4 The Lands of the Bible

6 The World of the Patriarchs

8 From Egypt to the Promised Land

10 Israel in Its Surroundings

12 “A Land Good and Spacious”

14 ‘When Jehovah Raised Up Judges’

16 Israel in the Days of David and Solomon

18 The Promised Land

20 Jerusalem and the Temple of Solomon

22 Empires Attack the Promised Land

24 God’s People Return to Their Land

26 Greece and Rome Influence the Jews

28 Jesus “in the Country of the Jews”

30 Jerusalem and the Temple Jesus Knew

32 Christianity Spreads Abroad

34 Index to Maps

AS ISRAEL prepared to enter the Promised Land, Moses expressed to God his deep desire: “Let me pass over, please, and see the good land that is across the Jordan, this good mountainous region.”​—De 3:25.

For Moses, that was not to be, but he did ascend a mountain facing Jericho and see the land​—‘Gilead as far as Dan and the land of Judah as far as the western sea and the Negeb and the Jordan valley.’ (De 3:27; 34:1-4) Have you heard those names? Do you know their locations?

Few of Jehovah’s people today can visit the many places they read about in the Bible. They are not able to do what God said he would have Abraham do, travel the length and breadth of the Promised Land. (Ge 13:14-17) Still, true Christians are keen to know about Bible locations and to see how they relate, one to the other.

“See the Good Land” is a tool that you can use to expand your understanding of the Scriptures. It contains photographs of actual locations, such as Gilead, shown on the cover. Even more informative are the maps, which can greatly deepen your knowledge of Bible sites.

The map on pages 2 and 3 focuses on major lands or regions. For instance, when you note where Assyria and Egypt were relative to the Promised Land, you can better understand prophecies that mention those lands. (Isa 7:18; 27:13; Ho 11:11; Mic 7:12) The small strip called the Promised Land was an ancient crossroads, and other nations sought to dominate its rich grain fields, vineyards, and olive groves.​—De 8:8; Jg 15:5.

Sometimes you will want to compare maps. For instance, Jonah was assigned to the capital of Assyria, but he sailed off for Tarshish. (Jon 1:1-3) Do you find those areas on that first map? But Tarshish is not to be mistaken for Tarsus, where the apostle Paul was born. You will find Tarsus and other notable cities on the map here.

Think of the length and route of Abraham’s trip as you pick out Ur, Haran, and Jerusalem. After Jehovah called him from Ur, he resided in Haran and then moved to the Promised Land. (Ge 11:28–12:1; Ac 7:2-5) Abraham’s trip will come more alive as you study “The World of the Patriarchs,” on pages 6-7.

The first map and the one here are not time specific. After those two, the maps are basically in historical order. Cities or details on a map relate to events of a certain period. While the Index (pages 34-5) does not include every site named on the maps, it can usually help you to find which maps relate to the point you are currently researching.

The map in the center spread (pages 18-19) has the largest collection of towns and cities in the Promised Land. The Map Legend will help you to find the Levite cities and the six cities of refuge as well as to know whether a place was mentioned in the Hebrew Scriptures, the Greek Scriptures, or both.

The locations of some Biblical sites are presently unknown, so most of those names are not on that center map. Also, it was not possible to fit on it every city and town, such as all in the lists of tribal boundaries. (Jos, chaps. 15-19) Yet, that map usually includes nearby cities, thus enabling you to approximate the location. Some geographic features (mountains, rivers, and torrent valleys) are marked, and elevation and terrain are indicated by colors. Such details can help you to visualize aspects of Bible events.

More information about Bible locations is available in the encyclopedia Insight on the Scriptures, which is available in many languages.a As you use that and other Bible study aids, keep “See the Good Land” at hand. Consult it as you study all the Scriptures, which are so beneficial in your life.​—2Ti 3:​16, 17.

[Footnote]

[Map on page 4, 5]

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Bible Lands and Key Cities

A1 ITALY

A2 ROME

A3 SICILY

A3 MALTA

C2 MACEDONIA

C2 Philippi

C2 GREECE

C3 ATHENS

C3 Corinth

C3 CRETE

C4 LIBYA

D3 Antioch (of Pisidia)

D3 Ephesus

D3 PATMOS

D3 RHODES

D4 MEMPHIS

D5 EGYPT

E2 ASIA MINOR

E3 Tarsus

E3 Antioch (of Syria)

E3 CYPRUS

E4 Sidon

E4 Damascus

E4 Tyre

E4 Caesarea

E4 PROMISED LAND

E4 JERUSALEM

E4 MOAB

E4 Kadesh

E4 EDOM

F3 Garden of Eden?

F3 ASSYRIA

F3 Haran

F3 SYRIA

F5 ARABIA

G3 NINEVEH

G4 BABYLON

G4 CHALDEA

G4 Shushan

G4 Ur

H3 MEDIA

[Mountains]

E5 Mt. Sinai

G2 ARARAT MTS.

[Bodies of water]

C3 Mediterranean Sea (Great Sea)

E1 Black Sea

E5 Red Sea

H2 Caspian Sea

H5 Persian Gulf

[Rivers]

D5 Nile River

F3 Euphrates River

G3 Tigris River

STEPHEN began a famous speech with some geographic facts: “[Jehovah] appeared to our forefather Abraham while he was in Mesopotamia, before he took up residence in Haran, and he said to him, ‘Go . . . into the land I shall show you.’” (Ac 7:1-4) This laid a basis for key events in the Promised Land involving Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, events linked to God’s purpose to bless mankind.​—Ge 12:1-3; Jos 24:3.

God called Abraham (or, Abram) from Ur of the Chaldeans, a prosperous city then located on the east bank of the Euphrates River. What route would Abraham take? From Chaldea, a region also called Sumer or Shinar, it might seem easy to go due west. Why go way up to Haran?

Ur lay near the eastern end of the Fertile Crescent, a semicircle extending from Palestine to the basin of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. This area may formerly have had a more moderate climate. Below the curve of the crescent lay the Syro-Arabian Desert, marked by limestone hills and sandy plains. The Encyclopædia Britannica says that it was “a nearly impenetrable barrier” between the Mediterranean Coast and Mesopotamia. Some caravans might cross from the Euphrates to Tadmor and then to Damascus, but Abraham did not lead his family and herds through such a wilderness.

Rather, Abraham went up the Euphrates River valley to Haran. From there he could follow a trade route to a ford at Carchemish and then head south by Damascus and on to what came to be called the Sea of Galilee. The Via Maris, or “The Way of the Sea,” ran by Megiddo and on to Egypt. However, Abraham traveled through the mountains of Samaria, finally tenting at Shechem. In time, he continued down that highland route. Follow him as you read Genesis 12:8–13:4. Note other places that were part of his varied experience: Dan, Damascus, Hobah, Mamre, Sodom, Gerar, Beer-sheba, and Moriah (Jerusalem).​—Ge 14:14-16; 18:1-16; 20:1-18; 21:25-34; 22:1-19.

Understanding some of the geography illuminates events in the lives of Isaac and Jacob. For instance, while Abraham was in Beer-sheba, where did he send his servant to find a wife for Isaac? Way up to Mesopotamia (meaning, “Land Between Rivers”) to Paddan-aram. Then imagine Rebekah’s strenuous trip by camel to the Negeb, perhaps near Kadesh, to meet Isaac.​—Ge 24:10, 62-64.

Later their son Jacob (Israel) made a similar long trip to marry a worshiper of Jehovah. Jacob took a somewhat different route back to his land. After he forded the Jabbok near Penuel, Jacob wrestled with an angel. (Ge 31:21-25; 32:2, 22-30) Esau met him in that area, and then each went to reside in a different region.​—Ge 33:1, 15-20.

After Jacob’s daughter Dinah was raped at Shechem, Jacob moved to Bethel. Can you envision, though, how far Jacob’s sons went to pasture his flock and where Joseph eventually found them? This map (and pages 18-19) may help you to see the distance between Hebron and Dothan. (Ge 35:1-8; 37:12-17) Joseph’s brothers sold him to traders headed to Egypt. What route do you think they were taking in an event that set the stage for the Israelites’ move to Egypt and for the Exodus?​—Ge 37:25-28.

[Maps on page 7]

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Abraham’s Travels (see publication)

Isaac’s Travels (see publication)

Jacob’s Travels (see publication)

Main Roads (see publication)

Patriarchs (overview)

A4 GOSHEN

A5 EGYPT

B4 SHUR

B5 PARAN

C3 Damascus

C3 Dan (Laish)

C4 Shechem

C4 Bethel

C4 Hebron (Kiriath-arba)

C4 Gerar

C4 Beer-sheba

C4 SEIR

C4 Kadesh

C5 EDOM

D1 Carchemish

D2 Tadmor

D3 Hobah

E1 PADDAN-ARAM

E1 Haran

F2 MESOPOTAMIA

G1 Nineveh

G2 FERTILE CRESCENT

G3 Babylon

H4 CHALDEA

H4 Ur

[Mountains]

C4 Moriah

[Bodies of water]

B3 Mediterranean Sea (Great Sea)

[Rivers]

E2 Euphrates

G2 Tigris

Patriarchs (in Promised Land)

CANAAN

Megiddo

GILEAD

Dothan

Shechem

Succoth

Mahanaim

Penuel

Bethel (Luz)

Ai

Jerusalem (Salem)

Bethlehem (Ephrath)

Mamre

Hebron (Machpelah)

Gerar

Beer-sheba

Sodom?

NEGEB

Rehoboth?

Beer-lahai-roi

Kadesh

Main Roads

Via Maris

King’s Road

[Mountains]

Moriah

[Bodies of water]

Salt Sea

[Rivers and streams]

Jabbok

Jordan

[Picture on page 6]

Euphrates River near Babylon

[Picture on page 6]

Abraham lived in Beer-sheba and pastured flocks nearby

[Picture on page 6]

Torrent valley of Jabbok

PEOPLE everywhere know of the Exodus from Egypt. But what awaited Moses and God’s people after they crossed the Red Sea? Where did they head, and how did they reach the Jordan River to enter the Promised Land?

Their goal was the land of Canaan, yet Moses did not take the shortest route​—about 250 miles (400 km) along the sandy coast—​which would have led straight through Philistia, enemy territory. Nor did he head across the vast center of the Sinai Peninsula, where intense heat baked the gravel and limestone plateau. No, Moses led the people south, down the narrow coastal plain. The first camp was at Marah, where Jehovah made bitter water turn sweet.a After leaving Elim, the people murmured for food; God sent quail and then manna. At Rephidim, water was again an issue, attacking Amalekites were vanquished, and Moses’ father-in-law urged him to get help from capable men.​—Ex, chaps. 15-18.

Moses then led Israel toward the mountains farther south, camping at Mount Sinai. There God’s people received the Law, built the tabernacle, and offered sacrifices. In the second year, they went north through a “great and fear-inspiring wilderness,” the journey to the area of Kadesh (Kadesh-barnea) apparently taking 11 days. (De 1:1, 2, 19; 8:15) Because of becoming fearful over a negative report from ten spies, the people had to wander for 38 years. (Nu 13:1–14:34) Among their stops were Abronah and Ezion-geber, and then they went back to Kadesh.​—Nu 33:33-36.

When it was finally time for Israel to approach the Promised Land, the Israelites did not move due north. Their route took them around Edom’s heartland and up “the king’s road,” the King’s Highway. (Nu 21:22; De 2:1-8) It was not easy for a whole nation​—with children, animals, and tents—​to move over this trail. They had to wind down into and climb back out of formidable gorges​—the Zered and the Arnon (nearly 1,700 feet (520 m) deep).​—De 2:13, 14, 24.

Finally, the Israelites reached Mount Nebo. Miriam had died at Kadesh, and Aaron, at Mount Hor. Moses now died in sight of the land he had desired to enter. (De 32:48-52; 34:1-5) It fell to Joshua to lead Israel into the land, ending a journey begun 40 years earlier.​—Jos 1:1-4.

[Footnote]

[Map on page 9]

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Exodus Route

Route Israel Took

A7 EGYPT

A5 Rameses?

B5 Succoth?

C5 Etham?

C5 Pihahiroth

D6 Marah

D6 Elim

E6 WILDERNESS OF SIN

E7 Dophkah

F8 Rephidim

F8 Mt. Sinai (Horeb)

F8 WILDERNESS OF SINAI

F7 Kibroth-hattaavah

G7 Hazeroth

G6 Rimmon-perez

G5 Rissah

G3 Kadesh

G3 Bene-jaakan

G5 Hor-haggidgad

H5 Jotbathah

H5 Abronah

H6 Ezion-geber

G3 Kadesh

G3 WILDERNESS OF ZIN

H3 Mt. Hor

H3 Zalmonah

I3 Punon

I3 Iye-abarim

I2 MOAB

I1 Dibon

I1 Almon-diblathaim

H1 Jericho

[Other locations]

A3 GOSHEN

A4 On

A5 Memphis (Noph)

B3 Zoan

B3 Tahpanhes

C5 Migdol

D3 SHUR

D5 WILDERNESS OF ETHAM

F5 WILDERNESS OF PARAN

G1 PHILISTIA

G1 Ashdod

G2 Gaza

G2 Beer-sheba

G3 Azmon

G3 NEGEB

H1 Jerusalem

H1 Hebron (Kiriath-arba)

H2 Arad (Canaanite)

H4 SEIR

H4 EDOM

I7 MIDIAN

Main Roads

Way to the Land of the Philistines

Way to Shur

I4 King’s Road

Caravan Route

El Haj Route

[Mountains]

F8 Mt. Sinai (Horeb)

H3 Mt. Hor

I1 Mt. Nebo

[Bodies of water]

E2 Mediterranean Sea (Great Sea)

D7/G7 Red Sea

I1 Salt Sea

[Rivers and streams]

A6 Nile River

F3 T.V. of Egypt

I2 Arnon

I3 Zered

[Picture on page 8]

Caravans crossed the Sinai Peninsula

[Picture on page 8]

Israel camped before Mount Sinai

[Picture on page 9]

Water was available from springs at or near Kadesh

[Picture on page 9]

All Israel had to traverse the torrent valley of Arnon

JEHOVAH told Abraham: ‘Go from Ur in Mesopotamia to the country that I shall show you.’ That country was inhabited and surrounded by other nations.​—Ge 12:1-3; 15:17-21.

As God’s people moved away from Egypt, they knew that they might face resistance from enemies, such as “the despots of Moab.” (Ex 15:14, 15) The Amalekites, Moabites, Ammonites, and Amorites were on Israel’s route to the Promised Land. (Nu 21:11-13; De 2:17-33; 23:3, 4) And the Israelites would encounter other enemy nations in the land that God had promised them.

God said that Israel was to “clear away” seven “populous nations”​—the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites—​that merited destruction. They were morally degraded and religiously corrupt. Their gods included Baal (noted for phallic stone pillars), Molech (object of child sacrifice), and the fertility goddess Ashtoreth (Astarte).​—De 7:1-4; 12:31; Ex 23:23; Le 18:21-25; 20:2-5; Jg 2:11-14; Ps 106:37, 38.

Sometimes the whole area that God was giving to Israel was called “Canaan,” from north of Sidon to “the torrent valley of Egypt.” (Nu 13:2, 21; 34:2-12; Ge 10:19) At other times the Bible names various nations, city-states, or peoples in that land. Some had distinct locales, such as the Philistines on the coast and the Jebusites in the mountains near Jerusalem. (Nu 13:29; Jos 13:3) Others changed locations or territory over time.​—Ge 34:1, 2; 49:30; Jos 1:4; 11:3; Jg 1:16, 23-26.

At the time of the Exodus, the Amorites were likely the dominant tribe.a (De 1:19-21; Jos 24:15) They had seized Moabite land down to the torrent valley of Arnon, though the area across from Jericho was still called “the desert plains of Moab.” Amorite kings also ruled Bashan and Gilead.​—Nu 21:21-23, 33-35; 22:1; 33:46-51.

Even though they had God’s backing, the Israelites did not eliminate all those condemned nations, who over time ensnared Israel. (Nu 33:55; Jos 23:13; Jg 2:3; 3:5, 6; 2Ki 21:11) Yes, the Israelites fell victim despite the warning: “You must not walk after other gods, any gods of the peoples who are all around you.”​—De 6:14; 13:7.

[Footnote]

[Map on page 11]

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Nations to Be Displaced From the Promised Land

PHILISTIA (D8)

C8 Ashkelon

C9 Gaza

D8 Ashdod

D8 Gath

D9 Gerar

CANAAN (D8)

B10 AMALEKITES

C12 Hazar-addar (Addar?)

C12 Kadesh (Kadesh-barnea)

D8 Lachish

D9 Beer-sheba

D10 AMORITES

D11 NEGEB

E4 Dor

E5 Megiddo

E5 Taanach

E6 Aphek

E6 HIVITES

E7 JEBUSITES

E8 Beth-shemesh

E8 Hebron (Kiriath-arba)

E9 HITTITES

E9 Debir

E10 Arad (Canaanite)

E10 KENITES

E11 Akrabbim

F4 GIRGASHITES

F6 Shechem

F7 PERIZZITES

F7 Gilgal

F7 Jericho

F8 Jerusalem

G2 HIVITES

G2 Dan (Laish)

G3 Hazor

PHOENICIA (F2)

E2 Tyre

F1 Sidon

EDOM (F12)

F11 SEIR

G11 Bozrah

AMORITES (SIHON) (G8)

G6 GILEAD

G7 Shittim

G7 Heshbon

G9 Aroer

SYRIA (H1)

G1 Baal-gad

G2 HIVITES

I1 Damascus

MOAB (H10)

AMORITES (OG) (I5)

G6 GILEAD

H3 BASHAN

H4 Ashtaroth

H4 Edrei

AMMON (I7)

H7 Rabbah

[Deserts]

H12 ARABIAN DESERT

[Mountains]

E4 Mt. Carmel

E11 Mt. Hor

G1 Mt. Hermon

G8 Mt. Nebo

[Bodies of water]

C6 Mediterranean Sea (Great Sea)

F9 Salt Sea

G4 Sea of Galilee

[Rivers and streams]

B11 T.V. of Egypt

F6 Jordan River

G6 T.V. of Jabbok

G9 T.V. of Arnon

G11 T.V. of Zered

[Pictures on page 10]

Right: Amorite King Og ruled Bashan, noted for its bulls and sheep

Below: Moab, looking across the Salt Sea to the wilderness of Judah

[Picture on page 11]

Jehovah directed Israel to displace nations worshiping false gods, such as Baal, Molech, and the fertility goddess Ashtoreth (shown)

AT THE burning bush, God told Moses that He would “deliver [His people] out of the hand of the Egyptians and . . . bring them . . . to a land good and spacious, to a land flowing with milk and honey.”​—Ex 3:8.

These two digital models may help you to grasp the variety of natural regions and terrains of the Promised Land. (Elevations are visually enhanced to emphasize the scale.) Consult the colored graph to see the altitudes relative to sea level.

The chart offers one way of listing natural regions of the land. You can find a description with Bible references of the regions in “All Scripture Is Inspired of God and Beneficial” (Study 1, pages 270-8) and in Insight on the Scriptures (Volume 2, pages 568-71).a

[Footnote]

[Chart/Maps on page 12, 13]

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Topography of the Land

Chart of Natural Regions

A. Coast of Great Sea

B. Plains West of Jordan

1. Plain of Asher

2. Coastal Strip of Dor

3. Pasture Grounds of Sharon

4. Plain of Philistia

5. Central East-West Valley

a. Plain of Megiddo

b. Low Plain of Jezreel

C. Mountains West of Jordan

1. Hills of Galilee

2. Hills of Carmel

3. Hills of Samaria

4. Shephelah (low hills)

5. Hill Country of Judah

6. Wilderness of Judah

7. Negeb

8. Wilderness of Paran

D. Arabah (Rift Valley)

1. Hula Basin

2. Area of Sea of Galilee

3. Jordan Valley

4. Salt Sea (Dead Sea)

5. Arabah (south of Salt Sea)

E. Mountains/Tablelands East of Jordan

1. Bashan

2. Gilead

3. Ammon and Moab

4. Mountain Plateau of Edom

F. Mountains of Lebanon

[Map]

Mt. Hermon

Dan

Jerusalem

Beersheba

Cross Section of the Promised Land

meters feet

2,500 7,500

2,000 6,000

1,500 4,500

1,000 3,000

500 1,500

0 0 (Sea Level)

-500 -1,500

Plain of Philistia

Shephelah

Hill Country of Judah

Wilderness of Judah

Rift Valley

Salt Sea

Land of Moab

[Picture on page 13]

Mt. Hermon (2,814 m; 9,232 ft)

[Picture on page 13]

Shore of Salt Sea; lowest spot on earth (about 400 m, 1,300 ft, below sea level)

‘When Jehovah Raised Up Judges’

YOU can readily find Mount Tabor (F4) on the map​—southwest of the Sea of Galilee, in the Valley of Jezreel. Try to visualize an army of 10,000 assembled on top of the mountain. Jehovah used Judge Barak and the prophetess Deborah to rally Israel against Canaanite King Jabin, who had oppressed the people for 20 years. Under army chief Sisera, Jabin’s 900 chariots equipped with menacing iron scythes came from Harosheth to the dry bed of the Kishon, between Megiddo and Mount Tabor.

Judge Barak led the men of Israel down into the valley to engage Sisera’s forces. Jehovah ensured victory by sending a flash flood that bogged down Sisera’s chariots, which panicked the Canaanites. (Jg 4:1–5:31) That was just one of the many victories that God granted Israel during the period of the Judges.

After the conquest of Canaan, the land was apportioned to the tribes of Israel. Note where various non-Levite tribes settled. The small tribe of Simeon received cities in Judah’s territory. Following Joshua’s death, the nation fell into spiritual and moral decline. Israel “got to be in very sore straits,” oppressed by enemies. Responding compassionately, ‘Jehovah raised up judges’​—12 men of faith and courage—​who delivered Israel in the course of three centuries.​—Jg 2:15, 16, 19.

Judge Gideon used only 300 lightly armed but mobile soldiers to rout 135,000 Midianite warriors. The battlefield was between Mount Gilboa and Moreh. After an initial victory, Gideon chased the enemy to the east, into the desert.​—Jg 6:1–8:32.

Jephthah, a Gileadite of the tribe of Manasseh, freed Israelite towns east of the Jordan from the Ammonite oppressors. To achieve his victory, Jephthah likely traveled on the King’s Road, which linked Ramoth-gilead and the area of Aroer.​—Jg 11:1–12:7.

Samson’s exploits against the Philistines centered on the coastal area around Gaza and Ashkelon. Gaza lies in a well-watered region famous for agriculture. Samson used 300 foxes to set fire to the Philistines’ grainfields, vineyards, and olive groves.​—Jg 15:4, 5.

As evident from the Biblical account or as suggested by their tribe, the judges were active across the Promised Land. Wherever the scene of action, Jehovah took good care of his repentant people in times of crisis.

[Map on page 15]

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Tribes and Judges

Judges

1. Othniel (Tribe of Manasseh)

2. Ehud (Tribe of Judah)

3. Shamgar (Tribe of Judah)

4. Barak (Tribe of Naphtali)

5. Gideon (Tribe of Issachar)

6. Tola (Tribe of Manasseh)

7. Jair (Tribe of Manasseh)

8. Jephthah (Tribe of Gad)

9. Ibzan (Tribe of Zebulun)

10. Elon (Tribe of Zebulun)

11. Abdon (Tribe of Ephraim)

12. Samson (Tribe of Judah)

Tribal Allotments (See publication)

Enclave Cities of Manasseh

E4 Dor

E5 Megiddo

E5 Taanach

F4 En-dor

F5 Beth-shean (Beth-shan)

F5 Ibleam (Gath-rimmon)

Enclave Cities of Simeon

C9 Sharuhen (Shaaraim) (Shilhim)

C10 Beth-lebaoth (Beth-biri)

D8 Ether (Tochen)

D9 Ziklag

D9 Ain

D9 Hazar-susah?

D9 Ashan

D9 Beer-sheba

D10 Hazar-shual

E9 Etam

E9 Beth-marcaboth

E9 Bethuel? (Chesil?)

E9 Sheba? (Jeshua)

E10 Baalath-beer (Baal)

E10 Ezem

Levite Cities of Refuge

E8 Hebron

F3 Kedesh

F6 Shechem

H4 Golan

H5 Ramoth-gilead

H8 Bezer

Main Roads

B10 Via Maris

G10 King’s Road

Tribes of Israel

DAN (D7)

D7 Joppa

E8 Zorah

JUDAH (D9)

C8 Ashkelon

C9 Gaza

C9 Sharuhen (Shaaraim) (Shilhim)

C10 Beth-lebaoth (Beth-biri)

C12 Azmon

C12 Kadesh

D7 Jabneel

D8 Ether (Tochen)

D9 Ziklag

D9 Ain

D9 Hazar-susah?

D9 Ashan

D9 Beer-sheba

D10 Hazar-shual

E8 Lehi

E8 Bethlehem

E8 Hebron

E9 Etam

E9 Beth-marcaboth

E9 Bethuel? (Chesil?)

E9 Sheba? (Jeshua)

E10 Baalath-beer (Baal)

E10 Ezem

ASHER (E3)

E2 Tyre

E4 Harosheth

E4 Dor

F1 Sidon

MANASSEH (E5)

E6 Shamir (Samaria)

E6 Pirathon

F6 Shechem

G5 Abel-meholah

EPHRAIM (E7)

E7 Timnath-serah

F6 Tappuah

F6 Shiloh

F7 Bethel (Luz)

NAPHTALI (F3)

F2 Beth-anath

F3 Kedesh

G3 Hazor

ZEBULUN (F4)

E4 Bethlehem

ISSACHAR (F5)

E5 Megiddo

E5 Kedesh (Kishion)

E5 Taanach

F4 En-dor

F5 Beth-shittah

F5 Beth-shean (Beth-shan)

F5 Ibleam (Gath-rimmon)

BENJAMIN (F7)

F7 Gilgal

F8 Jerusalem

DAN (G2)

G2 Dan (Laish)

MANASSEH (H3)

H4 Golan

GAD (H6)

G6 Succoth

G6 Penuel

G6 Mizpah (Mizpeh)

G7 Jogbehah

H5 Ramoth-gilead

H7 Rabbah

H7 Abel-keramim

REUBEN (H8)

G7 Heshbon

G9 Aroer

H7 Minnith

H8 Bezer

[Other locations]

I1 Damascus

[Mountains]

F4 Mt. Tabor

F4 Moreh

F5 Mt. Gilboa

F6 Mt. Ebal

F6 Mt. Gerizim

[Bodies of water]

C5 Mediterranean Sea (Great Sea)

F9 Salt Sea

G4 Sea of Galilee

[Rivers and streams]

B11 T.V. of Egypt

F6 Jordan River

G6 T.V. of Jabbok

G9 T.V. of Arnon

G11 T.V. of Zered

[Picture on page 14]

Mount Tabor, in Issachar’s territory, rises over the Valley of Jezreel

[Picture on page 14]

The flooding Kishon bogged down Sisera’s chariots

GOD promised to give Abram’s seed the land “from the river of Egypt to . . . the river Euphrates.” (Ge 15:18; Ex 23:31; De 1:7, 8; 11:24) After Joshua entered Canaan, it was some four centuries before the Promised Land reached those limits.

King David overthrew the Aramaean kingdom of Zobah, which reached the Euphrates in northern Syria.a To the south, David’s success against the Philistines brought him to Egypt’s border.​—2Sa 8:3; 1Ch 18:1-3; 20:4-8; 2Ch 9:26.

Solomon then ruled “from the River [Euphrates] to the land of the Philistines and to the boundary of Egypt,” foreshadowing the Messiah’s peaceful rule. (1Ki 4:21-25; 8:65; 1Ch 13:5; Ps 72:8; Zec 9:10) Still, the area that Israel occupied was normally said to extend “from Dan to Beer-sheba.”​—2Sa 3:10; 2Ch 30:5.

Disobeying God, King Solomon accumulated horses and chariots. (De 17:16; 2Ch 9:25) He could move these over a network of roads and highways. (Jos 2:22; 1Ki 11:29; Isa 7:3; Mt 8:28) We have a detailed route of only a few of these, such as “the highway that goes up from Bethel to Shechem and toward the south of Lebonah.”​—Jg 5:6; 21:19.

The Roads and Highways of Ancient Israel notes: “The most obvious difficulty in investigating ancient Israel’s road network is the fact that no clearly identifiable physical traces of the country’s roads from the Old Testament period have survived, because roads were not paved during [that period].” Yet, topography and the excavated remains of cities indicate the course of many of the roads.

Roads often influenced troop movements. (1Sa 13:17, 18; 2Ki 3:5-8) To attack Israel, the Philistines marched from Ekron and Gath to the area “between Socoh and Azekah.” Saul’s army met them there “in the low plain of Elah.” After David slew Goliath, the Philistines fled back to Gath and Ekron, and David went up to Jerusalem.​—1Sa 17:1-54.

Lachish (D10), Azekah (D9), and Beth-shemesh (D9) sat astride natural routes through the Shephelah and toward the Judean hills. Thus these cities were keys to blocking enemies on the Via Maris from coming into Israel’s heartland.​—1Sa 6:9, 12; 2Ki 18:13-17.

[Footnote]

[Maps on page 17]

(For fully formatted text, see publication)

Territory and Roads During United Monarchy

Boundaries (Solomon’s time)

Tiphsah

Hamath

Tadmor

Berothai (Cun?)

Sidon

Damascus

Tyre

Dan

Jerusalem

Gaza

Aroer

Beer-sheba

Tamar

Ezion-geber

Elath (Eloth)

[Rivers and streams]

Euphrates

T.V. of Egypt

David and Solomon (roads)

B10 Gaza

C8 Joppa

C9 Ashdod

C10 Ashkelon

C11 Ziklag

C12 WILDERNESS OF PARAN

D5 Dor

D6 Hepher

D8 Aphek

D8 Ramah

D9 Shaalbim

D9 Gezer

D9 Makaz

D9 Ekron

D9 Beth-shemesh

D9 Gath

D9 Azekah

D10 Soco(h)

D10 Adullam

D10 Keilah

D10 Lachish

D11 Jattir

D12 Beer-sheba

E2 Tyre

E4 Cabul

E5 Jokneam (Jokmeam?)

E5 Megiddo

E6 Taanach

E6 Arubboth

E7 Pirathon

E8 Lebonah

E8 Zeredah

E8 Bethel

E9 Lower Beth-horon

E9 Upper Beth-horon

E9 Geba

E9 Gibeon

E9 Gibeah

E9 Kiriath-jearim

E9 Nob

E9 Baal-perazim

E9 Jerusalem

E9 Bethlehem

E10 Tekoa

E10 Hebron

E11 Ziph

E11 Horesh?

E11 Carmel

E11 Maon

E11 Eshtemoa

F5 En-dor

F5 Shunem

F5 Jezreel

F6 Beth-shean

F7 Tirzah

F7 Shechem

F8 Zarethan

F8 Shiloh

F8 Ophrah?

F9 Jericho

F11 En-gedi

G2 Abel-beth-maacah

G2 Dan

G3 Hazor

G3 MAACAH

G5 Lo-debar (Debir)

G5 Rogelim

G6 Abel-meholah

G7 Succoth

G7 Mahanaim

H1 SYRIA

H4 GESHUR

H6 Ramoth-gilead

H8 Rabbah

H9 Medeba

H11 Aroer

H12 MOAB

I4 Helam?

I9 AMMON

[Main Roads]

C10 Via Maris

H6 King’s Road

[Mountains]

F5 Mt. Gilboa

[Bodies of water]

C8 Mediterranean Sea (Great Sea)

F10 Salt Sea (Dead Sea)

G4 Sea of Galilee

[Spring or well]

E9 En-rogel

[Pictures on page 16]

Right: Valley of Elah, looking eastward to the hills of Judah

Below: A network of roads permitted travel in the Promised Land

The Promised Land

Map Legend

▴ Levite Cities

▵ Cities of Refuge

• Hebrew Scripture Sites

○ Greek Scripture Sites

▪ Sites in Both Hebrew and Greek Scriptures

Jerusalem Area

▴ Geba

▪ Ramah

▴ Gibeon

• Azmaveth

○ Emmaus

• Chephirah

• Gibeah

• Hazor

▴ Almon

• Gallim

• Kiriath-jearim

▴ Anathoth

• Mozah

• Nob

• Bahurim

• Baal-perazim

○ Bethphage

▪ JERUSALEM

○ Bethany

• Manahath

▪ Bethlehem

[Springs and wells]

Nephtoah

En-shemesh

En-rogel

Promised Land (most cities)

A11 • Ashkelon

A11 ▪ Gaza

A12 • Gerar

A13 • Sharuhen (Shaaraim) (Shilhim)

B8 ▴ Gath-rimmon

B8 ▪ Joppa

B9 • Beth-dagon

B9 ▴ Elteke(h)

B9 • Jabneel

B10 • Gederah

B10 ▪ Ashdod

B11 • Eglon

B11 • Chitlish

B12 • Ziklag

B13 ▴ Ashan (Ain)

B13 • Beer-sheba

C5 • Dor

C6 ○ Caesarea

C7 • Hepher

C7 • Socoh

C8 • Baal-shalishah

C8 ▪ Aphek (Antipatris)

C8 • Ebenezer

C8 • Jehud

C8 ▪ Ramah (Arimathea)

C8 • Ono

C9 • Neballat

C9 • Hadid

C9 ▪ Lod (Lydda)

C9 • Gimzo

C9 • Shaalbim

C9 ▴ Gezer

C9 ▴ Gibbethon

C10 ▴ Aijalon

C10 • Timnah

C10 • Eshtaol

C10 • Ekron

C10 • Zorah

C10 ▴ Beth-shemesh

C10 • Lehi

C10 • Makkedah

C10 • Zanoah

C10 • Jarmuth

C10 • Gath

C10 • Azekah

C10 • Timnah

C10 • Soco(h)

C11 ▴ Holon

C11 • Adullam

C11 • Moresheth

C11 ▴ Libnah

C11 • Keilah

C11 • Maresha(h)

C11 • Lachish

C11 • Shaphir

C11 • Etam

C12 • Beth-ezel

C12 ▴ Debir

C12 • Anab

C12 • Goshen

C12 • Ain

C12 ▴ Jattir

C12 • Madmannah (Beth-marcaboth)

C12 • Sansannah (Hazar-susah?)

C13 • Jeshua

C13 • Hazar-shual

C13 • Jagur

D1 ▪ Zarephath

D1 • Helbah

D2 ▪ Tyre

D2 • Hammon

D3 • Misrephoth-maim

D3 • Achzib

D3 ▴ Abdon

D3 • Beth-emek

D4 • Acco

D4 ○ Ptolemais

D4 • Rehob

D4 • Neiel

D4 • Cabul

D4 • Aphek

D4 • Jotbah

D4 • Hali

D5 • Bethlehem

D5 • Harosheth

D5 • Shimron

D5 ▴ Helkath

D5 • Dabbesheth

D5 ▴ Jokneam

D5 • Sarid

D5 • Megiddo

D6 ▴ Kedesh (Kishion)

D6 • Hadadrimmon

D6 ▴ Taanach

D6 • Dothan

D6 • Arubboth

D7 • SAMARIA

D8 • Pirathon

D8 • Tappuah

D8 • Lebonah

D8 • Zeredah

D8 • Gilgal

D9 • Timnath-serah

D9 • Jeshanah

D9 • Ophni

D9 • Bethel (Luz)

D9 • Ai

D9 ▴ Lower Beth-horon

D9 • Mizpah (Mizpeh)

D9 • Upper Beth-horon

D9 • Migron

D9 ▴ Geba

D9 ▪ Ramah

D9 ▴ Gibeon

D10 ○ Emmaus

D10 • Chephirah

D10 • Gibeah

D10 • Kiriath-jearim

D10 ▴ Anathoth

D10 ▪ JERUSALEM

D10 ○ Bethany

D10 ▪ Bethlehem

D10 • Etam

D10 • Gibeah

D10 • Netophah

D11 • Tekoa

D11 • Giloh

D11 • Beth-zur

D11 • Mamre

D11 ▵ Hebron (Machpelah)

D11 • Kain

D12 • Ziph

D12 • Horesh?

D12 ▴ Juttah

D12 • Carmel

D12 • Maon

D12 ▴ Eshtemoa

D12 • Hazor (Bethuel?) (Chesil?)

D13 • Arad

D13 • Ramah (Baal)

E2 • Migdal-el

E2 • Kanah

E2 • Beth-anath

E3 • Yiron

E3 • Ramah

E4 ○ Cana

E4 • Madon

E4 ▴ Dimnah

E4 • Rumah

E5 • Gath-hepher

E5 • Lassharon

E5 ○ Nazareth

E5 ▴ Daberath

E5 • Chesulloth

E5 • En-dor

E5 ○ Nain

E5 • Shunem

E5 • Ophrah

E6 • Jezreel

E6 • Beth-shittah

E6 ▴ En-gannim

E6 ▴ Ibleam (Gath-rimmon)

E7 • Bezek

E7 • Thebez

E7 • Tirzah

E7 ○ Sychar

E7 ▵ Shechem

E8 • Michmethath

E8 • Taanath-shiloh

E8 • Arumah

E8 • Zarethan

E8 • Shiloh

E9 • Baal-hazor

E9 ▪ Ephraim (Ophrah?)

E9 • Naarah

E9 • Gilgal

E9 • Michmas(h)

E9 ▪ Jericho

E10 • Parah

E10 ▴ Almon

E10 • City of Salt

E10 • Secacah

E10 • Nibshan

E12 • En-gedi

E13 • Sodom?

F1 • Baal-gad

F1 • Ijon

F2 • Abel-beth-maacah

F2 • Dan (Laish)

F2 ○ Caesarea Philippi

F2 • Janoah

F2 ▵ Kedesh

F3 • Edrei

F3 • Meroz

F3 • Hazor

F4 ○ Chorazin

F4 ○ Bethsaida

F4 ○ Capernaum

F4 • Chinnereth

F4 ○ Magadan

F4 • Rakkath

F4 ○ Tiberias

F4 • Aphek

F4 ▴ Hammath (Hammoth-dor)

F5 • Jabneel

F5 • Beth-shemesh

F5 ○ Gadara

F5 ▴ Ramoth (Jarmuth)

F5 • Lo-debar (Debir)

F6 ▪ Beth-shean (Beth-shan) (Scythopolis)

F6 ○ Pella

F6 • Jabesh-gilead?

F6 ○ Salim

F6 ○ Aenon

F7 • Abel-meholah

F7 • Zaphon

F8 • Succoth

F8 ▴ Mahanaim

F8 • Penuel

F8 • Adam

F9 • Beth-nimrah

F9 • Beth-arabah

F10 • Shittim

F10 • Beth-hoglah

F10 • Beth-haran

F10 • Beth-peor

F10 • Beth-jeshimoth

F11 • Zereth-shahar

F11 • Ataroth

F11 • Kiriathaim

F13 • Eglaim

G6 • House of Arbel

G6 • Rogelim

G6 • Ham

G7 ○ Gerasa (Jarash)

G8 • Mizpah (Mizpeh)

G8 • Jogbehah

G9 • Betonim

G10 • Elealeh

G10 ▴ Heshbon

G10 ▵ Bezer

G10 • Nebo

G10 • Bamoth-baal

G10 • Medeba

G10 • Baal-meon

G11 • Almon-diblathaim

G11 ▴ Kedemoth

G11 • Dibon

G12 • Aroer

G13 • Dimon

G13 • Kir of Moab (Kir-hareseth)

H4 ▴ Ashtaroth (Beeshterah)

H4 ▵ Golan

H5 • Edrei

H6 ▵ Ramoth-gilead

H9 ▪ Rabbah (Philadelphia)

H9 • Abel-keramim

H9 ▴ Mephaath

Mountain Peaks

C5 Mt. Carmel

D7 Mt. Ebal

D7 Mt. Gerizim

D10 Mt. Seir

E5 Mt. Tabor

E5 Moreh

E6 Mt. Gilboa

G1 Mt. Hermon

G10 Mt. Nebo (Pisgah)

T.V. Torrent Valley

A12 T.V. of Gerar

A13 T.V. of Besor

B10 T.V. of Sorek

D4 T.V. of Kishon

E7 T.V. of Farʽah

G5 T.V. of Yarmuk

G8 T.V. of Jabbok

G12 T.V. of Arnon

[Bodies of water]

B8 Mediterranean Sea (Great Sea)

E11 Salt Sea (Dead Sea)

F3 Lake Hula

F4 Sea of Galilee

[Rivers]

B8 Yarkon River

F8 Jordan River

[Springs and wells]

D10 En-rogel

E3 Waters of Merom

E6 Well of Harod

Jerusalem and the Temple of Solomon

IT WAS called “the perfection of prettiness” and “the town of the grand King.” (Ps 48:2; 50:2; La 2:15) Jerusalem was the capital of God’s nation. (Ps 76:2) After David seized the city from the Jebusites and made it his capital, it was called “the City of David,” or just “Zion.”​—2Sa 5:7.

While not enjoying a very strategic location, Jerusalem gained fame because God placed his name there. (De 26:2) It was the religious and administrative center of the nation.

Jerusalem is at an altitude of 2,500 feet (750 m) in the central mountains of Judea. The Bible refers to its “loftiness” and to worshipers as ‘going up’ to reach it. (Ps 48:2; 122:3, 4) The ancient city was surrounded by valleys: the Valley of Hinnom on the west and south and the torrent valley of Kidron on the east. (2Ki 23:10; Jer 31:40) The spring of Gihona in the Kidron Valley and En-rogel to the south supplied fresh water, especially vital during enemy attacks.​—2Sa 17:17.

On the diagram on page 21, the City of David is in red. During the reigns of David and Solomon, the city extended northward to include Ophel (green) and Mount Moriah (blue). (2Sa 5:7-9; 24:16-25) Solomon built a magnificent temple to Jehovah on that higher spur. Imagine throngs of worshipers streaming up to “the mountain of Jehovah” for the annual festivals! (Zec 8:3) The road network represented on page 17 facilitated such travel.

Solomon’s temple, decorated with gold and precious stones, was one of the costliest buildings ever constructed. Significantly, Jehovah provided its architectural plan. As you see from the painting, the temple was flanked by large courtyards and administrative buildings. Its details are worthy of your study.​—1Ki 6:1–7:51; 1Ch 28:11-19; Heb 9:23, 24.

[Footnote]

[Diagram/Picture on page 21]

(For fully formatted text, see publication)

Jerusalem/Solomon’s Temple

TEMPLE AREA IN SOLOMON’S TIME

Temple Features

1. Most Holy

2. Holy

3. Porch

4. Boaz

5. Jachin

6. Copper Altar

7. Molten Sea

8. Carriages

9. Side Chambers

10. Dining Rooms

11. Inner Courtyard

TEMPLE AREA

Mt. Moriah

Dining Rooms

Carriages

Side Chambers

Most Holy

Boaz

Holy

Porch

Copper Altar

Jachin

Inner Courtyard

Carriages

Molten Sea

Ophel

Public Square?

Water Gate?

CITY OF DAVID

Mt. Zion

David’s Palace

Fountain Gate

Manasseh’s Wall?

Tower of Hananel

Tower of Meah

Sheep Gate

Gate of the Guard

Inspection Gate

Horse Gate

KIDRON VALLEY

Lower Wall?

Gihon

Later water tunnel

TYROPOEON VALLEY

Gate of the Ash-heaps (Potsherds) (Dung)

En-rogel

Valley Gate

VALLEY OF HINNOM

Corner Gate

Tower of the Bake Ovens

Broad Wall

Gate of Ephraim

Public Square

Gate of the Old City

Early North Wall

SECOND QUARTER

Fish Gate

[Picture]

Ophel

House of Pharaoh’s Daughter

Solomon’s Palace

House of the Forest of Lebanon

Porch of Pillars

Porch of the Throne

Mt. Moriah

Great Courtyard

Temple

[Picture on page 20]

Foreground area is where “the City of David” was located. The temple was in the flat area (background)

[Picture on page 20]

Computer rendering of the ancient “City of David” and the temple of Solomon

Empires Attack the Promised Land

SAMARIA, capital of the northern kingdom of Israel, was taken by the Assyrians in 740 B.C.E. The Israelites thus fell into the hands of a cruel empire. Assyria was located at the northern end of the Mesopotamian plains, near the Tigris, one of the mighty rivers of the Fertile Crescent. Nimrod had founded Assyria’s main cities, Nineveh and Calah. (Ge 10:8-12) In the days of Shalmaneser III, Assyria expanded westward, into the well-watered and productive regions of Syria and northern Israel.

Under the King Tiglath-pileser III (Pul), named in the Bible, Assyria began to oppress Israel. His military campaign also affected Judah to the south. (2Ki 15:19; 16:5-18) In time, the flooding “waters” of Assyria spread into Judah, eventually reaching its capital, Jerusalem.​—Isa 8:5-8.

Assyrian King Sennacherib invaded Judah in 732 B.C.E. (2Ki 18:13, 14) He sacked 46 Judean cities, including Lachish, strategically situated in the Shephelah. As the map shows, this put his armies behind Jerusalem, thus encircling Judah’s capital. In his annals, Sennacherib boasted that he kept Hezekiah “like a bird in a cage,” but Assyrian records avoid mentioning the destruction of Sennacherib’s soldiers by God’s angel.​—2Ki 18:17-36; 19:35-37.

The days of the Assyrian Empire were numbered. The Medes, centered on the rugged plateau of what is now Iran, began troubling what was left of the Assyrian army. This diverted Assyria’s attention from her western provinces, which also began to rebel. Meanwhile, the Babylonians were growing stronger, even capturing the city of Asshur. In 632 B.C.E., Nineveh​—a “city of bloodshed”—​fell to an alliance of Babylonians, Medes, and Scythians, a warlike people from north of the Black Sea. This fulfilled the prophecies of Nahum and Zephaniah.​—Na 3:1; Zep 2:13.

Assyria’s last gasp came at Haran. Attacked by a determined force of Babylonians, the Assyrians tried to hold out until help from Egypt could arrive. But on his way north, Pharaoh Necho was blocked at Megiddo by the resistance of Judean King Josiah. (2Ki 23:29) When Necho finally reached Haran, it was too late​—the Assyrian Empire had fallen.

Babylonian Empire

What city is brought to mind by the term “hanging gardens”? Babylon, the capital of the world power of that name and prophetically depicted as a winged lion. (Da 7:4) The city was well-known for its wealth, trade, and development of religion and astrology. The empire was centered in the marshy plains of southern Mesopotamia, between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. The city straddled the Euphrates, and its walls made it seem impregnable.

The Babylonians developed trade routes across the rocky desert of northern Arabia. At one point, King Nabonidus resided at Tema, leaving Belshazzar to rule in Babylon.

Babylon invaded Canaan three times. After Nebuchadnezzar routed the Egyptians at Carchemish in 625 B.C.E., the Babylonians pushed south to Hamath, where they again defeated the retreating Egyptians. The Babylonians then swept down the coast to the torrent valley of Egypt, destroying Ashkelon on the way. (2Ki 24:7; Jer 47:5-7) During this campaign, Judah became a vassal of Babylon.​—2Ki 24:1.

King Jehoiakim of Judah rebelled in 618 B.C.E. Babylon then sent the armies of nearby nations against Judah, and Babylon’s own troops besieged and subjugated Jerusalem. Before long, by allying his kingdom with Egypt, King Zedekiah aroused the Babylonians to climactic fury against Judah. They invaded again and began to destroy the cities of Judah. (Jer 34:7) Finally, Nebuchadnezzar turned his army’s attention to Jerusalem, conquering it in 607 B.C.E.​—2Ch 36:17-21; Jer 39:10.

[Map on page 23]

(For fully formatted text, see publication)

Babylonian/Assyrian Empires

Assyrian Empire

B4 Memphis (Noph)

B4 Zoan

B5 EGYPT

C2 CYPRUS (KITTIM)

C3 Sidon

C3 Tyre

C3 Megiddo

C3 Samaria

C4 Jerusalem

C4 Ashkelon

C4 Lachish

D2 Haran

D2 Carchemish

D2 Arpad

D2 Hamath

D3 Riblah

D3 SYRIA

D3 Damascus

E2 Gozan

E2 MESOPOTAMIA

F2 MINNI

F2 ASSYRIA

F2 Khorsabad

F2 Nineveh

F2 Calah

F2 Asshur

F3 BABYLONIA

F3 Babylon

F4 CHALDEA

F4 Erech

F4 Ur

G3 Shushan

G4 ELAM

Babylonian Empire

C3 Sidon

C3 Tyre

C3 Megiddo

C3 Samaria

C4 Jerusalem

C4 Ashkelon

C4 Lachish

D2 Haran

D2 Carchemish

D2 Arpad

D2 Hamath

D3 Riblah

D3 SYRIA

D3 Damascus

D5 Tema

E2 Gozan

E2 MESOPOTAMIA

E4 ARABIA

F2 MINNI

F2 ASSYRIA

F2 Khorsabad

F2 Nineveh

F2 Calah

F2 Asshur

F3 BABYLONIA

F3 Babylon

F4 CHALDEA

F4 Erech

F4 Ur

G3 Shushan

G4 ELAM

[Other locations]

G2 MEDIA

Main Roads (See publication)

[Bodies of water]

B3 Mediterranean Sea (Great Sea)

C5 Red Sea

H1 Caspian Sea

H5 Persian Gulf

[Rivers]

B5 Nile

E2 Euphrates

F3 Tigris

[Picture on page 22]

Tell Lachish

[Picture on page 22]

Model of ancient Megiddo

[Picture on page 23]

Concept of Babylon’s hanging gardens

God’s People Return to Their Land

TWO notable mountain ranges rim the plateau of modern Iran​—the Elburz (south of the Caspian Sea) and the Zagros (southeast toward the Persian Gulf). They are broken by long, fertile valleys with tree-covered slopes. The valleys enjoy a temperate climate, but the higher, arid, windswept plains are frigid in winter. Nearby is the sparsely populated desert of the plateau. In this general region, east of Mesopotamia, the Medo-Persian Empire arose.

The Medes were centered on the northern part of the plateau, although they later spread into Armenia and Cilicia. The Persians, though, were centered on the southwestern part of the plateau, east of the Tigris Valley. Under Cyrus’ rule in the middle of the sixth century B.C.E., these two kingdoms united, forming the Medo-Persian World Power.

Cyrus captured Babylon in 539 B.C.E. His empire extended eastward to India. Westward, it came to include Egypt and what is now Turkey. Daniel fittingly described the Medo-Persian Empire as a rapacious “bear” that ‘ate much flesh.’ (Da 7:5) Cyrus established a humane, tolerant rule. He divided the empire into provinces. Each was ruled by a satrap, usually a Persian, but under him, a local ruler exercised some authority. The peoples of the empire were encouraged to retain their customs and religions.

In keeping with this policy, Cyrus allowed the Jews to return to restore true worship and to rebuild Jerusalem, as described by Ezra and Nehemiah. Do you think that this large body returned by the route Abraham had taken up the Euphrates toward Carchemish, or did they perhaps take the shorter route through Tadmor and Damascus? The Bible does not say. (See pages 6-7.) In time, Jews also settled in other parts of the empire, such as the Nile Delta and places farther south. A sizable Jewish population persisted in Babylon, likely explaining the apostle Peter’s visit there centuries later. (1Pe 5:13) Yes, the Medo-Persian Empire had a role in Jews’ being found in many locations during the succeeding Grecian and Roman empires.

After conquering Babylon, the Medo-Persians used the city, with its torrid summers, as an administrative center. Shushan, the former Elamite capital, was one of the royal cities. Later, that is where Persian King Ahasuerus (evidently Xerxes I) made Esther his queen and thwarted a plot to exterminate God’s people across the vast empire. Two other Medo-Persian capitals were Ecbatana (situated at an elevation of over 6,200 feet (1,900 m), with delightful summers) and Pasargadae (at the same altitude, about 400 miles (650 km) to the southeast).

How did this world power end? At the height of its power, Medo-Persia responded to uprisings fomented by Greeks at the northwestern border. Greece was then divided into warring city-states, but these cooperated to defeat Persian forces in decisive battles at Marathon and Salamis. This set the stage for the supremacy of a unified Greece over Medo-Persia.

[Map on page 24]

(For fully formatted text, see publication)

Medo-Persian Empire

A2 MACEDONIA

A2 THRACE

A4 Cyrene

A4 LIBYA

B2 Byzantium

B2 LYDIA

B3 Sardis

B4 Memphis (Noph)

B4 EGYPT

B5 No-amon (Thebes)

B5 Syene

C3 CILICIA

C3 Tarsus

C3 Issus

C3 Carchemish

C3 Tadmor

C3 SYRIA

C3 Sidon

C3 Damascus

C3 Tyre

C4 Jerusalem

D2 Phasis

D2 ARMENIA

D3 ASSYRIA

D3 Nineveh

D4 Babylon

E3 MEDIA

E3 Ecbatana (Achmetha)

E3 HYRCANIA

E4 Shushan (Susa)

E4 ELAM

E4 Pasargadae

E4 Persepolis

E4 PERSIA

F3 PARTHIA

F4 DRANGIANA

G2 Maracanda (Samarkand)

G3 SOGDIANA

G3 BACTRIA

G3 ARIA

G4 ARACHOSIA

G4 GEDROSIA

H5 INDIA

[Other locations]

A2 GREECE

A3 Marathon

A3 Athens

A3 Salamis

C1 SCYTHIA

C4 Elath (Eloth)

C4 Tema

D4 ARABIA

[Mountains]

E3 ELBURZ MTS.

E4 ZAGROS MTS.

[Bodies of water]

B3 Mediterranean Sea (Great Sea)

C2 Black Sea

C5 Red Sea

E2 Caspian Sea

E4 Persian Gulf

[Rivers]

B4 Nile

C3 Euphrates

D3 Tigris

H4 Indus

[Picture on page 24]

Cyrus’ troops had to cross the Zagros Mountains to reach Babylon

[Picture on page 25]

Top: The Gate of All Nations, at Persepolis

[Picture on page 25]

Inset: Cyrus’ tomb, at Pasargadae

Greece and Rome Influence the Jews

THE expansion of what became the Grecian Empire began in the mountains of Macedonia. There, in his early 20’s, Alexander began to look eastward. In 334 B.C.E., he led his army across the Hellespont (Dardanelles), separating Europe and Asia. Like a dashing “leopard,” the Greeks under Alexander embarked on a series of rapid conquests. (Da 7:6) Alexander prevailed over the Persians near Troy, on the plains of the Granicus River, and defeated them decisively at Issus.

The Greeks invaded Syria and Phoenicia, taking Tyre after a seven-month siege. (Eze 26:4, 12) Sparing Jerusalem, Alexander conquered Gaza. (Zec 9:5) Once in Egypt, he founded Alexandria, which became a center of commerce and learning. Recrossing the Promised Land, he again routed the Persians, at Gaugamela, near the ruins of Nineveh.

Alexander turned south to take Babylon, Shushan (Susa), and Persepolis​—Persian administrative centers. He then sped through the Persian domain, reaching the Indus River in what is now Pakistan. In just eight years, Alexander conquered most of the then-known world. But in 323 B.C.E., when 32 years old, he died of malaria at Babylon.​—Da 8:8.

Hellenic influences in the Promised Land were strong. Some veterans of Alexander’s army settled in the area. By the first century, there was a league of Greek-speaking cities (Decapolis). (Mt 4:25; Mr 7:31) The Hebrew Scriptures had become available in Greek. Koine (common Greek) served as an international language for spreading Christian teachings.

Roman Empire

What was happening in the west? Rome​—previously a group of villages on the Tiber River—​grew in importance. Eventually, Rome’s efficient war machine and centralized political power enabled her to devour the areas controlled by Alexander’s four generals. By 30 B.C.E., the Roman Empire was clearly dominant, an early manifestation of the ‘fearsome beast’ Daniel saw in vision.​—Da 7:7.

The Roman Empire stretched from Britain down to North Africa, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Persian Gulf. Because the empire surrounded the Mediterranean, the Romans called it Mare Nostrum (Our Sea).

Rome too influenced the Jews, whose land was part of the Roman Empire. (Mt 8:5-13; Ac 10:1, 2) Jesus was baptized and died during Emperor Tiberius’ reign. Some Roman rulers savagely persecuted Christians but could not defeat true worship. After 13 centuries, the empire succumbed to attacks by Germanic tribes in the north and nomadic invaders in the east.

[Map on page 26]

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Grecian Empire

After Alexander, four of his generals controlled the vast empire

▪ Cassander

▫ Lysimachus

○ Ptolemy I

• Seleucus I

A2 ▪ GREECE

A2 ▪ Athens

A2 ▪ ACHAIA

A3 ○ Cyrene

A3 ○ LIBYA

B2 ▫ Byzantium

B3 ○ CYPRUS

B4 ○ No-amon (Thebes)

C3 Palmyra (Tadmor)

C3 ○ Gerasa

C3 ○ Philadelphia

C3 ○ Jerusalem

C5 ○ Syene

G2 • Alexandria Margiana

Alexander’s Route

A2 ▪ MACEDONIA

A2 ▪ Pella

A2 ▫ THRACE

B2 ▫ Troy

B2 ▫ Sardis

B2 ▫ Ephesus

B2 ▫ Gordium

C2 ▫ Ankara

C3 • Tarsus

C3 • Issus

C3 • Antioch (of Syria)

C3 ○ Tyre

C4 ○ Gaza

B4 ○ EGYPT

B4 ○ Memphis

B4 ○ Alexandria

A4 ○ Oasis of Siwa

B4 ○ Memphis

C4 ○ Gaza

C3 ○ Tyre

C3 ○ Damascus

C3 • Aleppo

D3 • Nisibis

D3 • Gaugamela

D3 • Babylon

E3 • Shushan

E4 • PERSIA

E4 • Persepolis

E4 • Pasargadae

E3 • MEDIA

E3 • Ecbatana

E3 • Rhagae

E3 • Hecatompylos

F3 • PARTHIA

G3 • ARIA

G3 • Alexandria Areion

G3 • Alexandria Prophthasia

F4 • DRANGIANA

G4 • ARACHOSIA

G4 • Alexandria Arachosiorum

H3 • Kabul

G3 • Drapsaca

H3 • Alexandria Oxiana

G3 • Drapsaca

G3 • BACTRIA

G3 • Bactra

G2 • Derbent

G2 • SOGDIANA

G2 • Maracanda

G2 • Bukhara

G2 • Maracanda

H2 • Alexandria Eschate

G2 • Maracanda

G2 • Derbent

G3 • Bactra

G3 • BACTRIA

G3 • Drapsaca

H3 • Kabul

H3 • Taxila

H5 • INDIA

H4 • Alexandria

G4 • GEDROSIA

F4 • Pura

E4 • PERSIA

F4 • Alexandria

F4 • CARMANIA

E4 • Pasargadae

E4 • Persepolis

E3 • Shushan

D3 • Babylon

[Other locations]

A3 CRETE

D4 ARABIA

[Bodies of water]

B3 Mediterranean Sea

C5 Red Sea

E4 Persian Gulf

G5 Arabian Sea

[Rivers]

B4 Nile

D3 Euphrates

D3 Tigris

G4 Indus

[Map on page 27]

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Roman Empire

A1 BRITAIN

A3 SPAIN

B1 GERMANIA

B2 GAUL

B2 ITALY

B2 Rome

B3 Carthage

C2 ILLYRICUM

C3 GREECE

C3 Actium

C3 Cyrene

D2 Byzantium (Constantinople)

D3 ASIA MINOR

D3 Ephesus

D3 Aleppo

D3 Antioch (of Syria)

D3 Damascus

D3 Gerasa (Jarash)

D3 Jerusalem

D3 Alexandria

D4 EGYPT

[Bodies of water]

A2 Atlantic Ocean

C3 Mediterranean Sea

D2 Black Sea

D4 Red Sea

[Picture on page 26]

Upon rebuilding Rabbah, Ptolemy II named it Philadelphia. Ruins of a large Roman theater remain

[Picture on page 27]

Decapolis city of Gerasa (Jarash)

[Picture on page 27]

Roman roads, such as this one near Aleppo, penetrated Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. Christians traveled these roads to spread Bible truth

Jesus “in the Country of the Jews”

IN WITNESSING to Cornelius, the apostle Peter mentioned what Jesus did “in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem.” (Ac 10:39) What areas do you think were included in Jesus’ history-making ministry?

“The country of the Jews” included Judea, where Jesus did some of God’s work. (Lu 4:44) After being baptized, Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness of Judah (or, Judea), a rather arid and desolate region frequented by rebels and bandits. (Lu 10:30) Later, Jesus was traveling northward from Judea when he witnessed to a Samaritan woman near Sychar.​—Joh 4:3-7.

A review of the Gospels shows that Jesus concentrated on Galilee. Though he went south to Jerusalem for annual festivals, he spent most of the first two years of his ministry in the northern part of the Promised Land. (Joh 7:2-10; 10:22, 23) For example, he outlined many notable teachings and performed impressive miracles while near or on the Sea of Galilee. Recall that he calmed its stormy waters and even walked on it. He preached from boats to crowds on the pebbly shores of that sea. His early, close followers were from fishing and farming communities nearby.​—Mr 3:7-12; 4:35-41; Lu 5:1-11; Joh 6:16-21; 21:1-19.

The base for Jesus’ Galilean ministry was shoreside Capernaum, “his own city.” (Mt 9:1) He was on a hillside not far away when he gave his famous Sermon on the Mount. On occasion, he went by boat from the Capernaum area to Magadan, Bethsaida, or nearby spots.

Note that Jesus’ “own city” was not very far from Nazareth, where he grew up; from Cana, where he turned water into wine; from Nain, where he raised the son of a widow; and from Bethsaida, where he miraculously fed 5,000 men and restored sight to a blind man.

After the Passover of 32 C.E., Jesus went north toward Tyre and Sidon, Phoenician ports. Then he extended his ministry to some of the ten Hellenized cities called the Decapolis. Jesus was near Caesarea Philippi (F2) when Peter acknowledged him as the Messiah, and the transfiguration soon followed, perhaps on Mount Hermon. Later, Jesus preached in the region of Perea, across the Jordan.​—Mr 7:24-37; 8:27–9:2; 10:1; Lu 13:22, 33.

Jesus spent his last week on earth with his disciples in and around Jerusalem, “the city of the great King.” (Mt 5:35) You can find nearby places that you have read about in the Gospels, such as Emmaus, Bethany, Bethphage, and Bethlehem.​—Lu 2:4; 19:29; 24:13; see “Jerusalem Area,” inset on page 18.

[Map on page 29]

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Promised Land (Jesus’ time)

The Land in Jesus’ Day

Cities of the Decapolis

E5 Hippo(s)

E6 Pella

E6 Scythopolis

F5 Gadara

F7 Gerasa

G5 Dion

G9 Philadelphia

H1 Damascus

H4 Raphana

I5 Canatha

Main Roads (See publication)

Common Route Between Galilee and Jerusalem (See publication)

Alternate Route Between Galilee and Jerusalem, Through Perea (See publication)

A11 Gaza

B6 Caesarea

B8 Joppa

B9 Lydda

B12 Beer-sheba

C4 Ptolemais

C8 SAMARIA

C8 Antipatris

C8 Arimathea

C9 Emmaus

C10 JUDEA

C11 Hebron

C12 IDUMEA

D1 Sidon

D2 Tyre

D3 PHOENICIA

D4 GALILEE

D4 Cana

D5 Sepphoris

D5 Nazareth

D5 Nain

D7 Samaria

D7 Sychar

D9 Ephraim

D9 Bethphage

D9 Jerusalem

D9 Bethany

D10 Bethlehem

D10 Herodium

D10 WILDERNESS OF JUDAH

D12 Masada

E4 Chorazin

E4 Bethsaida

E4 Capernaum

E4 Magadan

E5 Tiberias

E5 Hippo(s)

E6 Bethany? (across the Jordan)

E6 Scythopolis

E6 Pella

E6 Salim

E6 Aenon

E9 Jericho

F1 ABILENE

F2 Caesarea Philippi

F4 Gamala

F5 Abila?

F5 Gadara

F7 PEREA

F7 Gerasa

G3 ITURAEA

G5 Dion

G6 DECAPOLIS

G9 Philadelphia

H1 Damascus

H3 TRACHONITIS

H4 Raphana

H12 ARABIA

I5 Canatha

[Mountains]

D7 Mt. Ebal

D7 Mt. Gerizim

F2 Mt. Hermon

[Bodies of water]

B6 Mediterranean Sea (Great Sea)

E4 Sea of Galilee

E10 Salt Sea (Dead Sea)

[Rivers]

E7 Jordan River

[Springs and wells]

D7 Jacob’s Fountain

[Picture on page 28]

Sea of Galilee. Capernaum is in the left foreground. View is southwest across the Plain of Gennesaret

[Picture on page 28]

Samaritans worshiped on Mount Gerizim. Mount Ebal is in the background

Jerusalem and the Temple Jesus Knew

SOON after Jesus’ birth, Joseph and Mary took him to the city where his heavenly Father had placed His name​—Jerusalem. (Lu 2:22-39) At age 12, Jesus was again there, for the Passover. He amazed the teachers at the temple with his understanding. (Lu 2:41-51) Work on that temple complex, part of Herod the Great’s building program, went on for over “forty-six years.”​—Joh 2:20.

During his ministry, Jesus was present at festivals in Jerusalem, where he often taught crowds. He twice drove out money changers and merchants from the temple courtyard.​—Mt 21:12; Joh 2:13-16.

North of the temple, at the pool of Bethzatha, Jesus healed a man who had suffered for 38 years. God’s Son also gave sight to a blind man, telling him to wash in the pool of Siloam in the southern part of the city.​—Joh 5:1-15; 9:1, 7, 11.

Jesus often visited his friends Lazarus, Mary, and Martha at Bethany, “about two miles” east of Jerusalem. (Joh 11:1, 18, ftn.; 12:1-11; Lu 10:38-42; 19:29; see “Jerusalem Area,” page 18.) A few days before his death, Jesus approached Jerusalem by way of the Mount of Olives. Picture him stopping to look west at the city and weeping over it. (Lu 19:37-44) His view would have been similar to what you see at the top of the next page. He then entered Jerusalem on the colt of an ass, likely using one of the city’s eastern gates. Throngs hailed him as Israel’s future King.​—Mt 21:9-12.

Important events preceding Jesus’ death occurred at places in or near Jerusalem: the garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed; the Sanhedrin hall; the house of Caiaphas; the palace of Governor Pilate and, eventually, Golgotha.​—Mr 14:32, 53–15:1, 16, 22; Joh 18:1, 13, 24, 28.

After his resurrection, Jesus appeared in and around Jerusalem. (Lu 24:1-49) Then he ascended to heaven from the Mount of Olives.​—Ac 1:6-12.

[Diagram on page 31]

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Jerusalem/Herod’s Temple

Temple Features

1. Most Holy

2. Holy

3. Altar of Burnt Offering

4. Molten Sea

5. Court of Priests

6. Court of Israel

7. Court of Women

8. Court of Gentiles

9. Barrier (Soreg)

10. Royal Colonnade

11. Solomon’s Colonnade

TEMPLE

Gate

Court of Priests

Gate

Most Holy

Altar of Burnt Offering

Holy

Court of Israel

Court of Women

Molten Sea

Gate

Solomon’s Colonnade

Barrier (Soreg)

Court of Gentiles

Gate

Royal Colonnade

Gates

Tower of Antonia

Bridge

Sanhedrin Hall?

TYROPOEON VALLEY

Pool of Siloam

Aqueduct

House of Caiaphas?

Governor’s Palace

Golgotha?

Golgotha?

Pool of Bethzatha

Garden of Gethsemane?

MOUNT OF OLIVES

KIDRON VALLEY

Spring of Gihon

En-rogel

VALLEY OF HINNOM (GEHENNA)

[Pictures on page 30]

View to the east across modern Jerusalem: (A) temple area, (B) garden of Gethsemane, (C) Mount of Olives, (D) wilderness of Judah, (E) Dead Sea

[Picture on page 31]

View to the west from the Mount of Olives in Jesus’ day

ON THE Mount of Olives near Bethany, Jesus commissioned a preaching work that would shape world history. It was to start about two miles to the west​—at Jerusalem. The message would be spread to nearby Judea and Samaria, eventually reaching “the most distant part of the earth.”​—Ac 1:4, 8, 12.

Not long after Jesus said those words, the Festival of Pentecost drew Jews and proselytes from all over the Roman Empire, from regions indicated on the map below. The apostle Peter’s preaching to them that day opened the way for a rapid spread of Christianity.​—Ac 2:9-11.

Persecution in Jerusalem soon scattered Christ’s followers. Peter and John helped Samaritans to hear and embrace the good news. (Ac 8:1, 4, 14-16) After Philip witnessed to an Ethiopian on the desert road leading “from Jerusalem to Gaza,” Christianity spread into Africa. (Ac 8:26-39) About the same time, the message bore fruit in Lydda, which is on the Plain of Sharon, and at the port of Joppa. (Ac 9:35, 42) From there Peter went to Caesarea and assisted the Roman officer Cornelius, his relatives, and his friends to become spirit-anointed Christians.​—Ac 10:1-48.

Paul, a former persecutor, became the apostle to the nations. He traveled overland and by ship during three missionary trips and a voyage to Rome. The apostle and others spread the good news to numerous centers of the Roman Empire. Paul desired to reach Spain (See page 2.), and Peter served as far east as Babylon. (1Pe 5:13) Truly, under Christ’s active leadership, his followers spread Christianity abroad. By 60/61 C.E., ‘the good news was preached in all creation under heaven.’ (Col 1:6, 23) Since then, this good news has literally reached “the most distant part of the earth.”