Category: BibleHolyLand
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Olive and Olive Oil: Health Facts and Religious Symbols
The olive and its oil are an amazing and wonderful fruit and oil. It is mentioned throughout all scripture for both it’s religious and health uses. Both uses seem to be related to each other in some way. Let’s first review the health benefits of olive oil. When I say olive oil, I am only… Read more
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The Decapolis City of Sussita (Hippos) Overlooking the Sea of Galilee
Sussita, also spelled Susita, is the Aramaic name for the Decapolis city of Hippos (which is the Greek name). Both names mean “horse” in their respective languages. The 10 cities of the Decapolis were autonomous but, dependent upon Rome for protection. Nine of the cities were east of the Jordan River and Sea of Galilee… Read more
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Qumran and the Dead Sea Scrolls
Qumran was a small settlement during New Testament times by a fringe Jewish religious group called Essene. The settlement was located in the Judean wilderness desert near the northwest shores of the Dead Sea. The Essenes removed themselves from mainline Judaism because of the corruption of the temple priests at Jerusalem. They lived a communal… Read more
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Woman Healed from an Issue of Blood, Luke 8
While Jesus was making his way through a crowded street in Capernaum, a woman desiring to be healed touched the fringe of Jesus’ tallit’s tzitzit (see definition below): “But as he went the people thronged him. And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither… Read more
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The Jerusalem Destruction by the Romans in 70 AD, as Exemplified at the “Burnt House”
What is known as the First Jewish Revolt against Rome began in 66 AD. Emperor Nero sent General Vespasian to crush the rebellion. Vespasian’s plan was to first defeat the countryside and to take Jerusalem last. Part way through the war Nero died and Vespasian was made emperor. He left for Rome leaving his son… Read more
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Driving Out the Money Changers at the Temple in Jerusalem
Money changers are still to be found in Jerusalem as they were at the time of Christ. There are a few differences. They are not on the temple mount as there is nothing there to buy. And there is no trading in livestock. Nevertheless, they are there to exchange your currency into Israeli Shekels. While… Read more
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The Milk Grotto in Bethlehem, and the Flight into Egypt
The cave/grotto under the church has been venerated since the fifth century AD. According to tradition, the holy family stopped here during their flight into Egypt just prior to the slaughter of the innocents. This site is only 383 yards (350 meters) from the Church of the Nativity, so they had not gotten very far… Read more
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Hanukah, the Festival of Light: What is it?
We are currently in the Hanukah holiday. Hanukah (also spelt Chanukah, Chanukkah, and Hanukkah) is considered a minor holiday in Judaism. However, in the west, due to the influence of Christmas which takes place at the same month, Hanukah has grown in popularity. The holiday celebrates the victory over the Greek Seleucid Empire by the… Read more
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The Birth of Christ at Bethlehem
The birth of Jesus Christ took place in a stable at Bethlehem. Anciently caves were often used as secure stables and this was the case at Bethlehem. The Church of the Nativity was built over a series of cave stables. It is the oldest continuously used church in Christendom. The original church was build by… Read more
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The Wisemen’s Gift of Frankincense and Myrrh
According to the Gospels, the Wisemen, or Magi, brought three gifts to the Baby Jesus: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Everyone knows what gold is and looks like, but what about the other two? Above is pictured frankincense on the left and myrrh on the right. “And when they [the Wisemen] were come into the house,… Read more