Upper Galilee – Journey to Holy Land

Rosh Hanikra Grottoes or Misraphot Mayim

webmaster — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 19:06:49 +0000

A place (perhaps the “eminence over the waters”), one of the border markers for the territory of the Sidonians (Josh. 13:6). After Joshua’s victory at the waters of Merom, the victorious Israelites pursued the army of the northern kings to Misrephoth-maim and the valley of Mizpah. Since Maim can be vocalized to miyyam, “on the west,” the text might carry the secondary meaning “to Misrephoth on the west and to the valley of Mizpah on the east.” This could present a literary balance and underscore the extent of Joshua’s victory. The name has been taken to refer to modern Khirbet Musheirefeh/Tel Rosh ha-Niqra (161276) on the modern Israel/Lebanon border. Some scholars identify Misrephoth with the Litani River, which would accord well with its location in “Greater Sidon.” The Litani River would have presented a difficult passage for a chariot army, and this obstacle may have ended the flight of the fugitives, allowing Joshua to complete his victory (Josh. 11:8).

“MISREPHOTH-MAIM,” Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible, 906.

The Rosh HaNikra Ntional Park have grottos, cavernous tunnels formed by sea waves action on the soft chalk rock caused by erosion.

The total length tunnels are about 200 meters long. In the past, the only access to them was by the Mediterranean sea sailing and experienced divers were the only ones capable of visiting.

Today a small cable car takes visitors down to natural reserve, the caves and the British railway tunnel, the passage between the country lands before the independence of Israel.

And the LORD said unto Joshua, Be not afraid because of them: for to morrow about this time will I deliver them up all slain before Israel: thou shalt hough their horses, and burn their chariots with fire. So Joshua came, and all the people of war with him, against them by the waters of Merom suddenly; and they fell upon them. And the LORD delivered them into the hand of Israel, who smote them, and chased them unto great Zidon, and unto Misrephothmaim, and unto the valley of Mizpeh eastward; and they smote them, until they left them none remaining. And Joshua did unto them as the LORD bade him: he houghed their horses, and burnt their chariots with fire.

Joshua 11:6–9 KJV

The post Rosh Hanikra Grottoes or Misraphot Mayim appeared first on Journey to Holy Land.

City of Dan – Tel Dan

webmaster — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 07:03:43 +0000

Dan is situated in the north of Israel. To the west is the southern part of Mount Lebanon; to the east and north are the Hermon mountains. The Nachal Dan provides the majority of the water of the Jordan River, making the immediate area highly fertile. The lush vegetation that results makes the area around Dan seem somewhat out of place in the otherwise arid region around it. Due to its location close to the border with Syria and Lebanon at the far north of the territory which fell under the British Mandate of Palestine, the site has a long and often bitterly contested modern history, most recently during the 1967 Six-Day War.

A city in northern Galilee, in the Huleh Valley at the southwestern foot of Mt. Hermon. One of the springs which serves as a source of the Jordan River issues from under Tel Dan/Tell el-Qâḍi (2112.2949), the site of the ancient city. A major north-south road, connecting the Syrian city of Qatna with the Galilean city of Hazor, passed just west of Dan.

Second-millennium Mesopotamian and Egyptian records mention the city of Laish (“Lion”), the city’s name before its conquest by the Danites, who renamed it after their ancestor (Judg. 18; “Leshem,” Josh. 19:47).

Judg. 18 tells of the founding of the city and of its sanctuary. The Danite conquerors brought with them a levitical priest and cultic paraphernalia (Judg. 18:19-20). A priesthood which traced its roots to Moses (Judg. 18:30) served at the Danite shrine. After the split of the monarchy, the Israelite king Jeroboam made the shrine of Dan (along with Bethel) one of the two sanctuaries for the northern kingdom. Amos condemned these shrines (Amos 8:14), in which Jeroboam installed images of bull calves (1 Kgs. 12:29-30; 2 Kgs. 10:29).

The post City of Dan – Tel Dan appeared first on Journey to Holy Land.

Hazor of Galilee

webmaster — Fri, 24 Jun 2016 17:37:49 +0000

And it came to pass, when Jabin king of Hazor had heard those things, that he sent to Jobab king of Madon, and to the king of Shimron, and to the king of Achshaph, And to the kings that were on the north of the mountains, and of the plains south of Chinneroth, and in the valley, and in the borders of Dor on the west, And to the Canaanite on the east and on the west, and to the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Jebusite in the mountains, and to the Hivite under Hermon in the land of Mizpeh. And they went out, they and all their hosts with them, much people, even as the sand that is upon the sea shore in multitude, with horses and chariots very many. And when all these kings were met together, they came and pitched together at the waters of Merom, to fight against Israel. And the LORD said unto Joshua, Be not afraid because of them: for to morrow about this time will I deliver them up all slain before Israel: thou shalt hough their horses, and burn their chariots with fire. So Joshua came, and all the people of war with him, against them by the waters of Merom suddenly; and they fell upon them. And the LORD delivered them into the hand of Israel, who smote them, and chased them unto great Zidon, and unto Misrephothmaim, and unto the valley of Mizpeh eastward; and they smote them, until they left them none remaining. And Joshua did unto them as the LORD bade him: he houghed their horses, and burnt their chariots with fire.

And Joshua at that time turned back, and took Hazor, and smote the king thereof with the sword: for Hazor beforetime was the head of all those kingdoms. And they smote all the souls that were therein with the edge of the sword, utterly destroying them: there was not any left to breathe: and he burnt Hazor with fire.

(Joshua 11:1–11 KJV)

Razor is one of UNESCO World Heritage Site, its biblical history is rich: it was first conquered by Joshua and later became a main city of Solomon's Empire. Archaeological excavations have revel important finds, including a excavated and restored altar and Canaanite palace bearing signs of a huge fire attributed to Joshua’s conquests. You can also see the gates and walls builds by the King Solomon’s and the incridible Israelite water system that was one of the engineering marvels of its day.

Tel Hazor is a tale of two cities:

Upper city of Hazor - 40M above the south side of the valley. The size of the upper city is 100 Dunam (10 Hectares), and is protected by massive and high walls. This part of the city is full of palaces, temples and fortifications. Only this section is opened to the public, but you can see a great panoramic view to the lower city.
Lower city of Hazor - the larger city is located on the north side of valley of Hazor. Its size is huge: 700 Dunam (70 Hectares). It is protected by a large rampart, archaeologists not made any serious excavations in this area.

The post Hazor of Galilee appeared first on Journey to Holy Land.

Caesarea Philippi and Banias Nature Reserve

webmaster — Fri, 24 Jun 2016 07:56:21 +0000

When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

(Matthew 16:13–19 KJV)

Caesarea Philippi: There were two cities in Judea called Caesarea. One was situated on the borders of the Mediterranean and the other was the one mentioned here. It was also called Paneas, was greatly enlarged and ornamented by Philip the tetrarch, son of Herod, and called Caesarea in honour of the Roman emperor, Tiberius Caesar. To distinguish it from the other Caesarea, the name of Philip was added to it, and called Caesarea Philippi, or Caesarea of Philip. It was situated in the boundaries of the tribe of Naphtali, near Mount Lebanon, and was in the most northern part of Judea. It now contains about two hundred houses, and is inhabited chiefly by Turks.

When Jesus came. The original is, when Jesus was coming. Mark says Mark 8:27 that this conversation took place when they were in the way, and this idea should have been retained in translating Matthew.

While in the way, Jesus took occasion to call their attention to the truth that he was the Messiah. This truth it was of much consequence that they should fully believe and understand; and it was important, therefore, that he should often learn their views, and establish them if right, and correct them if wrong. He began, therefore, by inquiring what was the common report respecting him.

Whom do men say, etc. This passage has been variously rendered. Some have translated it. “Whom do men say that I am? The Son of Man? Others. “Whom do men say that I am—I, who am the Son of man, i.e., the Messiah?” The meaning of all is nearly the same. He wished to obtain the sentiments of the people respecting himself.

Albert Barnes, Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament (Accordance electronic ed. Altamonte Springs: OakTree Software, 2006), n.p.

The post Caesarea Philippi and Banias Nature Reserve appeared first on Journey to Holy Land.