Archaeological Sites In Israel

Archives For archaeological sites in israel

Caesarea—Explore Israel’s Harbor & Herod’s Palace

The straight line of Israel’s seacoast has never lent itself to significant harbors.

For centuries, only Joppa in the south and Acco in the north provided modest havens for ships. But in 22 BC, work began on a new port—a vast harbor befitting the grand ideals of its visionary, King Herod the Great.

Caesarea harbor aerial from west tb121704935 Caesarea—Explore Israel’s Harbor & Herod’s Palace

(Photo: Caesarea’s Ancient Harbor, courtesy of Pictorial Library of Bible Lands)

At Caesarea today, a modern harbor rests in the same location as the ancient one. The few fishing vessels and pleasure boats moored to the modern pier do little justice to the port of the first century.

I shot the following video while flying in a helicopter over Caesarea.

Chorazin—Sitting in the Seat but Missing the Message

From a distance, the place seems as if it’s hiding. I don’t blame it for trying.

After all, it remains one of the three cities in Galilee that Jesus rebuked for failing to respond to His message and miracles.

Chorazin panorama from west tb041103211 Chorazin—Sitting in the Seat but Missing the Message

(Photo: Chorazin’s ruins hide at center left. Courtesy of Pictorial Library of Bible Lands)

The basalt ruins of Chorazin appear little more than a pile of rocks among so many thousands of others. Clumps of grass and volcanic rock offer a variegated green and gray to the hillside above the Sea of Galilee.

Unless you look carefully, you may not even see the city.

But Jesus saw it. So should we.

Masada— A Place of Sanctuary, Suicide, and Inspiration

One visit to Masada is not enough.

Neither are a dozen. As many times as people go there, they always want to go back.

Masada aerial from northwest tb010703306 Masada— A Place of Sanctuary, Suicide, and Inspiration

Photo: The magnificent fortress of Masada. Courtesy of BiblePlaces.com

Towering 1300 feet above the Dead Sea, Masada looks as intimidating today as it did to those who stood at its base thousands of years ago. This natural mesa looms tall across from the Lisan at the southern half of the Dead Sea.

Steep cliffs on all sides make the mountain look virtually impregnable. And it was.

The Kidron Valley— Your Burial Can Point to Your Faith

Do you know where you’ll be buried?

The place where someone chooses to get buried is always significant.

A hometown family plot is common.
The place where one’s ashes are scattered or stored often holds a special association.
Even unknown soldiers who die in battle occasionally receive a prominent interment.

Kidron Valley from north with olive trees tb051906428 The Kidron Valley— Your Burial Can Point to Your Faith

(Photo: The Kidron Valley with olives trees and graves. Courtesy of the Pictorial Library of Bible Lands)

But in Israel, a burial place often exposed one’s faith. The tombs beside the Kidron Valley bear witness to this truth.

Each one offers a connection to resurrection.

Tel Dan Stele—Providential Ironies in Favor of King David

Sometimes Israel’s archaeology offers marvelous vindications to its history and the Bible.

Gravel pathways of the ancient site of Tel Dan lead to a large, rock wall—a city gate that dates from the time of Solomon’s temple. Likely built by King Ahab in the ninth century BC, this Iron Age entrance helped to fortify the city of Dan.

Dan Iron Age gate with plaza and rulers podium tb052907103 Tel Dan Stele—Providential Ironies in Favor of King David

Photo: Tel Dan Iron Age gate near where the stele was discovered. Courtesy of BiblePlaces.com

And for good reason. The ninth and early-eighth centuries BC saw many battles between the northern kingdom of Israel and the expanding kingdom of Aram.

In the courtyard of Tel Dan’s gate complex, archaeologists unearthed sections of a large engraved stone—an ancient basalt stele.

Its discovery gave hard evidence that King David was no Robin Hood legend of Hebrew history.

Nebi Samwil—A Site with Wisdom Ignored

Most travelers to Jerusalem never think to come to Nebi Samwil.

The minaret towering above the hill looks like a misplaced lighthouse searching for the sea. On a clear day, a visitor can spy the Mediterranean to the west.

Nebi Samwil tb091405114 Nebi Samwil—A Site with Wisdom Ignored

(Photo: Nebi Samwil. Courtesy of the Pictorial Library of Bible Lands)

Very few come here today. And yet, there were few more important places in David’s and Solomon’s time—if any.

In fact, it signified Solomon’s most defining moment.

What’s more, it represents the potential for ours as well.

The Jesus Boat—A Nof Ginosar Abandoned Ship Resurfaces

The Sea of Galilee will give us a treasure one day,” one man told his brother.

Turns out, he was right.

In 1986, Yuval and Moshe Lufan, two sons of a fisherman in Kibbutz Ginosar, were walking the shores of the Sea of Galilee.

Discovery1 The Jesus Boat—A Nof Ginosar Abandoned Ship Resurfaces

Photo: Yuval and Moshe Lufan beside the Sea of Galilee. Courtesy of the Jesus Boat

The drought that year dropped the level of the lake lower than the men had seen in years. One brother noticed something odd protruding from the mud.

It was an ancient nail. As he poked around with his finger, he found another one. Then another. More digging unearthed pieces of ancient wood.

While they didn’t realize it at the moment, they had discovered a fishing boat that dated to the time of Jesus.

Starting Over with God

Sometimes we feel like we’ve blown it so bad that God should toss us aside and start over with somebody else.

Whenever I feel that way, I travel in my mind to the shoreline of the Sea of Galilee. To a place I’ve been many times.

Starting Over Starting Over with God

Photo: Design Pics, via Vivozoom

A place called Tabgha teaches us a wonderful truth.

Instead of starting over with someone else when we blow it, God wants to start over with us. (Tweet that.)

It’s true.

Making it Through an Ordinary Day

The ordinary days of life far outnumber the extraordinary ones.

That can get discouraging.

vivozoom 24963378 w Making it Through an Ordinary Day

Photo: Monkey Business Images, via Vivozoom

But as we look at the lives in the Bible, we see the same pattern. Years of routine get interrupted by occasion moments of excitement.

Thankfully, we see God at work in the ordinary day just as much as in the extraordinary.

David’s fight with Goliath is the perfect example.

WAYNE STILES
Hi, my name is Wayne Stiles, and I love connecting the Bible and its lands to life. This is my personal blog where that happens. My goal is to deliver practical content to encourage you in your relationship with God. I believe that a life lived well needs a growing and intentional connection with God through Jesus Christ. I write on the devotional life, Bible lands, understanding the Bible, and resources I have found helpful on these topics.

Here's some more about me ->

Email Address :

RESOURCES I RECOMMEND

Home

About

My Books

Products

Podcast

Archives

Contact

© 2013 Wayne Stiles — Standard by 8BIT

Get my new E-book FREE! Click here.