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Biblical References in Israel

For your convenience, we have broken down the prime biblical sights according to region.

THE COASTAL PLAIN

Caesarea Maritime -- Founded by Herod the Great in 22 B.C., named for Augustus Caesar. The seat of Roman government in Palestine for over 500 years. A center of the early followers of Jesus: Phillip, one of the seven deacons from Jerusalem, was the first to preach here, and later settled in Caesarea with his 4 prophesying daughters. (Acts 8:40; 21:8-9) Here, Cornelius became the first Gentile convert to the new faith (Acts 10), and the Apostle Paul was imprisoned before being taken to Rome to stand trial.

Cana -- The place of the first miracle performed by Jesus, where he turned the water into wine at that most famous wedding. (John 2:1-11)

Nazareth -- A small village never mentioned in the Hebrew Bible (OT), today Nazareth is the largest Arab city in Israel with a population of 60,000 - half Christians and half Muslims. Here, the Lord Jesus spent most of his life until his ministry began at age 30. (e.g., Luke 1:26-28; 2:1-7; 2:21-23; 2:41-52; 4:16-30 Mark 6:1-6)

K'far Kedem -- Restored, life-size model of a Galilee village. Spend a festive evening amidst the ancient atmosphere of the Galilee region; feast on local foods and wines; donkey rides; witness olive pressing, baking, and goat milking.

Mount Carmel -- This mountain, 13 miles long, projects into the Mediterranean Sea at Haifa. The mountain rises from the sea so sharply that the rapidly rising air is forced to deposit its moisture as rain or dew. Thus, the mountain is lush year round. From ancient times, pagan altars were erected on its heights, particularly those associated with the worship of Baal. Here, Elijah the prophet contested with the prophets of Baal. (1 Kings 18-19). Mt. Carmel is often used by the prophets as a symbol of beauty, fruitfulness, majesty, and prosperity. (Isaiah 35:2; 33:9 Amos 1:2 Nahum 1:4 Jeremiah 46:18)

Tel Megiddo/Valley of Armageddon -- Lies on the southern end of the Jezreel Valley, and protects a key pass through Mt. Carmel. The city was quite large, and functioned as the chariot center of King Salomon and King Ahab, as well as the site of numerous battles in Biblical history. (Judges 1:27; 5:19-20 1 Kings 4:12; 9:a15; 10:26; 9:27 2 Kings 23:29-30; 2 Chr. 35:20-24. This valley is thought by many to be the scene of the end-time battle of Armageddon. ("Har Megiddo", which means, "Mt. Megiddo" in Hebrew, was transliterated as "Armageddon." (Revelation 16:16).

SAMARIA

Alon Moreh -- The traditional site from which God first promised the Land of Israel to Abraham. (Gen 12:6 Other references: Deut 11:30, Judges 7:1)

Emmanuel/Contemporary Jewish settlement -- visit a modern Orthodox Jewish settlement in this politically sensitive area.

Mt. Gerizim (Mt. of the Blessings) -- At 9,514 meters above sea level, this mountain stands slightly lower than its counterpart to the north, Mt. Ebal. Both mountains tower over the city of Shechem (modern Arabic: Nablus). After Israel's victory at Ai, Joshua led the people of Israel here (and Mt. Ebal) to recite the blessings and curses of the Torah as God had commanded. (Deut 11:29; 27:12-13 Josh 8:30-35) Here also the Samaritans erected a temple to rival the Jewish one. John Hyrcanus destroyed it in 129 BCE, fueling the animosity between Jews and Samaritans. The "woman at the well" whom Jesus met in Samaria pointed to Mt. Gerizim when she said, "Our fathers worshiped on this mountain." (John 4:19-24)

Mt. Ebal or (Mt. of the Curses) -- 10,170 meters above sea level, at the Northern side of the Biblical city of Shechem (modern Arabic: Nablus). Tradition has it that when Israel recounted God's commandments here, the blessings were read from Mt. Gerizim facing, while the curses were read from Mt. Ebal. (Deut 11:29; 27:1-8, 12-13) The "woman at the well" whom Jesus met in Samaria was from the village of Sychar located on the slopes of Mt. Ebal. (John 4:4-6)

Shechem -- Nestled between Mt. Gerizim and Mt. Ebal, this city saw a parade of Biblical heroes, from Abraham to Jacob to Joshua to Jesus, pass through. After the destruction of the temple in 70 CE, a new city was established, "Neapolis", from which comes the present day Palestinian city of Nablus. This was both Abraham and Jacob's first stop in the Holy Land when they came from the East. For the many Biblical references, see: Gen 12:6; 33:18-19; 34:1-31 Deut 27:4-13 Josh 8:30-35; 17:7; 24:1-28; 24:32 Judges 9:1-57 Psalms 60:6; 108:7 1 Kings 12:1-14; 12:25 1 Chr 7:28; 6:67 2 Chr 10:1-19 Jer 41:5 John 4:1-42

Shiloh -- The first religious center for the tribes of Israel after they entered the Land; thus, the dwelling place of the tabernacle before the temple was built in Jerusalem. This is also where Samuel the prophet started his ministry, as well as the site of many other events in Bible history. (1 Samuel 1-2; Joshua 18:1, 8-10; 22:10-12; Judges 21:15-22)

View over Tirza -- View over the old capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, Samaria

THE SEA OF GALILEE

Chorazin -- A first-century A.D. Jewish town in upper Galilee two miles north of Capernaum. Along with Bethsaida and Capernaum, this center of first-century Jewish life was rebuked by Jesus (Matt. 11:20-24; Luke 10:13-15). Excavations of the now deserted town indicate that it once covered an area of twelve acres and was built on a series of terraces with the basalt stone local to this mountainous region. The synagogue was one of the earliest in the area.

The Galilee Experience -- A Multi-Media presentation of 4000 years of history of the Galilee, with a fine Christian Souvenir Shop and Bookstore.

Jordan River Baptismal Site -- A once in a life time experience to be baptized in the waters of the Jordan River as Jesus himself did.

Kursi in the land of the Gadarians -- This is where Jesus cast out the Legion demons from a man, and commanded them to enter the ill-fated flock of swine. Matt 8:23-34; Luke 8:26-39). The site of the largest Byzantine monastery in Israel.

Mount of the Beatitudes -- Here, the famous Sermon On The Mount took place. (Matt.5)

Mount Arbel Overlook -- This peak on the western shore of the Galilee, just north of Tiberias, provides a spectacular view of the whole Galilee area.

Sea of Galilee Boat Ride -- The wooden, first-century style boat takes us across the area where most of the Gospel stories took place. See the same waters upon which Jesus walked. (Mark 5)

St.Peter Fish-Lunch -- Enjoy the same type of fish that was eaten in the days of Jesus and his disciples. (John 21)

Tabgha -- The site of numerous springs on the NW shore of the Galilee. The springs provide plenty of warm water, even in winter, making it a major site for fishing on the sea. It is the traditional site of the feeding of the multitude, although many scholars believe that this actually took place somewhere on the east coast of the Galilee, (Luke 9:10, John 6:1). This is probably the place where Jesus met with his disciples while they were fishing and where Jesus first called his disciples, charging them to be "fishers of men." (Matt 4:18-24; Mark 1:16-20; Luke 5:1-11...John 21:1-24)

THE NORTHERN BORDER REGION

Banias/Caesarea Philippi -- "Banias" is the original name of this site near Mt. Hermon in the North, famous as the place where Peter first confessed that Jesus is the Messiah. (Matt 16:13-16; Mark 8:27-30; Luke 9:18-21) Here too Antiochus III of Syria defeated the Egyptians in 197 BCE, taking control for the Seleucid Dynasty, which set the stage for the repression of the Jews by Antiochus IV and the revolt of the Maccabees (commemorated by the Jewish festival of Hanukah.)

Gamla -- A town which was the seat of Jewish resistance under the Romans; from here the "Zealots" planned much of their activity. A precursor to events in Masada, in that the Jews of this fortified town chose mass suicide instead submitting to Roman capture. Today, this area is a beautiful nature reserve, with the highest waterfall in Israel (51 meters).

Golan Heights -- Part of the very fertile plateau of Bashan between Mt. Hermon and the Wadi el-Yarmuk east of the Jordan River. The northern security-belt of Israel, won from Syria during the Six Day War in 1967.

Katzrin -- A reconstructed model village from Second Temple/Talmudic times; see how people lived, worked, and ate in ancient Israel.

Nimrod Castle -- Massive 12th century castle overlooking the Hula Valley. Originally built by Muslims atop a precipice, to protect the road from Tyre to Damascus; it changed hands many times in the battles with the Crusaders.

Tel Dan -- Dan was the northernmost city of ancient Israel, thus when Scripture speaks of all of the Land, from North to South, it often says, "from Dan to Beersheva." (Judges 20:1 1 Sam 3:20 2 Sam 3:10; 17:11; 24:2; 15 1 Kings 4:25) Abraham traveled from Hebron to Dan to rescue his nephew Lot from Kedorlaomer. The tribe of Dan was not satisfied with its inheritance near Judah, so it settled here and set up idolatrous worship that plagued Israel throughout its history. This was especially so in the time of Jeroboam, son of Solomon and first king of the divided Northern Kingdom, who set up golden calves in Dan and Bethel to keep people from going to Jerusalem to worship. (Judges 18; 1 Kings 12:26-33)

JORDAN RIFT-VALLEY

Beit-Shean/Scythopolis -- The most magnificent archeological site in Israel, located at the strategic juncture of the Jezreel and Jordan valleys. Like Jericho, it has been almost continuously occupied throughout history. After defeating Saul and his sons on Mt. Gilboa, the Philistines hanged their bodies on the walls of Beit-Shean. (1 Sam 31:10-12) During the intertestamental period, the city was renamed the "Scythopolis". Archaeologists have uncovered a huge number of ruins of the Roman/Byzantine Scythopolis. During the time of Jesus, Scythopolis was one of the chief cities of the Decapolis--a league of ten cities sharing Greek culture and government. (Other Biblical references include: Josh 17:11,16 Judges 1:27 1 Kings 4:12)

Gideon Springs -- Here, Gideon, one of many "deliverers" in the Book of Judges, prepared for the battle against the Midianites by paring down his army from thirty-three thousand (Judges 7:3) to ultimately only three hundred--so that God could demonstrate his greatness in granting them ultimate victory. (7:2-8)

Jericho -- "City of Palms" Excavations have demonstrated Jericho to be on of the world's oldest cities, if not the oldest! It was, and still is, an important site because of its warm climate, abundant springs of water, and strategic location astride a point where caravans could travel east to west along the Jordan Valley. Site of the famous, miraculous conquest under Joshua. (Joshua 2,6) Other Biblical references include: Judges 3:12-30, 2 Sam 10:4-5, 1 Kings 16:34, and 2 Kings 2:4-22.

Jordan River/Valley -- Meaning "go down", this river flows from the Sea of Galilee to the Dead Sea. Although there are only 70 miles between the two bodies of water, with all of its twists and turns the Jordan is about 110 miles long. The most notable settlements along its ancient shores were Beit Shean and Jericho, toward the South. Most of its banks were too densely covered with vegetation to be habitable, and instead served as a haven for wild animals. (See Jer 12:5; 49:19; 50:44) Today, the Jordan is actually a small stream, as most of its waters are used for irrigation. God identified the Jordan as the eastern border of the Promised Land; here John the Baptist baptized many, including Jesus himself. (Num 34:10-12 Other Biblical references, among many: Gen 13:10-11 Num 22:1 Joshua 3:1-4:18 Judges 3:28-30; 7:24-25; 12:1-7; 1 Sam 31:7-10 2 Sam 17:15-22 Jer 12:5 Ezek 47:18 Zech 11:3 Matt 3:56; 3:13-17 Mark 1:5; 1:9 John 1:28; 10:40-42)

Sachne Hot Spring -- A fine place for swimming and winter Baptisms!

DEAD SEA AREA

Ein-Gedi -- "Spring of the Goat." An oasis on the western shore of the Dead Sea. Because of its warm climate and abundant supply of water, the site developed a reputation for its fragrant plants and date palm groves. Where King David hid from Saul, and where God defeated the enemies of the Israelites by praise and worship led by King Jehoshaphat. (1 Sam 23:29; 24 Song of Songs 1:14)

Genesis Land/Dinner in Abraham's Tent -- Enjoy a trip back in time at this site on the way from Jericho to Jerusalem; a reliving of life in the time of the Patriarchs, complete with costume, dramatic presentation, and authentic food.

Masada -- "The stronghold" The spectacular mountaintop fortress on the western shore of the Dead Sea built by Herod and famous as the last stronghold of the Jewish rebellion against the Romans. In modern Israel, when cadets graduate from the Military Academy, they swear a proud oath, "Masada shall not fall again." Some OT scholars identify Masada with the stronghold of David, where he fled from Saul. (1 Sam 22:3-5; 24:22 1 Chr 12:1-16)

Dead Sea -- The lowest place on the surface of earth (4429 meters below sea level, 45 miles long, 11 wide) and one of the world's richest sources of minerals; a very "salty" sea in which one can not swim but only float; called the "Salt Sea" (Num 34:3, 12), "The Sea" Ezek. 47:8), and "The Eastern Sea" (Joel 2:20) in the Bible. During Jesus' time, it was also called "Lake Asphaltitus." Sodom, Gomorra, and "the cities of the plain" were located in and around the southern portion of the Dead Sea. Other Biblical references include: Gen 14:3; Gen 18-19 Jer 17:6 Today, the Dead Sea is famous for its rich mineral content, and its waters are renown for their healing properties, especially for skin problems.

Qumran -- Located near the NW shore of the Dead Sea, the site of a small settlement that existed during NT times; famous for the discovery of the so-called "Dead Sea Scrolls" in 1947. Most scholars believe that Qumran was inhabited by the Jewish sect of the Essenes, a radical monastic sect who lived in austerity. They left behind the oldest existing copies of many parts of Scripture. The Essenes most likely perished along with the anti-Roman zealots at Masada in 73 CE.

Wadi Qelt -- The magnificent ravine, with a Roman period water-aqueduct, where Elijah the prophet was fed by the raven. A favorite site among locals for hiking.

JERUSALEM: MT. OF OLIVES AND THE OLD CITY

Ecce Homo -- (Latin: "Behold, the man!") A station of the cross on the Via Dolorosa commemorated by an arch. The phrase "Ecce Homo" refers to Pilate's words when he brought Jesus out to the crowd for judgment. (John 19:5)

Garden Tomb -- The Garden Tomb was first pointed out in 1849; a rock formation there resembles a skull (Golgotha), and the site accords with the biblical data of the area where Jesus was buried. It is presently a beautiful garden park, where many Christian groups take communion.

Garden of Gethsemane -- Jesus and his disciples left the Upper Room (Last Supper) and came here to this tranquil spot on the Mt. of Olives to pray. Here Jesus prayed for God's will to be done before he was arrested and taken away. (Matt.26:36-56 Mark 14:32-52 Luke 22:39-53 John 18:1-11)

Jewish Quarter -- Where you may find the "broad wall" that is mentioned in Isaiah 22 and Nehemiah 3; a "window" into the period of the First Temple.

Mount of Olives -- Rising almost 8202 meters east of Jerusalem, this hill has been central to the Biblical and modern history of Israel. While it was once covered with many olive trees, this space is mostly occupied by Christian shrines, Jewish graves, and Arab villages. The Biblical references are many, in both Testaments: from here Jesus made his triumphal entry into Jerusalem riding the back of a donkey; here he spent his last days before betrayal, arrest, and crucifixion; from here he ascended after his resurrection, and to here many believe the Messiah will first return. (Biblical references include: 2 Sam 15:30-37 1 Kings 11:7-8 Ezek 11:22-23; 43:1-5 Zechariah 14: 3-5 Matt 21:1-11; 24-25; 26:36-56 Mark 11:1-10; 13:1-37; 14:32-52 Luke 19:28-40; 19:41-44; 21:5-36; 22:39-53; 24:50-53 John 18:1-11 Acts 1:9-12)

Mount Zion -- Often identified with the "City of David", it was after Solomon that the city grew farther to the north and to the west on the hill today identified as Mount Zion, a hill that is protected on the south and west by the Valley of Hinnom. This identification of Mount Zion, which in 2 Sam. 5:7 is applied to David's city, derives from the Jewish historian Josephus, who identified all of the Jerusalem of his day (the first century A.D.) with the city of David. You can visit the "Upper Room" (Mark 14:12-26) and the House of the High Priest Caiaphas (Mt.26:57).

Palm Sunday Road -- Follow the trail of Jesus and his disciples from the Mt. of Olives to Jerusalem, when he was hailed as king in the so-called, "Triumphal Entry." (Matt 21:1-11 Mark 11:1-10 Luke 19:28-40 John 12:12-16)

Pool of Bethesda -- A name found in later NT manuscripts for the original "Bethzatha" in John 5:2. It is the Hebrew name of the pool near the 'Sheep Gate' in Jerusalem. Here, according to tradition, many of the sick in Jerusalem waited for healing by means of a periodic angelic visitation. Jesus performed a great miracle here on a man who had been lame for 38 years. As it was done on the Sabbath, this led to controversy with certain Jewish leaders of the time. (John 5:1-16)

Rabbi's Tunnel/Western Wall Tunnel -- Underneath the present surface of the Western Wall compound lies the magnificent Western retaining wall of the Herodian Temple.

Jerusalem Archeological Park -- This southern side of The Temple was the main entrance for the common folk, whereas the Priests and Levites had their own entrance from the higher, eastern side. Parts of the giant stairs, which led to the Temple Mount from the courtyard, have been unearthed. It is in this courtyard that Jesus likely drove out the vendors and money exchangers who were exploiting the people. (Matt 21:12-17; Mk 11:15-17; Luke19:45-46) In the Mishna, we are told that Rabbi Gamliel taught at the Temple steps; thus this is likely the place where the Apostle Paul (Saul) learned at Gamliel's feet. (Acts 22:3)

Temple Mount -- The place where God chose to "put His name;" where Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice (Mt. Moriah, Gen 22); the site of both the First and Second Temples found in the Bible. Today it is occupied by the Dome of The Rock Mosque.

Via Dolorosa -- (Latin: 'way of pain'), the traditional pilgrimage route in Jerusalem commemorating Jesus' journey to the cross (Mark 15:20-23). The traditional route is not likely to have been historical, since Pilate probably condemned Jesus at the Herodian palace on the opposite side of the city (Matt. 27:19; Luke 23:4; John 18:28). A route from there through the city to Golgotha would have led east on David street and then west on Triple Suk to Golgotha. The present route consists of two devotional stops near the Ecce Homo arch, seven outside leading to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, and five inside the church itself. Though Byzantine pilgrims followed approximately the present route from Gethsemane to Calvary on Holy Thursday, they made no devotional stops. Numerous routes developed during the Middle Ages. The devotional practice of representing the gospel story in churches around fourteen stations led to the development of the present route. The route itself was fixed in the eighteenth century and all of the stations established in the nineteenth. (Matt.26)

Wailing/Western Wall and Excavations -- The holiest site in Judaism, that is the closest visible and accessible part of the Second Temple complex from Jesus' time.

THE NEW CITY OF JERUSALEM AND BETHLEHEM

Bethlehem/Shepherd's Field -- Originally a small village on the road from Jerusalem to Hevron. Here took place the story of Ruth and Boaz, and is the birthplace of both David, and David's greatest son, Jesus. Here also can be found the tomb of Rachel. Many believe the site of The Shepherd's Field to be the place where angels of the Lord visited the shepherds to announce the birth of Israel's King and Savior. (Gen 35:16-20 48:7 Ruth 1 Sam 16:1-12; 17:12 Micah 5:2 Luke 2:1-7, 8-20 Matt 2:1-18)

Israel Museum/Model of 2nd Temple Jerusalem -- Here the visitor can find a full scale model of the Jerusalem of Jesus' time. A great aid in visualizing the geography of NT Jerusalem.

Israel Museum/Shrine of the Book -- Israel's finest and most comprehensive museum, containing artifacts and documents from pre-historical to Biblical to Byzantine, Turkish and Modern times. Also, the some of the Dead Sea Scrolls (including the famous Isaiah text) and many artifacts relating to the Qumran community can be found in the separate Shrine of the Book building, whose famous roof is shaped like the ceramic jar covers in which the scrolls were first found.

The Knesset -- home of the Israeli Parliament.

Solomon's Quarry -- A quarry located north of the Temple Mount near the present-day Damascus Gate, now called Solomon's Quarry or Zedekiah's Cave. This quarry was used through the Roman period (63 B.C.-A.D. 324), and possibly also by Hezekiah for his building projects.

Yad V'Shem -- ("Hand and Name" from Isaiah 56:5) This museum commemorates the Holocaust of European Jewry perpetrated by the Nazis before and during WW II.

JERUSALEM: FAMOUS SITES SURROUNDING THE HOLY CITY

Ayalon Valley -- The main valley leading from the coast to Jerusalem. The site of many famous battles during Joshua's campaigns against the Canaanites; during the Maccabean Revolt, the Roman period; and in modern times, The War of Independence in 1948.

Bet Shemesh -- A town west of Jerusalem on the way to the coastal plain. It was in this vicinity that most of the Samson stories took place. (Judges 13-16) Now a thriving suburb of modern Jerusalem and a center for industry, with a population of over 25,000.

Caves of Bet Guvrin -- A prominent city in the period of the Second Temple, located in the southern Shephelah. (Hilly region to the west of Jerusalem). Today it is a small kibbutz of a few hundred people. Famous for its numerous and cavernous caves.

Emmaus -- ancient town in the Judean Valley of Ayalon, 20 mi. (33 km.) N.W. of Jerusalem. Here, Jesus appeared before his disciples after his crucifixion and resurrection (Luke 24:13-16).

Tel Maresha Ð- Next door to Bet Guvrin is yet another remarkable archaeological site. This area was the most important agricultural center in the Jerusalem area. You can see the caves where they raised doves both for fertilizer (from their dung) as well as for offerings at the Temple; also olive presses, wineries, and other artifacts.

Tomb of Samuel -- The traditional site of the tomb of this great Israelite judge and prophet who lived in the 11th century B.C. Standing at the close of one era and the beginning of another, Samuel was instrumental in the painful, but necessary, transition from a loose confederation of Hebrew tribes to a centralized monarchy. He played a part in events which eventually saw his people completely freed from subjection to the Philistines and from the threat of the utter loss of national life. The site is in Neve-Samuel, the highest hill overlooking Jerusalem, and many Jews used to come here to pray on the anniversary of his death. (1 Sam 1-25)

ISRAEL'S DEEP SOUTH AND THE NEGEV

Bedouin Camp and Camel Ride -- Spend an evening in an authentic Bedouin (nomadic herdsmen) camp; enjoy their food, their tent-based lifestyle, and a two hour camel ride!

Eilat -- Israel's southern most city and the country's world famous winter sun resort center on the Red Sea; Eilat is an international city featuring hotels in every price category and a wide range of water sports and other active holiday activities. The city's Coral world Underwater Observatory is a must.

Mitzpe Ramon Crater -- Halfway to Eilat lies this giant crater, a favorite site for hikers and campers, and famous for its beautiful sunrises.

Valley of Arava -- A picturesque valley which runs from the Dead Sea all the way to Eilat.

Sede Boker/Ben Gurion's Home -- "Morning Field" Visit the town made famous by David Ben-Gurion, Israel's first prime minister, and one its founding heroes. It was Ben Gurion's vision that Israel must learn to exploit the vast desert lands of the Negev if she were to survive and be able to absorb the millions of Jews yet to return here. You can visit his home as well as his grave.

EGYPT EXTENSIONS

Cairo -- The thriving capital of this modern Arab republic.

Giza -- Home of the world famous pyramids.

Mount Sinai -- The site of God's revelation to Israel through Moses.

Santa Catharina's Monastery -- At the foot of Mt. Sinai, where some of the oldes extant NT texts found.

JORDAN EXTENSIONS

Amman -- Modern capital of this country, the so-called "Hashemite Kingdom." Also the most important city in ancient Ammon, center of the Ammonites, offspring of Lot, Abraham's nephew.

Jerash/Gerasa -- The modern city of Jerash in Jordan preserves the name of the ancient city of Gerasa, one the most important cities in the region of the Decapolis; 25 miles north of Amman, 40 miles southeast of the Sea of Galilee; some of the best preserved Roman ruins in all of the Middle East.

Madaba -- Site of a 6th Byzantine church with a famous tile mosaic of the entire holy land; the oldest extant map of Jerusalem.

Mount Nebo -- Also identified with Pisgah, located NE of the Dead Sea overlooking the Jordan Valley opposite Jericho. The king of Moab took Balaam the prophet to "the top of Pisgah" in an effort to get him to curse Israel. (Num 23: 13-14) From here, God allowed Moses to view the Promised Land before he died. (Deut 32:49; 34:1)

Petra -- ("Rock") This Edomite city was once the capital of the Nabateans; located in a semi-landlocked valley on the eastern side of the Aravah Valley, about 50 miles south of the Dead Sea. The normal entrance into the city of Petra is through the "Siq" (cleft), a winding fissure in the eastern ridge. At the end of the Siq, the path opens up to a spectacular canyon, with a view of a temple carved into the face of the rock. Some Bible teachers believe that the Jews will flee here during the End-Times battle that will proceed the return of Jesus. Sometimes also called "Sela." (Isaiah 34:4-6; 63:1 Matt 24:15-16 Rev 12:6)