Map of Canaan, Promised Land
Map of Canaan, Promised Land
Map of Canaan, Promised Land
Ancient Israel, known as Canaan, was located in the eastern Mediterranean region on a plug of ground with diverse geography: seacoast, mountains, river valley, desert. There's also some wasteland that's something of a cross between desert, Mars, and the floormat in a '91 Buick Skylark.
Hill people
The land affected where Israelites chose to live. And it directed the battles they fought with neighboring peoples such as the Philistines and others.
The Jordan River runs down the center of the country, providing a source of water for the Israelites and their crops.
Israelites settled in various parts of the country, depending on the availability of water, fertile land, and defensive positions. Hilltops were good. The Bible describes the Israelites settling in areas such as the central hill country, the Jordan Valley, and the coastal plain.
Powerful Philistine enemy
Philistines, a powerful people of the ancient Near East, today's Middle East, lived in the coastal plain. They were a constant threat to the Israelites. The Bible describes several battles between the Israelites and the Philistines, including the famous story of David and Goliath.
The geography of the land also played a role in these battles. The Philistines' control of the coastal plain gave them a strategic advantage in terms of trade and military power. However, the Israelites' knowledge of the hill country and their ability to use it to their advantage helped them win battles against the Philistines.
Israel's many enemies
The Israelites also faced conflicts with other neighboring peoples, including the Canaanites, Amorites, and Moabites. The geography of the land influenced these conflicts as well, with battles often fought over valuable resources such as water and fertile land.
Lay of the land
Map Israel splits in two
Hebrews 8 map
Hebrews 8 map
Hebrews 8 map. New contract with God. "The time is coming when I’m going to make a new agreement with the people from Israel and from Judah."
New contract with God
Sea of Galilee
Galilee map
Bible Map Galilee
Bible Map Galilee
Bible Map Galilee
Jesus grew up in Galilee. it's a green and beautiful land with soil so rich that first-century Jewish historian Josephus said a lazy person could make a good living farming there. He reported there were 204 villages in the area, according to Who's Who & Where's Where in the Bible, by Stephen M. Miller. The Casual English Bible describes Galilee as a hilly and fertile area with a good climate and a thriving agriculture. It's the main breadbasket provider of food for Israel and Palestinians today.
Jesus of Galilee
According to the Bible, Jesus spent most of his life and did most of his miracles in Galilee. He grew up in Nazareth, a small town nestled in the hills of Galilee, and easy to miss.
He later traveled throughout the region preaching and teaching.
Galilee is where he fed 5,000 just just a few fish and a little bread. This is he preached the Sermon on the Mount. It all took place in the countryside, far from crowded Jerusalem.
Home to many disciples
Galilee was also home to several of Jesus' disciples, including Peter, Andrew, James, and John. They were fishermen, and their knowledge of the Sea of Galilee and the surrounding area proved useful in their travels with Jesus.
Land of conflict
This was a land of conflict, with various powers vying for control throughout the centuries. That's because Galilee was an important trade hub, connecting the Mediterranean world with the east.
After Rome crushed a Jewish revolt and then leveled the Jerusalem Temple, many Jewish scholars moved to Galilee. It became known as the place where scholars compiled their most sacred writings and Bible commentaries and debates about traditions, such as the Mishnah and Talmud.
Galilee