Hela Crown-Tamir - How to Walk in the Footsteps of Jesus and the Prophets: A Scripture Reference Guide for Biblical Sites in Israel and Jordan

Job 36:24

These Biblical sites are both ancient and present sites in Israel and Jordan, with a few in Egypts Sinai Peninsula. The purpose of this book is to enable the reader, my fellow guides and the travelers to walk, visit and explore these sites today. The explanations are short and concise. The sites are the birthplaces, homes, Biblical and historical places named in the Bible, in both the Old and New Testament. They are sites from the time of Abraham (2200 BC) until the time of Jesus of Nazareth (4BC-30AD), including the early church and Mishnah period, up until the second century. This book will enable one to look up the site quickly in its alphabetical form, read the Biblical references, and travel to the site from most major cities in Israel and Jordan. The section named Specific Sites where Jesus walked is after the main entries.

I invite the reader to explore the Land of the Bible in connection with its Biblical history, and I use the name Prophet on the title page to include the Patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and their families and descendants who are mentioned specifically in the Bible. It also includes all those who were divinely inspired and honored and called Prophets in the Bible. You will walk in the modern and ancient sites as these forefathers of Biblical history did.

The alphabetized sites are listed by the names they are known by today or the ancient name, with an explanation. Different names were used to refer to the same site in different time periods. I have made a cross reference to all the names when necessary. I have attempted to give exact names with the Hebrew in parenthesis. The Hebrew translation is always understood. Some entries have Greek, Latin, Arabic or Aramaic translations, as indicated. The entry tells the current status of the site and its description, then its location and a further explanation, if necessary. Some entries are modern cities, and the ancient cities, or tels are nearby and are indicated, such as Arad and Tel Arad. See Tel in main entry. A few entries are explanations of the parables that Jesus used in speaking to the multitudes. He pointed to people, places and things to illustrate a point. For example, see Eye of the Needle Gate and the Mustard Seed Site. The geographical landmarks are included, and the scripture references that are in brackets are from the Old and New Testament, using the Open Bible, the New King James version, the Open Bible Expanded Edition, Thomas Nelson Publishers. At the end of the entry, you are invited to see another entry site, for further information in connection with the site you looked up. The distances from each site are in kilometers. To change kilometers into miles you multiply by six and divide by ten. Most of the sites are accessible and distanced from Jerusalem, Israels capital city, or another major city. Some sites are in Jordan and Egypt today, as indicated.

There are actually two types of sites that can be located with reasonable accuracy. Some sites have not been exactly identified or are no longer visible. I have included them, as they are Biblical sites and perhaps will be uncovered and explored in the future. One of my professors in guide school suggested that there are over 6000 archaeological sites in Israel, and only 250 have been excavated and explored. Many of these Biblical sites are still active digs and ...the hidden treasures in the sands are still coming to light [Deut. 33:19].

I have used the term The Promised Land in all references to Israel, as opposed to the land of Canaan. The Israelites are called The children of Israel. Both ancient and modern maps can be found at the end of these entries. Look at the specific section on the Tribes of Israel for distinguishing the borders as given by God to Moses. The map of Ezekiels vision of the Holyland gives you an interesting insight. The ancient gates of Jerusalems Old City are also illustrated and outlined for further reference. You will find the prayers for the 14 Stations of the Cross under the Via Delorosa entry at the back of this book.

Please see the Bibliography at the back of this book. My main source of information is the Bible, from which I have derived endless hours of study and enjoyment. The Bible is my handbook as I guide individuals and groups all over the land of Israel. As a licensed, official tour guide in Israel I carry and use the Bible daily, reading and relating the scriptures as we walk on these Biblical sites throughout the land. The Bible stories come alive here in the land where they occurred, as we walk in the footsteps of Jesus and the prophets. One Christian minister once commented to me that walking in the land of the Bible is the fifth gospel. I invite you, the reader, to comment or offer corrections on any of these entries, and again, I invite you to come walk in and through the land, using this small work as a reference.

Thank you.

Hela Crown-Tamir

Jerusalem 1999 / 5759

Psalm 48:2

Abarim (regions beyond) Mountain range E of the Dead Sea in Jordan. This was the second to last stopping place for the children of Israel where, with Moses, they encamped before Mt. Nebo [Numbers 33:47]. Mt. Nebo, in the northern part of the Abarim range, is across from Jericho. God commanded Moses to look at the land of Canaan which I give to the Israelites for a possession, [Deut 32:49 Amplified Bible] from the top of Mt. Nebo.

Abel (watercourse) Site near Bet Shemesh where the Philistines set the Ark of the Covenant when they returned it to Israel [I Samuel 6:7-18]. 27 kms. W from Jerusalem.

Absaloms Pillar Monument (absa-lom; father of peace) Davids rebellious son Absalom, set up a pillar for himself located in the Kings Valley, in the Kidron Valley (in front of Gethsemane) in Jerusalem [II Samuel 18:18]. See Valley of Shevah. Some Archaeologists say the present pillar of Absalom is a replacement for the one that was originally built by Absalom.

Abel Bayt-Maachah (meadow of the house of Maachah) This city, attacked by Ben-Hadad, who was King of Syria