. Nehemiah 2:17: Then I said to them, "You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with its gates burned. Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer suffer derision. 9. The Temple Mount was enlarged enormously by King Herod in 19 BC to the size it is today. God, in His sovereignty, made the Temple Mount large enough to accommodate the crowds Jesus would teach, the 3,000 saved at Pentecost, the 5,000 saved in Acts 4, and to serve as a place where the Early Church could meet and grow. 10. Herod also made the temple more beautiful than any before it, and it was three times bigger than the current Dome of the Rock. 11. Zachariah received the vision of having a son, John the Baptist, while serving at the temple. Luke 1:13: But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.” 12. Jesus was dedicated to the Lord at the temple. Luke 2:22: And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. 13. At the age of 12, Jesus appeared and dialogued with the religious leaders at the temple. Luke 2:46–47: After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 14. The temple was where the Devil tempted Christ to throw himself down headlong. Luke 4:9–12: And he took him to Jerusalem and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, 10 for it is written, "'He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you,' 11 and "'On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.'" 12 And Jesus answered him, "It is said, 'You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.'" 15. Christ taught at the temple frequently. Luke 19:47: And he was teaching daily in the temple. 16. Christ drove out the moneychangers on the Temple Mount. Mark 11:15–17: And they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold and those who bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. 16 And he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. 17 And he was teaching them and saying to them, "Is it not written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations'? But you have made it a den of robbers." 17. Christ was tried before Pilate next to the Temple Mount at the Antonia Fortress. 18. Next to the Temple Mount, at the Southern Stairs, is the likely place where Pentecost took place, 3,000 were saved, and the Early Church was born. Acts 2:41: Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. 19. A lame man was healed on the Temple Mount by Peter and John, causing 5,000 men to be saved. Acts 3:1–8: Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 2 And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. 3 Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. 4 And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, "Look at us." 5 And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. 6 But Peter said, "I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!" 7 And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. 8 And leaping up he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. Acts 4:4: But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand. 20. The Temple Mount became the meeting place of the Early Church. Acts 2:46–47: And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. 21. Near the Temple Mount, Stephen was martyred (Acts 7). 22. Because Israel rejected Christ as their Messiah, Jerusalem and the Temple Mount were destroyed in 70 AD by the Romans. Luke 19:41–44: And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, 42 saying, "Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. 43 For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side 44 and tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you. And they will not leave one stone upon another in you, because you did not know the time of your visitation. 23. The Anti-Christ will commit the abomination of desolation on the Temple Mount during the middle of the Tribulation Period. 2 Thessalonians 2:3–4: Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God , displaying himself as being God. 24. Christ will reign from the Temple Mount (along with believers) for 1,000 years after the Tribulation Period. Revelation 20:6: Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years. Faith Lesson from the Temple Mount 1. In the Old Testament, the temple was a focal place where God dwelt. In the New Testament, believers are now the temple in which God dwells. 1 Corinthians 3:16–17: Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple. 2. What kind of temple are we?

Dr. Todd Michael Fink has authored many books: Israel Biblical Sites Travel Guide, Israel Biblical Sites Bible Companion, Biblical Discipleship: Essential Components for Attaining Spiritual Maturity, Biblical Discipleship Study Guide: 16-Week Discipleship Training Course, Discovering the True Riches of Life, A Biblical Analysis of Corrective Church Discipline, What Is the Gospel & How to Share It, Discipulado Bíblico, Discipulado Bíblico Guia de Estudio Books by Dr. Fink Dr. Fink is a Christ-Centered Pastor, Author, Speaker, and Teacher. He is also the founder of Go Missions to Mexico Ministries and Holy Land Site Ministries. Books by Todd Michael Fink Click on Books for More Info Clink to see more For more on Todd Michael Fink click ToddMichaelFink.com

Other than the main sites we have on our website, this page lists many other sites of interest around the Sea of Galilee: Berko Archaeological Park, Gamla Nature Reserve, Hamat Tverya National Park, Hippos (Horvat Susita), Mitzpe Ofir Observation Point, Tiberias Promenade, Tiberium Light Show Other Sites Around the Sea of Galilee Photo Gallery Places of Interest Other Sites of Interest Around the Sea of Galilee Berko Archaeological Park The Berko Archaeological Museum provides a unique glimpse into Tiberias of the first century. Tiberias was founded in 18 AD by Herod Antipas, son of Herod the Ggreat and Jewish ruler of the Galilee (4 BC-39 AD). Herod Antipas made the new city his capital, and named the city after the Roman emperor, Tiberius Caesar. The park includes an ancient Roman gate, a theater, bathhouse, and a drainage system that is a thousand years old. It also contains gardens with paths throughout and balconies offering an overall view of the ancient city. The Theater of Roman Tiberias was constructed in the 1st century AD, then enlarged in the 2nd or 3rd centuries AD, and had a seating capacity of 7,000 people. It continued to be used for gatherings until the end of the Byzantine period and was destroyed by an earthquake that struck the city in 749 AD. The site is located near the southern entrance of Tiberias, between the ancient cemetery and the hotels of Hammat Tiberias. A parking lot is located near the south gate, north of the Holiday Inn hotel. Gamla Nature Reserve High in the Golan Heights of northern Israel stretches the Gamla Nature Reserve, which is home to the ancient city of Gamla, and the Gamla Stream Waterfall (the tallest flowing waterfall in Israel). The park is full of wildlife and breathtaking views. Gamla (camel in Hebrew) was an ancient fortified city on the Golan Heights located on a high ridge above a crossing of two gorges. During the Great Revolt against the Romans in 66 AD, it became an important stronghold where Jewish rebels fought bravely until their fatal end. The observation terrace provides a view from above the ancient city on its ridge and the remains of the early synagogue. To explore the ruins of Gamla up close, you need to take the hiking trail, aptly named “Ancient Trail,” which is about .62 miles (1 km.) each way. However, because it involves some climbing and descending over stones, it can take about 2 hours. There is a viewing place by the park headquarters that grants a beautiful view of the ruins for those who don’t care to hike down to them. Gamla Stream Waterfall lookout point provides a view of the cliffs of the Gamla Stream canyon and a colony of nesting birds of prey. There is an easy 90-minute trail (45 minutes each way) leading to the lookout terrace from which the highest waterfall in Israel, 170 ft. (51 m.), flows year-round. Along the way, you will pass ancient dolmans, and a collection of bronze age burial mounds made of huge boulders. Hamat Tverya National Park This park is in the ancient village of Hamat and is much older than Tiberias. “Hama” means hot spring. It was one of the fortified cities mentioned in the Bible within the Tribe of Naftali: “And the fortified cities were Tziddim, Tzer, and Hamat, and Rakkat, and Chinneret” (Josh. 19:35). After the founding of Tiberias, Hamat became Hamat Tverya. The distance between the two cities was one mile (1.6 km.). In the park, the remains of mosaics from 3 different synagogues that were built one on top of the other, can be found. The first synagogue was built about 230 AD, the second existed in the 4th century AD, and the third was rebuilt after being destroyed in an earthquake in the 5th century. The synagogue underwent preservation, restoration, and reconstruction, and is now surrounded by glass walls. Tiberias Hot Springs – Hamat Tverya National Park – On the Tiberias Hot Springs site, 17 thermo-mineral springs flow at a temperature of about 140 F (60 C). The water flows in a system of underground channels to the Turkish Hamam, a beautifully preserved 18th-century structure. Surplus water that does not flow into the Tiberias hot baths is collected in a pool located on-site. Because of the curative properties attributed to the waters, the Romans erected luxurious baths, attracting people from all over the empire. The remains of the ancient Roman baths are located at the southern end of the site. Hippos (Horvat Susita) The ruins of the ancient city of Hippos (horse in Greek), known today as Horvat Susita, are located 1.2 miles (2 km.) east of the Sea of Galilee on the plateau of a diamond-shaped mountain, 1,148 ft. (350 m.) above the sea. The city was almost entirely isolated from its surroundings, with just a narrow saddle-bridge leading towards the western slopes of the Golan Heights. The entire city was surrounded by an imposing fortification wall. The ruins of Hippos are of the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, and Umayyad periods, dating back to the time between the 3rd century BC and 7th century AD. During the Roman period, Hippos belonged to the Decapolis, a group of ten cities that were regarded as centers of Greek culture in an area predominantly Jewish. Archaeologists have uncovered a main colonnaded street, Roman fortifications, public baths, and temples from both the Hellenistic and Roman periods. More recently, a Roman basilica and the remains of at least seven different churches built during the Byzantine period have been uncovered. This confirms that by the 4th century AD, the majority of residents in the city were probably Christian. Hippos continued to exist until the mid-8th century, when the city was destroyed by the catastrophic earthquake of 749 AD and was never again resettled. Mitzpe Ofir Observation Point This is a beautiful lookout and rest area in the southern Golan Heights that offers a view of the entire Sea of Galilee. From this viewpoint, not only can you see the whole lake, but you can also see the Lower Galilee mountains, the Upper Galilee, and the Golan Heights. The lookout is also part of a long hiking trail down to old Derech Bnei Yehuda (village settlement). This is a great place to spend a late afternoon and witness spectacular sunsets. Mitzpe Ofir was established and is maintained by Mr. Shaal of Givat Yoav, who chose this beautiful spot to memorialize his son Ofir, who died of a long illness when he was only 16 years old. A grove of 16 olive trees has been planted there, one for each year of Ofir’s life. Tiberias Promenade The Yigal Allon Promenade in Tiberias is more commonly known as the Tiberias Promenade. It’s located along the Sea of Galilee near the Old City of Tiberias and the small Marina. The Promenade offers a pleasant stroll by the water, allowing visitors to enjoy the beautiful view of the water, boats, and the marina. You can take a ride on a boat on the Sea of Galilee from here as well. Sunset and the evening are exceptional times to visit the Promenade with its many restaurants and souvenir shops open and busy. Tiberium Light Show Israel’s world-renowned multimedia design company created a breathtaking water-music-light show for Tiberias. This spectacular show features dancing fountains with artistic laser lights, music, and pyrotechnics screened onto jets of water, reaching over ten meters high to create a dazzling display of water and light. The show takes place at the south end of the Yigal Alon Promenade and is free to the public three times each evening from 7-9 pm, except in rainy weather. (Note: Tiberium depends on the water level of the Sea of Galilee. If the level is too high, the light show will not take place.)

See an overview of Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives. This will help you see everything in perspective. Old City Jerusalem, Mt. of Olives, Garden of Gethsemane, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Triumphal Entry, Western Wall, City of David, Kidron Valley, Southern Stairs, Temple Mount, Bethesda, Pool of Siloam, Pater Noster Church, Chapel of Ascension, Dominus Flevit Church, Cardo, House of Caiaphas, Upper Room, Kidron Valley, Hinnom Valley, Via Dolorosa, Pilate's Palace and Judgment of Jesus. Jerusalem Holy Sites Overview Photo Gallery Places of Interest Jerusalem Sites Overview Summary of all the Biblical Sites and Their Locations 1. Mount of Olives 2. Bethphage Beginning of the Triumphal Entry. 3. Chapel of Ascension Place from which Christ ascended to heaven and will return to in power and great glory at the end of the Great Tribulation. 4. Pater Noster Church Place Christ taught the Lord’s Prayer. 5. Tombs of the Prophets Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. 6. Triumphal Entry Pathway The road Christ descended on Palm Sunday, the Sunday before His crucifixion on Friday. 7. Church of Dominus Flevit Place Christ wept over Jerusalem on the Triumphal Entry and prophesied her future destruction. 8. Church of Mary Magdalene Christ cast out seven demons from Mary, and she became a passionate follower of Christ. 9. Garden of Gethsemane – Church of All Nations 10. Tomb of Mary (mother of Jesus) 11. Kidron Valley (Valley of Jehoshaphat) Place Christ will gather the nations in judgment at the end of the Tribulation Period, and their blood will flow to the depth of a horse’s bridle down toward the Dead Sea and beyond. 12. Temple Mount It was enlarged by Herod the Great. It’s the size of 35 football fields (35 acres, 14 hectares). The original temple was located exactly where the Dome of the Rock is today. Place the prophets ministered. The glory of the Lord filled the temple here. Place Christ ministered. Place the apostles ministered. Place the early church met. The Antonia Fortress was located just north of the Temple Mount. 13. Dome of the Rock (not a mosque but a shrine) 14. Western Wall It was part of the original wall of the Temple Mount Herod built. It existed during the time of Christ. It is the closest place (for a large gathering) to the original temple where the Jews pray. 15. Pool of Bethesda - St. Anne Church A lame man was healed here after waiting 38 years. 16. Via Dolorosa (painful path) It’s the believed path Christ took on the way to the Cross. It has 14 stations. 17. Gordon’s Garden Tomb - Golgotha 18. Church of the Holy Sepulcher 19. Absalom’s Tomb 20. Southern Stairs Place Christ taught His disciples. Likely location of Pentecost. 21. City of David 22. David’s Palace 23. Gihon Spring 24. Wall repaired by Nehemiah 25. Pool of Siloam 26. Hinnom Valley Gehenna – Idea of hell and eternal burning. 27. House of Caiaphas Place Peter denied Christ. Place Christ was condemned before Ananias and Caiaphas the high priest. 28. Tomb of David 29. The Upper Room 30. Herod’s Palace ~ Later, it would become Pilate's Palace 31. Citadel of David Gates of Jerusalem 1. Eastern Gate (Golden Gate, Shushan Gate) Gate Christ regularly entered on His way to the temple from the Mount of Olives. Peter and James healed a lame man after entering this gate. Closed by Ottoman Turkish Muslims in the 1541 AD. 2. Lions Gate (Stephen’s Gate) 3. Herod’s Gate 4. Damascus Gate 5. New Gate 6. Jaffa Gate 7. Zion Gate 8. Dung Gate

David, with just 5 stones and a sling, faced the giant Goliath, who was heavily armed. The young shepherd, drawing his strength from his faith in God, shot the rock into the center of the giant's forehead, knocking him down, then took his sword and cut off his head. Places of interest include Israelite Camp, Philistine Camp at Ephes-dammin, Valley of Elah, Azekah, Socoh, HaEla Stream (where David selected 5 smooth stones), Battle Location, King David’s Palace Fortress. Valley of Elah: David and Goliath Photo Gallery Places of Interest Valley of Elah David & Goliath Introduction Welcome to the Valley of Elah. Several significant events from the Bible took place here. These are the highlights. 1. This is the place where the famous battle between David and Goliath happened. 2. The Bible is very clear as to its location, and all the sites it mentions are nearby. Israelite Camp Philistine Camp at Ephes-dammin Valley of Elah Azekah Socoh HaEla Stream (where David selected five smooth stones) 3. This was an epic winner-takes-all battle. David represented the Israelites, and Goliath represented the Philistines. Each party agreed that whoever won would submit to the other. 4. There is so much we can learn about David's faith at this place. 5. We'll see and walk in the very spots where this epic battle happened. Location 1. The Valley of Elah is about 15 miles (23 km) west of Bethlehem and about 20 miles (32 km) east of the Mediterranean Sea. 2. It’s located on the western edge of the Judean lower hills and was an important travel route from the coastal cities up to the center of the land of Judah and its main cities of Bethlehem, Jerusalem, and Hebron. 3. It’s an undeveloped site that can be seen in its natural state. It has parking alongside Hwy 38. 4. The Valley of Elah is best known for the epic battle between young David and the giant Goliath, a skilled veteran warrior. Historical Background 1. The Philistines were a Canaanite people who inhabited Israel before the Israelites arrived. 2. The Israelites were unable to conquer them, and there were battles between the two nations for much of Israel’s history. 3. The Philistine’s stronghold was on the coastal plain in the Gaza area. 4. They were powerful, cultured, and possessed iron. They were the high-tech people of the day and did all they could to prohibit Israel from gaining iron and access to their technology (1 Sam. 13:19). 5. They worshipped many false gods. Among them was the worship of Baal and Dagon. 6. At this time in Israel’s history, the Philistines were attempting to push up through the Valley of Elah towards the heart of Judah. King Saul and his army engaged with the Philistines here to stop them. 7. The battle was one of the most pivotal between the two nations, with the loser agreeing to serve the winner. It was a “winner takes all” kind of battle. 8. Later in King Saul’s life, he would be killed by the Philistines in the Gilboa area. 9. David would eventually subdue the Philistines, and during the time of Solomon, there was peace between the two nations. 10. David was probably around 16–18 years old when he fought Goliath. We'll see why this is so as the story unfolds. Places of Interest 1. Israelite Camp 2. Philistine Camp at Ephes-dammin 3. Valley of Elah 4. Azekah 5. Socoh 6. HaEla Stream (where David selected 5 smooth stones) 7. Battle Location 8. King David’s Palace Fortress It sits on a high hill overlooking the Valley of Elah. This appears to have been built by David after he became king over all of Israel as a memorial to his victory over Goliath. It had fortress walls, buildings surrounding the inner walls, and a large central building that could have been David's palace when he stayed there on occasion. It was a small fortress complex that would have been a fitting place for David to contemplate and praise God for his victory over Goliath. It is not a tel but built on bedrock. That means there was nothing that existed here before it was built. It was used for approximately a hundred years, then apparently destroyed by enemy forces. An ostracon with the words inscribed on it: king, judge, widow. Words likely penned by King David, as they were common themes he wrote about in the Psalms. A replica of the temple was also found here. Something David would have likely have had carved out. Valley of Elah in the Bible 1. The battlefield setting. 1 Samuel 17:1–3: Now the Philistines gathered their armies for battle. And they were gathered at Socoh , which belongs to Judah, and encamped between Socoh and Azekah, in Ephes-dammim . 2 And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered, and encamped in the Valley of Elah, and drew up in line of battle against the Philistines. 3 And the Philistines stood on the mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on the mountain on the other side, with a valley between them. 2. The battle terms defined. 1 Samuel 17:4–10: And there came out from the camp of the Philistines a champion named Goliath of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span [more than 9 feet tall]. 5 He had a helmet of bronze on his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail [bronze scale armor], and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of bronze [about 125 pounds]. 6 And he had bronze armor on his legs, and a javelin of bronze slung between his shoulders. 7 The shaft of his spear was like a weaver’s beam, and his spear’s head weighed six hundred shekels of iron [15 pounds]. And his shield-bearer went before him. 8 He stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why have you come out to draw up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not servants of Saul? Choose a man for yourselves and let him come down to me. 9 If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will be your servants. But if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall be our servants and serve us .” 10 And the Philistine said, “I defy the ranks of Israel this day. Give me a man, that we may fight together.” 3. The hearts of the Israelites were jolted to their core, and they became terrified. 1 Samuel 17:11: When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid . 4. David arrived at the Valley of Elah and accepted the challenge to fight Goliath. 1 Samuel 17:20–27: And David rose early in the morning and left the sheep with a keeper and took the provisions and went, as Jesse had commanded him. And he came to the encampment as the host was going out to the battle line, shouting the war cry. 21 And Israel and the Philistines drew up for battle, army against army. 22 And David left the things in charge of the keeper of the baggage and ran to the ranks and went and greeted his brothers. 23 As he talked with them, behold, the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, came up out of the ranks of the Philistines and spoke the same words as before. And David heard him. 24 All the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him and were much afraid . 25 And the men of Israel said, “Have you seen this man who has come up? Surely he has come up to defy Israel. And the king will enrich the man who kills him with great riches and will give him his daughter and make his father’s house free in Israel.” 26 And David said to the men who stood by him, “What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” 27 And the people answered him in the same way, “So shall it be done to the man who kills him.” 5. King Saul reluctantly agreed to allow David to fight Goliath. 1 Samuel 17:31–37: When the words that David spoke were heard, they repeated them before Saul, and he sent for him. 32 And David said to Saul, “Let no man’s heart fail because of him. Your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.” 33 And Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him, for you are but a youth , and he has been a man of war from his youth .” 34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep sheep for his father. And when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb from the flock, 35 I went after him and struck him and delivered it out of his mouth. And if he arose against me, I caught him by his beard and struck him and killed him. 36 Your servant has struck down both lions and bears, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.” 37 And David said, “The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the LORD be with you!” 6. David chose not to use King Saul’s armor in the battle with Goliath. 1 Samuel 17:38–39: Then Saul clothed David with his armor. He put a helmet of bronze on his head and clothed him with a coat of mail, 39 and David strapped his sword over his armor. And he tried in vain to go, for he had not tested them. Then David said to Saul, “I cannot go with these, for I have not tested them .” So David put them off. 7. David, with just five smooth stones and a sling, went into battle against a heavily armed, experienced fighting machine, who was a giant of a man and had his armor bearer with him. 1 Samuel 17:40–47: Then he took his staff in his hand and chose five smooth stones from the brook and put them in his shepherd’s pouch. His sling was in his hand , and he approached the Philistine. 41 And the Philistine moved forward and came near to David, with his shield-bearer in front of him. 42 And when the Philistine looked and saw David, he disdained him, for he was but a youth, ruddy and handsome in appearance. 43 And the Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 44 The Philistine said to David, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and to the beasts of the field.” 45 Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head. And I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel , 47 and that all this assembly may know that the LORD saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give you into our hand.” 8. The outcome of the epic battle showdown. 1 Samuel 17:48–51: When the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine. 49 And David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone and slung it and struck the Philistine on his forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the ground. 50 So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone , and struck the Philistine and killed him. There was no sword in the hand of David. 51 Then David ran and stood over the Philistine and took his sword and drew it out of its sheath and killed him and cut off his head with it. 9. David’s defeat of Goliath led to a great victory over the Philistines. 1 Samuel 17:51–52: When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled. 52 And the men of Israel and Judah rose with a shout and pursued the Philistines as far as Gath and the gates of Ekron, so that the wounded Philistines fell on the way from Shaaraim as far as Gath and Ekron. Faith Lesson from the Valley of Elah 1. The outcome of the battle was far more significant than we might realize. If the Israelites lost, they would become the Philistines' servants. It was a “winner takes all” battle. 2. David’s motivation in the battle was the glory of God and the protection of His name: “So that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel” (1 Sam. 17:46). 3. During David’s youth as a shepherd, he developed many skills. He learned music, how to write, use a sling, how to fight to protect his sheep, and how to love the Lord and obey Him. 4. God used David’s skill of using a sling, along with his love for the Lord, to defeat Goliath. 5. The skills David developed as a youth, he used throughout his life. He faithfully led the nation of Israel, instilled a love for the Lord in his kingdom, and wrote many psalms that were used in his time and throughout history to this day. 6. David knew that it’s not the size of our weapons but the size of our faith in God that matters. So he went into the battle full of faith and confident that God would give him the victory. 7. Do I understand that it’s my responsibility to develop my abilities, and it’s God’s responsibility to direct me in how I use them? 8. Do I realize that the most important skill I possess is my love for the Lord and my heart to obey Him? 9. What miracles might God want to do in my life that would show the whole earth that there is a God in the land where I live?

Samaria was a central focus point in Israel and is mentioned around 117 times in the Bible. The word “Samaria” is used 3 different ways in the Bible. It can mean the capital city of Samaria, the geographical region in the hill country north of Jerusalem, or the entire Northern Kingdom of Israel. The city of Samaria became the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel after the kingdom was divided. As a result, it became the second most important city in Israel after Jerusalem. Samaria Photo Gallery Places of Interest Samaria Location 1. The biblical city of Samaria, also known as Sabastia, today, is located at Samaria National Park (Shomron National Park). 2. The city of Samaria is located about 33 miles (54 km.) north of Jerusalem and about 20 miles (32 km.) east of the Mediterranean Sea. 3. The city of Samaria was in the Samaria region of Israel in the territory of Ephraim and Manasseh during Bible times. 4. It was on a main east-west route that linked the coastal plain of Israel with the Jordan Valley. Historical Background 1. Samaria was a central focus point in Israel and is mentioned around 117 times in the Bible. 2. The word “Samaria” is used 3 different ways in the Bible and can mean: The capital city of Samaria. The geographical region in the hill country north of Jerusalem. The entire Northern Kingdom of Israel. 3. After the nation of Israel was divided in around 936 BC (after Solomon’s reign), the capital of the Northern Kingdom was first established in Shechem and then moved to Tirzah. Both capitals were founded by Jeroboam (931 - 910 BC). 4. King Omri began his reign in 882 BC and moved the capital of the Northern Kingdom from Tirzah, and established it in the city of Samaria. 5. The city of Samaria was to the Northern Kingdom what Jerusalem was to the Southern Kingdom. As a result, it became the second most important city in Israel after Jerusalem. 6. The city sits on a flat-topped, oblong hill with steep slopes on all sides. It was a huge city fortified with walls. 7. King Omri named the city “Shomron” (Samaria). 8. King Ahab built a palace at Samaria and overlaid it with ivory (1 Kings 22:39). This palace has been discovered with ivory in it, as mentioned in Scripture. 9. Samaria fell to the Assyrians in 722 BC, after 3 years of battle. 10. Samaria was given to Herod the Great by the emperor Augustus. Herod rebuilt Samaria and called it Sebaste (Greek form of Augustus) in honor of the emperor. 11. In order to honor John the Baptist, a Byzantine church was built on the southern side of the Acropolis in the 5th century. It was believed John’s body was buried here, but this seems quite unlikely according to the evidence. 12. During the Crusader Period (12th century), a church was built on the ruins of the eastern gate. Places of Interest 1. Visitor Center 2. Western Gate 3. Colonnade Street 4. Ahab’s Palace 5. Temple of Augustus Caesar 6. Roman Theater 7. Acropolis 8. Hippodrome 9. Byzantine Basilica 10. Hellenistic Tower 11. Roman Basilica 12. Church of John the Baptist 13. Modern-day Sabastia (Sabaste) Samaria In the Bible 1. Samaria was established as the capital of the Northern Kingdom under King Omri’s reign. 1 Kings 16:24: He bought the hill of Samaria from Shemer for two talents of silver, and he fortified the hill and called the name of the city that he built Samaria , after the name of Shemer, the owner of the hill. 2. King Ahab erected an altar to the false god Baal in Samaria. 1 Kings 16:29–33: In the thirty-eighth year of Asa king of Judah, Ahab the son of Omri began to reign over Israel, and Ahab the son of Omri reigned over Israel in Samaria twenty-two years. 30 And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the Lord, more than all who were before him. 31 And as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, he took for his wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and went and served Baal and worshiped him. 32 He erected an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he built in Samaria . 33 And Ahab made an Asherah. Ahab did more to provoke the Lord, the God of Israel, to anger than all the kings of Israel who were before him. 3. Because of Ahab’s great sin, God sent a famine upon Samaria, and the great prophet Elijah paid a visit here. 1 Kings 18:1–2: After many days the word of the Lord came to Elijah, in the third year, saying, “Go, show yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain upon the earth.” 2 So Elijah went to show himself to Ahab. Now the famine was severe in Samaria . 4. Later, the great showdown between the 850 false prophets of Baal and Asherah and Elijah took place on Mount Carmel, just 28 miles (48 km.) north of Samaria. 1 Kings 18:20–21: So Ahab sent to all the people of Israel and gathered the prophets together at Mount Carmel. 21 And Elijah came near to all the people and said, “How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” And the people did not answer him a word. 5. Ben-hadad, the king of Syria, came up against Samaria and attempted to defeat it. However, because he mocked God, God gave King Ahab victory over him. 1 Kings 20:26–28: In the spring, Ben-hadad mustered the Syrians and went up to Aphek to fight against Israel. 27 And the people of Israel were mustered and were provisioned and went against them. The people of Israel encamped before them like two little flocks of goats, but the Syrians filled the country. 28 And a man of God came near and said to the king of Israel, “Thus says the Lord, ‘Because the Syrians have said, “The Lord is a god of the hills but he is not a god of the valleys,” therefore I will give all this great multitude into your hand, and you shall know that I am the Lord.’” 6. King Ahab killed Naboth to acquire his vineyard. This event took place north of Samaria at Ahab's summer palace of Tel Jezreel. 1 Kings 21:1–3: Now Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard in Jezreel, beside the palace of Ahab king of Samaria . 2 And after this Ahab said to Naboth, “Give me your vineyard, that I may have it for a vegetable garden, because it is near my house, and I will give you a better vineyard for it; or, if it seems good to you, I will give you its value in money.” 3 But Naboth said to Ahab, “The Lord forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my fathers.” 7. God killed King Ahab because of his great wickedness. 1 Kings 22:37–38: So the king died, and was brought to Samaria . And they buried the king in Samaria . 38 And they washed the chariot by the pool of Samaria, and the dogs licked up his blood, and the prostitutes washed themselves in it, according to the word of the Lord that he had spoken. 8. God sent the prophets Elijah and Elisha to minister and perform many miracles to persuade the Northern Kingdom of Israel (Samaria) to turn from their false gods and serve Him. 9. Despite Israel’s great sins, God had mercy on them and delivered them from warring armies. 2 Kings 6:24–25: Afterward Ben-hadad king of Syria mustered his entire army and went up and besieged Samaria . 25 And there was a great famine in Samaria, as they besieged it, until a donkey's head was sold for eighty shekels of silver, and the fourth part of a kab of dove's dung for five shekels of silver. 2 Kings 7:1: But Elisha said, “Hear the word of the Lord: thus says the Lord, Tomorrow about this time a seah of fine flour shall be sold for a shekel, and two seahs of barley for a shekel, at the gate of Samaria .” 2 Kings 7:3–7: Now there were four men who were lepers at the entrance to the gate . And they said to one another, “Why are we sitting here until we die? 4 If we say, ‘Let us enter the city,’ the famine is in the city, and we shall die there. And if we sit here, we die also. So now come, let us go over to the camp of the Syrians. If they spare our lives we shall live, and if they kill us we shall but die.” 5 So they arose at twilight to go to the camp of the Syrians. But when they came to the edge of the camp of the Syrians, behold, there was no one there. 6 For the Lord had made the army of the Syrians hear the sound of chariots and of horses, the sound of a great army, so that they said to one another, “Behold, the king of Israel has hired against us the kings of the Hittites and the kings of Egypt to come against us.” 7 So they fled away in the twilight and abandoned their tents, their horses, and their donkeys, leaving the camp as it was, and fled for their lives. 2 Kings 7:16: Then the people went out and plundered the camp of the Syrians. So a seah of fine flour was sold for a shekel, and two seahs of barley for a shekel, according to the word of the Lord. 10. The Northern Kingdom continued to reject God, so He allowed Assyria to conquer and lead them into captivity. 2 Kings 17:5–8: Then the king of Assyria invaded all the land and came to Samaria , and for three years he besieged it. In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria captured Samaria , and he carried the Israelites away to Assyria and placed them in Halah, and on the Habor, the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes. 7 And this occurred because the people of Israel had sinned against the Lord their God, who had brought them up out of the land of Egypt from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and had feared other gods 8 and walked in the customs of the nations whom the Lord drove out before the people of Israel, and in the customs that the kings of Israel had practiced. 11. As a common Assyrian conquest practice, the Israelite exiles were replaced by people from Mesopotamia and other areas. However, some of the Israelites were left in the land by the Assyrians. 2 Kings 17:24: And the king of Assyria brought people from Babylon, Cuthah, Avva, Hamath, and Sepharvaim, and placed them in the cities of Samaria instead of the people of Israel. And they took possession of Samaria and lived in its cities. 12. The beginning of the Samaritan people. Assyria led into captivity most of the inhabitants of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. However, some were left in the land. Those who were left intermarried with foreign unbelievers that were placed there by the Assyrians and were thereafter called Samaritans. When Ezra and Nehemiah returned with many Jews to rebuild Jerusalem and the temple, these Samaritans and others would attempt to stop them. The Samaritans established their own religion at Mount Gerizim and built their own temple. They were despised and rejected by the Jews and considered unclean because they weren’t pure bloodline Jews. The Samaritans, likewise, despised the Jews and had few dealings with them. The Samaritan people still exist today and only believe in the Torah (first 5 books of the Old Testament). 13. Part of Samaria was repopulated by Jews from Judah (Southern Kingdom of Israel), and worship of God was restored. 2 Kings 23:19: And Josiah [King of Judah] removed all the shrines also of the high places that were in the cities of Samaria , which kings of Israel had made, provoking the Lord to anger. He did to them according to all that he had done at Bethel. 14. Jesus ministered in the area of Samaria. John 4:1–5: Now when Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John 2 (although Jesus himself did not baptize, but only his disciples), 3 he left Judea and departed again for Galilee. 4 And he had to pass through Samaria . 5 So he came to a town of Samaria called Sychar [Shechem) , near the field that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 15. In the New Testament, believers from Jerusalem spread to the Samaria region due to persecution. Acts 8:1: And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria , except the apostles. 16. Philip preached Christ in the city of Samaria. Acts 8:4–8: Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. 5 Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. 6 And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. 8 So there was much joy in that city . Faith Lesson from Samaria 1. Unfortunately, the division of the Nation of Israel into two parts was born out of disobedience to God. 2. Nonetheless, God sent prophet after prophet to warn them to leave their false Gods and return to Him. 3. God extended mercy and patience upon them despite their continual rejection of Him. 4. Because of their hardhearted rejection, God had no choice but to discipline the Northern Kingdom and deport most of them to Assyria. 5. Do we really believe that disobedience to God causes pain and suffering (Rom 8:6)? 6. Do we understand that God is merciful and patient but disciplines those He loves (Heb. 12:7–11)? 7. The Samaritan people gladly received the gospel under Philip’s preaching. Do we realize that those living in darkness are the most receptive to the light?

Masada was used by David, Herod the Great fortified it. Then see the sober reality of how 967 Jewish Zealots chose to commit suicide rather than surrender to the Romans in 73 AD. On May 3, 74 AD, after 7 months or so of long battled weariness, the Romans entered the top of Masada and stood in awe-stricken silence as they beheld the mass suicide of the Jews before them. The Zealots chose to die by suicide rather than be conquered by the Romans to be abused or killed. Masada Photo Gallery Places of Interest Masada Introduction Welcome to Masada. Many events from the Bible and history took place here. Here are some of the highlights. 1. After a confrontation between King Saul and David close to En Gedi, David likely hid out on top of Masada afterward. 2. Masada was one of three fortified fortresses King Herod built for pleasure purposes and from which to protect his territories. He built Masada in about 24 BC. 3. In 73 AD, a total of 967 Jews, counting their families, had assembled at Masada. They were under the command of Eleazar Ben-Yair, a Jewish Zealot Freedom Fighter. 4. In 73 AD, the 10th Roman Army Legion, totaling around 8 ,000 soldiers and 6,000 Jewish slaves under a commander named Silva, arrived at the base of Masada. 5. Masada was the last stronghold of the Israelites, and the Romans amassed their troops there in the fall of 73 AD. 6. It would be here that this Jewish community chose to commit mass suicide rather than surrender to the Romans. 7. It's a tragic story we'll see as we explore this site. Location 1. Masada is located at the Dead Sea's southern end, about 40 miles (64 km.) southeast of Jerusalem. 2. It's a natural flat mountain that rises from the valley floor some 1,000 ft. (305 m.). It's like a huge column with sheer cliffs on every side, making it virtually unreachable. 3. Many believe ancient Gomorrah lies at the base of Masada, and ancient Sodom is about 14 miles (23 km) south of Masada. 4. The base of Masada is in a desert region, about 1,000 ft. (305 m.) below sea level. 5. The word Masada means fortress. Historical Background 1. Masada is a natural fortress most likely used throughout the area's history. 2. David likely used it when fleeing from King Saul. 3. Masada first became a Jewish fortress under the Hasmoneans around 150–76 BC. 4. Later, King Herod upgraded Masada’s defenses (37–31 BC. 5. Masada was one of three fortified fortresses King Herod built for pleasure purposes and from which to protect his territories. It had 20 feet (6 m) high double walls surrounding the edge and had many lookout and protection towers in the walls. 6. Masada was fortified with elaborate water cisterns fed by diverting water from the nearby mountains. It even had swimming pools and many of the luxuries life afforded at that time. 7. Besides ample water storage, Masada had 15 food storehouses for 10,000 people for 10 years. 8. In 66 BC, events began to unfold in Israel that caused the Jews to rebel against Roman rule. This revolt began in Caesarea Maritime. 9. In 66-70 AD, when the nation was in revolt, Jewish Zealots and a group called the Sicarii fled from Jerusalem and the surrounding areas and took the fortress of Masada from Roman occupation. They were national Freedom Fighters who opposed Roman rule. In their conquest, they gained possession of all the food and water stored in Masada. 10. Between 66 and 70 AD, Rome conquered all the northern cities of Israel. 11. In 70 AD, under the command of Titus, the Romans totally destroyed Jerusalem in a bloody battle that lasted well over 4 months. Josephus (Jewish Historian) claims that 1.1 million Jews lost their lives in this battle, and another 97,000 were captured and enslaved. The temple was leveled in the siege at this time as well. 12. In 73 AD, a total of 967 Jews, counting their families, had assembled at Masada. They were under the command of Eleazar Ben-Yair, a Jewish Zealot Freedom Fighter. 13. After conquering Jerusalem and most of Israel, the Romans headed south to conquer the southern strongholds around the Dead Sea region and Masada. 14. Masada was the last Israelite stronghold that existed in the land, and the Romans amassed their troops there in the fall of 73 AD. Places of Interest 1. Cistern 2. Living Quarters 3. Ritual Baths 4. Small Palace 1 5. Southern Fort 6. Pool 7. Small Palace 2 8. Small Palace 3 9. Western Palace 10. Byzantine Church 11. Cable Car Access 12. Eastern Gate 13. Storerooms 14. Baths 15. Northern Palace 16. Officer’s Quarters 17. Administrative Building 18. Western Gate 19. Synagogue 20. Siege Ramp 21. En Gedi 22. Dead Sea 23. Ancient Gomorrah 24. Ancient Sodom The Fall of Masada 1. In 73 AD, the 10th Roman Army Legion, totaling around 8 ,000 soldiers and 6,000 Jewish slaves under a commander named Silva, arrived at the base of Masada. 2. This Roman legion first built a wall around the base of Masada, much of it by using Jewish slave labor. 3. Next, they built eight camps around the mountain's base. The remains of most of these camps can still be seen today. Silva set up his headquarters at the northwest camp. 4. After several months of unsuccessful engagement with the Jewish Zealots atop Masada, the Romans decided to build a massive siege ramp out of dirt on the west side of Masada, using Israelite slave labor to help in the process. 5. As the siege ramp grew closer to the top of Masada, the Romans primarily used Jewish slave labor so that their fellow Jews on Masada wouldn’t shoot arrows and throw spears at their countrymen. 6. After several months of building the siege ramp, the Romans finally reached the top of Masada and severely damaged the exterior wall. 7. When the Jewish Zealots realized they were in grave danger of being conquered, they built another interior wall inside the exterior wall using wood beams from many of their buildings. They layered the beams with earth in between to fortify the new wall. 8. The Romans set this inner wall on fire and were poised to enter. However, this happened late at night, so the Romans decided to wait until the next morning to attack. 9. Realizing the Jews would be conquered the next morning, Eleazar Ben-Yair, the commander of the Zealots, gave an impassioned speech about how God had not created them to be slaves and about what would happen to them if they surrendered to the Romans. This is what he proposed: The Romans are angry after the long battle and will kill most of us by torture. Those who are not killed will be mistreated and forced to be slaves. Our women will be raped before our eyes and violated, and our children will be tortured and forced to be slaves as well. The only option we have as free people is to take our own lives. In the synagogue, the men gathered for a special meeting and drew lots, picking out ten courageous men who knew about killing and understood how to die. Then, every father went home and killed their wives and children. Then, all the men gathered again together, and 10 of these men in the group killed the remaining men. Then one man killed the other 9, and then the last man killed himself. 10. The Jewish Zealots destroyed everything but the food supply to ensure the Romans knew they hadn’t run out of supplies. They had chosen death over Roman enslavement. 11. On May 3, 74 AD, after 7 months or so of long battled weariness, the Romans entered the top of Masada and stood in awe-stricken silence as they beheld the mass suicide of the Jews before them. The Zealots chose to die by suicide rather than be conquered by the Romans, to be abused or killed. 12. The Jewish historian Josephus says 960 men, women, and children died at Masada. Only two women and five children, who hid in a subterranean cavern, survived to tell the story. Masada in the Bible 1. After a confrontation between King Saul and David close to En Gedi, David likely hid out on top of Masada afterward. 1 Samuel 24:22: And David swore this to Saul. Then Saul went home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold [fortress]. 2. Because Israel rejected Christ as their Messiah, Christ foretold the destruction of Jerusalem and the nation of Israel. This destruction occurred between 66-70 AD. Luke 19:41–44: And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, 42 saying, "Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. 43 For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side 44 and tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you. And they will not leave one stone upon another in you, because you did not know the time of your visitation . 3. Zechariah prophesied about Jerusalem’s destruction as well. Zechariah 14:1–2: Behold, a day is coming for the Lord, when the spoil taken from you will be divided in your midst. 2 For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle, and the city shall be taken and the houses plundered and the women raped. Half of the city shall go out into exile, but the rest of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Faith Lesson from Masada 1. While we don’t endorse and believe the Jewish Zealots should have committed suicide as it’s only God’s place to take a person’s life, we do understand these Zealots' decision. 2. While some of the Zealots may have believed in Christ and were devoted servants to God, the Jewish nation as a whole and its leaders had largely rejected Christ as their Messiah. As a result, Christ spoke judgment upon the nation in Luke 19:41–44. 3. Almost every instance in which a country falls is due mainly to the decisions of its leaders. 4. The sad reality is that the righteous always suffer at the hands of the wicked. 5. Today, it’s the same; while there may be many righteous people in a country, God will still judge it because of the sinful and immoral decisions its leaders and the majority of the people make. 6. Israel didn’t return to being a nation until 1948, and this was due to God’s sovereign plan for them. God prophesied that He would bring them back again, and it’s a miracle that after almost 2,000 years, this has been fulfilled. This is unheard of in the history of any civilization. 7. However, the price Israel paid for their rejection of Christ cost them dearly and should be a warning to us today as well.