Monthly Archives: May 2012

Feinan - in fact, the Punon of the Bible -- was one of the stopping places of the Israelites on their way to the Promised Land. (Numbers 33:42) Mines in this area were in use from about 4000 BC to…

Wadi Ram: Ancient caravan gateway to Arabia. Modern site of the filming of "Lawrence of Arabia." Tomorrow: biblical copper mines.

Though the rich Medeba Plateau to the north was coveted by ancient Israel, Ammon, and Moab, this rugged gorge marked the undisputed border. Welcome to Moab. Tomorrow: Petra.

Here's a little calling card that says "Herod was here." If you've seen pictures of the Herodion, they look very similar. This is Machaerus, a fortress Herod inherited from the Hasmoneans and fortified to his own satisfaction. (Yes, that's the…

Unlike Pompeii, Jerash/Gerasa was never destroyed by a volcano. This famously well-preserved Decapolis city appears in the Gospels in connection with Jesus' healing of two demoniacs who were living in tombs, somewhere within the broader region. Its monumental gateways and…

On Gilead's frontier with Syria, which is ominously flat, is a key outpost of Biblical Israel: it's called Ramoth-Gilead. Here wicked king Ahab fought the Syrians, was wounded, and propped himself up in his chariot until he died at sunset.…

Welcome to the Bible-story-rich hills of Upper Gilead, and to the Jabbok Valley. Unlike the other river valleys in the area, which are about as friendly as the Grand Canyon, the Jabbok -- aka "Shepherd's Gateway" -- hospitably provides food…

Ancient Rabbath-Ammon, which towers over the modern city of Amman at its foot. The Ammonites looked down...down...down on anyone bold enough to besiege their city, like David's army under Joab. The onsite museum holds such treasures as the Copper Scroll…

In the next few days, we'll be publishing highlights from a past Historical Geography tour of Jordan. Jordan: Day One The Jordan River, symbol of crossing over into God's covenant. For Joshua, the Essenes, John the Baptist, and Jesus. This…