A-Z
ARAD
City built on 4,000 year old site (JOSH. 12, 14)
ASHKELON
One of the five city-states of the Philistines; others were Ashdod, Ekron, Gath and Gaza.
ASHDOD
Phillip the Evangelist baptized an Ethiopian near here (ACTS 8:26-40)
ANATA
(ANATHOTH) Birthplace of Jeremiah the prophet (JER. 1:1)
APHEK
(ANTIPATRIS) The Philistines captured the Ark of the Convenant (SAM 4:1-11); Paul on his way to Caesarea for trial (ACTS 23)
AKKO
Port for armies and pilgrims throughout history; Paul spent a day here (ACTS 21:7)
ACHZIB
Important Phoenician port
ATLIT
Crusader fort Chateau de Pelerin (1217- 1291)
BEER-SHEVA
Well of Seven agreement between Abraham and Abimelech
BETHLEHEM – (HOUSE OF BREAD)
Tomb of Rachel (GEN. 35: 19: 48:7) David is anointed king by Samuel (I SAM: 16-1); Birth place of Jesus – Church of the Nativity (LUKE 2:1-5)
BEIT SAHOUR
The Shepherds Fields history of Ruth and Boaz (RUTH) (LUKE 2:8-21)
BETHPHAGE
Palm procession; Jesus enters Jerusalem (LUKE 19:2940; MATT. 21:1-11; MARK 11:1-11; JOHN 12:12-16)
BETHANY
Home of Mary and Martha (LUKE 10:38-42; JOHN 11:43-44;MARK 11:11)
BETHEL (HOUSE OF GOD)
Jacob’s ladder (GEN. 28,10) The ark of covenant at Bethel (JUDGES 20,27:21; GEN. 31:13; I KINGS 13:16-33;II KINGS 2:1-4)
BEIT SHEAN
Spring of En-Harod (JUDGES 7 4-8)
BELVOIR
Crusader fortress
CAESAREA MARITIME
Built by Herod; Baptism of Cornelius (ACTS 10) Paul embarks for Tarsus (ACTS 9:30) Philip preaches (ACTS 8:40)
CAESAREA PHILIPPE – BANIAS
Confession of Peter and first announcement of passion (MATT. 16:13-23)
CHORAZIM, AND BETHSAIDA
Jesus teaches and cures (MATT. 4:23;MARK 8:22-26)
CAPERNAUM
Center of Jesus’ ministry after He left Nazareth (MATT. 4:13)
CANA OF GALILEE
Jesus performed His first miracle (JOHN 2:1-11)
DEAD SEA (SALT SEA)
Sodom and Gomorrah (GEN. 13:10-13, 14, 18, 19)
DOTHAN
Joseph finds his brothers (GEN. 37:14-17)
THE DESERT OF JUDEA
The good Samaritan – (LUKE 10:25-37); Mt. of Temptation (MATT. 4:1-10)
THE DESERT
Exodus of Moses (EX. 3:1-15); The Covenant on Mount Sinai (EX. 19:1, 20, 21-22); The law (DEUT. 6:1-13)
DABURIYA
Jesus cures the epileptic boy (LUKE 9:37-43)
EIN KEREM
Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist, was visited in the hill country by Mary (LUKE 1:39-40)
EIN GEDI
David hides there when followed by Saul (1 SAM. 24); Oasis (SONG. 1:14)
EMMAUS
Qubeibeh – Amwas – Abu-Gosh (LUKE 24:13-35) (MARK 16:12-13)
EN-DOR
Medium of En-Dor (I SAM. 28:7-25)
EKRON
The Ark of the Covenant placed on a cow-drawn cart and sent to Beth- Shemesh (I SAM. 6:7-9)
EILAT
They Camped at Ezion-Geber (NUB. 33,36); Enganin (and Djenin) Cure of the lepers (LUKE 17:11-19)
GEZER
The Gezer Calendar; Oldest Important Israelite Inscription
GIBEON
Gibeonites story (JOSHUA 8)
HEBRON-KIRYATH ARBA
Cave of Machpelah bought by Abraham (GEN. 23:1-12; 25:8-10; 35:27-29; 50:12-14);David is anointed King of Israel (II SAM. 5:1-5)
HAZOR
Joshua captures and burns the city (JOSHUA 11:10-14); Rebuilt by Solomon (I KINGS 9:15);Deborah and Barak (JUDGES 4:2)
HORNS OF HATTIN
The Crusaders were decisively defeated here by Saladin
HAIFA (Cayphas)
Important fortress of the Crusaders; today important industrial city; Israel’s main port
JERUSALEM
Conquered by David about 1000 B.C.E. The site of Solomon’s First Temple, destroyed by Nebuchadnezzer and rebuilt by Ezra and Nehemia. Herod built the Second Temple which was destroyed by Titus in 70 C.E., leaving only the Western Wall, Jewry’s holiest shrine. Jesus’ ministry in Jerusalem was marked by miracles at Bethesda and Bethany, clashes with the Pharisees, the Triumphal Entry during Passion Week, the Last Supper in the Upper Room, Trial, Condemnation,bearing his cross on the Via Dolorosa, Crucifixion, Burial and Resurrection. On Pentecost the Holy Spirit descended on his followers. Rebuilt by Romans after Bar Kochba’s revolt as Aelia Capitolina. Conquered by Moslems in 632 who built Dome of the Rock at site of Temple. Stormed by Crusaders in 1099. Retaken by Saladin in 1187. Old City wall in its present form built by Suleiman the Magnificent in the 16th cent. Capital of Israel. Focal point of Judaism and Christianity, holy to Moslems. JERUSALEM Psalms 26, 42, 48, 84, 87, 125, 133, 134, 137, 147 On the northern border of tribe of Juda (Jebusites) (JOSH. 15:8) Melchizedek, King of Salem (GEN. 14:18) Conquest by David (II SAM. 5:1-12) Religious and political capital of the kingdom (I KINGS 3:1-12) (I KINGS 7:1-12) (II SAM. 6:1-23) Destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar 587 BC (II KINGS 25) Rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem by Nehemia (NEH. 3) Jesus foretells destruction of Jerusalem (LUKE 21, 20) Jerusalem represents the chosen people (EZEK. 23; IS. 62) The Holy City (NEH: 11:1) Meeting place of the nations (IS. 2:1-5,60) Vision of the New Jerusalem (IS. 54:11-17: 62) The Holy City, the New Jerusalem at the end of time (REV. 21:2)
JERUSALEM – MOUNT MORIAH (THE TEMPLE AREA)
Sacrifice of Abraham (GEN. 22:2) David desires to build a house for God (II SAM. 7:1-17) Construction of the Temple of Solomon (I KINGS 5&6) Dedication of the Temple (I KINGS 8) Vision of the prophet Isaiah in the Temple (IS. 6:1-8) Threats: this is the Temple of the Eternal (JER. 7:1-15) The book of the Law found in the Temple (II KINGS 22); Destruction of the Temple by Nebuchadnezzar (II KINGS 25) Vision of the future Temple (EX. 40 & 44) Reconstruction and dedication of the Temple 300 BC (EZRA. 4:24 & 6) Plunder of the Temple by Antiochus Epiphanies (I MAC. 1:20-42) Western Wall (Deut. 6:4-9) The birth of John the Baptist: Annunciation (LUKE 1:5-25) Presentation of Jesus in the Temple (LUKE 2:22-38) Finding of Jesus in the Temple (LUKE 2:40-42) Pinnacle of the Temple – Temptation of Jesus (LUKE 4:9-13) Expulsion of the dealers from the Temple (MATT. 21:12-17) Jesus teaches (JOHN 7: 14-53)
JERUSALEM – MOUNT OF OLIVES
David leaves Jerusalem trying to flee from Absalom (II SAM. 15:30-32) Solomon builds a place on the hill that is near Jerusalem (I KINGS 11:7-8) The Glory of the Lord stood upon the mountain which is on the East side of the City. (EZEK. 11, 23) The Messiah enters Jerusalem (MATT. 21, 1-16) The agony of Jesus in Gethsemane (MATT. 26:3056) The Ascension of Jesus (LUKE 24:50); The Ascension of Jesus (ACTS 1 :4-12) Jesus announces the destruction of the Temple (MARK 13:3) Jesus went to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him (LUKE 22, 39) JERUSALEM– MOUNT ZION Site of King David’s tomb. Cenacle: Last supper room (MATT. 26:26-35) (LUKE 22:14-38) Pentecost (ACTS 2:1-4) Crypt of the Dormition Abbey Saint Peter in Galli Cantu (JN. 18:15-27) Denial of Peter JORDAN RIVER Place of Baptism of John Bethabara (JOHN 1:28); Baptism of Jesus (MARK 1:9-11)
JERICHO
First town conquered by Joshua (JOSH. 4:5-6) Prophets Elijah and Elisha (II KINGS 2:19-22) Cure of the blind man (MATT. 20:30)
JAFFA=TEL-AVIV
Jonah embarked for Tarshish (JONAH 1:3-17); Dorcas was raised by prayers of Peter (Acts 9:40-41)
KAL’AT NIMRUD
Stronghold of the Assassins conquered by the Crusaders and later by the Mamelukes.
KIRYAT-JEARIM (ABU-GHOSH)
From here David brought the Ark to Jerusalem. A Roman fortress, crusaders Church.
KISHON: RIVER AT THE FOOT OF CARMEL
Song of Deborah (JUDGES 5:21) Elijah led them to the river Kishon (I KINGS 18:40)
KURSI
Where Jesus held the man possessed by devils (MATT. 8; MARK 5; LUKE 8)
LYDDA (LOD)
Peter cured Aeneas. Legendary city of St. George (ACTS 9:32-35)
MAMRE
Abraham settles at the oak of Mamre (GEN. 13:18) Apparition of the three men (GEN. 18:1-18)
MOUNT GERIZIM — MOUNT EBAL
Israel assembles on Gerizim and Ebal (JOSH. 8:33) Blessing on Gerizim, curse on Ebal (DEUT. 11:29-30)
MEGIDDO (ARMAGEDDON)
Fortifications and stables of King Solomon (I KINGS 9:15) Prophecies about Megiddo and Israel (ZECH. 12:11) Armageddon Apocalypse (APOC. 16:16)
MAGDALA (MIGDAL)
Village of Mary Magdalene (LUKE 8:1-2) Apparition to Mary Magdalene at the Tomb (MARK 16:9-11)
MOUNT GILBOA
Battle of Saul (I SAM. 28:4) Canticle of David on Saul and Jonathan (II SAM. 1:17-24)
MOUNT OF BEATITUDES
The Beatitudes (MATT. 5:1-12) Sermon on the Mount
MOUNT TABOR
Victory of Barak under order of Deborah (JUDGES 4:5-16) The Transfiguration (MARK 9:2-8; LUKE 9:28-36; MATT 17:1 -9)
MOUNT CARMEL
Associated with the prophets Elijah and Elisha
MASADA
Herod’s magnificent palace and fortress. Last heroic Jewish stand against the Romans in 73 C.E. and mass suicide of its 960 defenders.
MAR SABA
Founded by St. Sabas in 483 C.E.
NAIN
Resurrection of the son of the widow (LUKE 7:11-17)
NAHAL HEVER
Scrolls found here dated from C.E. 88-135 describe the Jewish rebellion against the Romans, led by Bar Kochba
NAZARETH
Site of the Annunciation. The return to Nazareth (LUKE 2:39;LUKE 1:26-38) Preaching of Jesus in the Synagogue (LUKE 4:15-30)
POOLS OF SOLOMON (URTAS)
These reservoirs furnished water to Jerusalem (SONG OF SONGS 4:12)
PROBATIC POOL (SAINT ANNES)
The healing of the paralytic man (JOHN 5:1-18)
POOL OF SILOAH
End of Hezekiah’s tunnel (IS. 8:6) Cure of the man born blind (JOHN 9) Israel
QUMRAN
Where the Essenes wrote the Dead Sea Scrolls discovered here in 1947 after 2000 years.
QARANTAL
Mount of the Temptation (MATT. 4:1-11)
RACHEL’S TOMB
On the way to Ephrata, were Rachel died (GEN: 35:16-20)
SAMARIA—SEBASTE
Founded as capital of Israel by Omri (I KINGS 16:23-25) Town taken by the Assyrians (II KINGS 17:5-6) Philip preaches in the city (ACTS 8:5) Peter and John come to the city (ACTS 8:14)
SEA OF GALILEE
Jesus taught from Peter’s boat (MARK 3:7-9) Miraculous draught of fishes (LUKE: 5:1-11) Calming of the storm (MATT. 8:23-27) Jesus walks on the water (MARK 6:45; MATT. 14:22-23)
SHECHEM—NABLUS—BALATA
Abraham passes through, coming from Ur (GEN. 12:6)Agreement between the sons of Jacob and Shechem (GEN. 12:6-7) Origin of the Samaritans (II KINGS 17:24-41) Jesus and the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well (JN. 4:1-24)
SEA OF GALILEE— LAKE TIBERIAS—LAKE KINNERET
Below Sea Level. Lake where violent storms rush down from surrounding mountains. Here Jesus rebuked the winds and the sea. (MATT. 8:26)
SEPPHORIS
Home of Joachim and Anna. Rebuilt and beautified by Herod Antipas (LUKE 13:32) St. Theodosius: The three Magi rested here on their way to Bethlehem
SHEPHERDS’ FIELD
Traditional site of angels message to the shepherds
TABGHA
The Multiplying of the Loaves and Fishes (MARK 6:30-46)The Sanctuary of the Primacy (JN. 21)The Sanctuary of the Sermon on the Mount (MATT. 5:1-12)
TIBERIAS
Built by Herod Antipas (JOHN 6:23) After the fall of Jerusalem it became a centre of Jewish learning.
VALLEY OF ELAH
David’s contest with Goliath (I SAM. 17)
VALLEY OF SOREK
Home of Delilah (JUDGES 16:4)
VIA DOLOROSA
Way of the Cross. See the 4 accounts of the Passion and Resurrection of Jesus.
VALLEY OF SHARON
The fertile valley of Sharon (ISAIAH 35:2)
VALLEY OF YEZREEL
Installation of Tribes (JUDGES 1:27-28)
VALLEY OF AJALON
Here Joshua commanded the moon to stand still and defeated the Canaanites
YAVNE
Trading post on Via Maris. Jewish center after fall of Jerusalem