Nabi Samwil, Palestine Samuel, the great prophet of Israel during the time of its transition from a confederation of tribes into a kingdom, was arguably the most important figure of the Hebrew Bible since the days of Moses and Joshua. Though he was not a high priest, he was the last of the great Judges and the first of the great Prophets. His life began in a land divided … [Read more...]
TOMB OF JOSHUA
Kifl Hares, Palestine Of all of the major figures of the Exodus period, Joshua was the last survivor. His life and death in the 14th century BC marked the end of Jewish prehistory and the beginning of the Israelite nation. His tomb was the last major shrine associated with the Exodus to be constructed. It has the distinction of being one of the most reliably known tombs … [Read more...]
ANCIENT SHILOH
Beth-El, Palestine Shiloh was the religious and defacto political capital of the Israelites during the first three centuries or so of their occupation of Canaan. Established by Joshua, Shiloh was home to both the Tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant throughout the era of the Judges. Three times per year, every Israelite was required to visit the Tabernacle to leave … [Read more...]
ANCIENT JERICHO & RUINS OF GILGAL
Jericho, Palestine Jericho may be humanity’s oldest known true city, and its location made it a natural candidate for a prominent role in Biblical history. Indeed, this great fortress-city was center stage for one of the Hebrew Bible’s most famous events. Its destruction by the Israelites in the days of Joshua was nothing short of miraculous, and opened the way to the … [Read more...]
TOMBS OF THE SONS OF AARON
Awarta, Palestine Though Aaron himself never made it to the Promised Land, his sons and grandsons did. These were the first high priests of Israel, and were personally responsible for the care of the Tabernacle, the Ark of the Covenant and other important artifacts. Some of Aaron’s descendents, including Eleazar, Ithamar and Phinehas, were buried here on what is known in … [Read more...]
ANCIENT SHECHEM & TOMB OF JOSEPH
Nablus, Palestine The Biblical city of Shechem, the modern-day city of Nablus, is one of the Holy Land’s oldest cities. It played a major role during several periods of ancient Israeli history, and is home to a number of lesser but very popular Biblical pilgrimage sites, the most important being the Tomb of Joseph. The other major site is Mount Gezrin, believed by both … [Read more...]
TOMB OF RACHEL
Bethlehem, Palestine The town of Bethlehem is so closely associated with the birth of Jesus of Nazareth and the Christmas holiday that it is easy to forget the city’s Jewish heritage and the significant role that Bethlehem played in the Hebrew Bible. First and foremost it is the location of the Tomb of Rachel, the second wife of the patriarch Jacob and the mother of Joseph … [Read more...]
TOMB OF THE PATRIARCHS
Hebron, Palestine The Tomb of the Patriarchs, also known as the Cave of Machpelah, was the first great place of pilgrimage in ancient Israel, and one of the world’s oldest major religious shrines in general. According to a very old tradition, it is the place where the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are buried, along with their wives. The greatest of all patriarchal … [Read more...]
CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY
Bethlehem, Palestine The Church of the Nativity stands on the traditional site of the birthplace of Jesus Christ, and is the second holiest site in Christendom after the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem. The current structure dates in part to the 6th century AD and is one of the oldest Christian churches still in use in the Holy Land. The Church of the Nativity is part of a … [Read more...]
