Bible Holy Lands in Photos, Scripture, and Commentary

See and learn about the Holy Lands of the Bible. New sites will be added every week. See the famous and off the beaten track sites referenced in the Bible.

Tag: Biblical Sites

  • Hanukah, the Festival of Light: What is it?

    Dennis

    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

  • The Birth of Christ at Bethlehem

    Dennis

    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

  • Shepherds in the Field Were the First to be Told the Glad Tidings

    Dennis

    Christians have wanted to celebrate the annunciation to the shepherds for millennia at the site of the event. “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round Read more

  • Where Did the Wisemen Visit King Herod? The Herodium

    Dennis

    There are two possible locations of where the wisemen (Magi) visited King Herod the Great, seeking for the newborn King of the Jews: “Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judæa in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is Read more

  • Nazareth Village (A Living History)

    Dennis

    Nazareth Village, a living history attraction in modern Nazareth city does their best to show village life during the era of Jesus Christ. Nazareth Village tries very hard to show all tools, common occupations, and buildings as they would appear during the Roman period in history. It has managed quite well to recreate a first Read more

  • Biblical Chariots and Wagons

    Dennis

    Chariots were mainly a military vehicle. The basic design was as pictured above. However, they decoration could vary widely. In ancient times they were the “heavy battle tanks” of any army. Foot soldiers feared them as the horses were trained to run over anyone in the way. But they were ineffective in mountainous, marshy, or Read more

  • Jesus Christ’s Baptism at Bethabara Beyond Jordan

    Dennis

    Bethabara (Hebrew word meaning place of fording/crossing) has been identified through geographical references and by the Byzantines who built a church and baptism place across the Jordan river from Judea in what is today the country of Jordan. The site is where a spring flowed into the Jordan River. Many pilgrims came here to be Read more

  • Apostle Peter Raises the Dead and Takes Gospel to Gentiles from Jaffa

    Dennis

    Jaffa (also known as Joppa, Japho, and Yafo) was the most important sea port during the Canaanite and Israelite periods (pre-Old Testament and Old Testament times). During the New Testament and Roman periods it was replaced as the predominant port by Caesarea which was built by Herod the Great. Caesarea was replaced in importance during Read more

  • John the Baptist’s Home Town: Ein Kerem

    Dennis

    The traditional home town of John the Baptist is Ein Kerem (Beth-Haccerem of the Old Testament, see Jeremiah 6:1, and Nehemiah 3:14). It is possibly a correct Byzantine tradition as it is close enough to Jerusalem for a priest of the Temple to be able to take his turn in Temple duties, about 5 miles Read more

  • Elijah vs 450 Prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel

    Dennis

    About 700 BC, the Prophet Elijah ministered in the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Under King Ahab and his infamous Phoenician wife Jezebel, Israel was converted to worshiping the Phoenician god Baal. Elijah was sent to reclaim the Lord’s people. In 1 Kings 18:18-40, it reads: “And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said Read more