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| T | he Land of Israel in the Time of Jesus |
During the time of Jesus the land of Israel was around 160 miles from north to south and around 85 miles from east to west at the widest portion and averaging around 50 miles wide. The main regions geographically were:
The Jordan Valley, with the Sea of Galilee in the North and the Dead Sea in the South. The valley is a very low point in the land because it is in a massive geographical rift. The sea of Galilee is around 680 feet below sea level in the Dead Sea is around 1275 feet below sea level. This great Rift Valley begins way in the North at the Taurus Mountains and ascends all the way southward far into Africa. The whole region in Israel is subject to earthquakes and seismic activity.
The Mediterranean Coastal Plains on the Western side of Israel is a beautiful lush area great for cultivation.
The Shephelah was the area of land higher up than the coast but not as high as the Hill country. It was also a lush place and great for farming.
The Hill country was beautiful with many cliffs, the city of Jerusalem was high in the Hill country on a large plateau. There were many valleys separating the hills.
The main territories within the land of Israel at the time of Christ was Judea, Galilee, Perea, and the Decapolis.
Historical Notes
- Israel was the promised land, promised by the LORD to Abraham the first Hebrew. God called Abraham to leave his country and journey to a land he had never seen and God would give it to Abraham's descendants.
- Israel was located at the western end of the fertile crescent.
- The Mediterranean Sea was the western boundary, the Jordan River was the eastern boundary, the mountains of Lebanon and Mount Hermon were the northern boundary, and the great Negev desert was the southern boundary.
- Israel was about 160 miles long from north to south (from Dan to Beersheba), and averaged about 50 miles wide from east to west.
- Israel had many mountains that all contained much history.
Related Topics: Judea, Galilee, Dan, Beersheba, Mount Hermon, The Jordan Valley, Jerusalem, The Jordan River.
Picture Study Bible - Matthew 2:1
