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Title Page/Publishers’ Page“See the Good Land”
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Title Page/Publishers’ Page
“See the Good Land”
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Contents“See the Good Land”
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Contents
8 From Egypt to the Promised Land
14 ‘When Jehovah Raised Up Judges’
16 Israel in the Days of David and Solomon
20 Jerusalem and the Temple of Solomon
22 Empires Attack the Promised Land
24 God’s People Return to Their Land
26 Greece and Rome Influence the Jews
28 Jesus “in the Country of the Jews”
30 Jerusalem and the Temple Jesus Knew
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The Lands of the Bible“See the Good Land”
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The Lands of the Bible
AS ISRAEL prepared to enter the Promised Land, Moses expressed to God his deep desire: “Let me pass over, please, and see the good land that is across the Jordan, this good mountainous region.”—De 3:25.
For Moses, that was not to be, but he did ascend a mountain facing Jericho and see the land—‘Gilead as far as Dan and the land of Judah as far as the western sea and the Negeb and the Jordan valley.’ (De 3:27; 34:1-4) Have you heard those names? Do you know their locations?
Few of Jehovah’s people today can visit the many places they read about in the Bible. They are not able to do what God said he would have Abraham do, travel the length and breadth of the Promised Land. (Ge 13:14-17) Still, true Christians are keen to know about Bible locations and to see how they relate, one to the other.
“See the Good Land” is a tool that you can use to expand your understanding of the Scriptures. It contains photographs of actual locations, such as Gilead, shown on the cover. Even more informative are the maps, which can greatly deepen your knowledge of Bible sites.
The map on pages 2 and 3 focuses on major lands or regions. For instance, when you note where Assyria and Egypt were relative to the Promised Land, you can better understand prophecies that mention those lands. (Isa 7:18; 27:13; Ho 11:11; Mic 7:12) The small strip called the Promised Land was an ancient crossroads, and other nations sought to dominate its rich grain fields, vineyards, and olive groves.—De 8:8; Jg 15:5.
Sometimes you will want to compare maps. For instance, Jonah was assigned to the capital of Assyria, but he sailed off for Tarshish. (Jon 1:1-3) Do you find those areas on that first map? But Tarshish is not to be mistaken for Tarsus, where the apostle Paul was born. You will find Tarsus and other notable cities on the map here.
Think of the length and route of Abraham’s trip as you pick out Ur, Haran, and Jerusalem. After Jehovah called him from Ur, he resided in Haran and then moved to the Promised Land. (Ge 11:28–12:1; Ac 7:2-5) Abraham’s trip will come more alive as you study “The World of the Patriarchs,” on pages 6-7.
The first map and the one here are not time specific. After those two, the maps are basically in historical order. Cities or details on a map relate to events of a certain period. While the Index (pages 34-5) does not include every site named on the maps, it can usually help you to find which maps relate to the point you are currently researching.
The map in the center spread (pages 18-19) has the largest collection of towns and cities in the Promised Land. The Map Legend will help you to find the Levite cities and the six cities of refuge as well as to know whether a place was mentioned in the Hebrew Scriptures, the Greek Scriptures, or both.
The locations of some Biblical sites are presently unknown, so most of those names are not on that center map. Also, it was not possible to fit on it every city and town, such as all in the lists of tribal boundaries. (Jos, chaps. 15-19) Yet, that map usually includes nearby cities, thus enabling you to approximate the location. Some geographic features (mountains, rivers, and torrent valleys) are marked, and elevation and terrain are indicated by colors. Such details can help you to visualize aspects of Bible events.
More information about Bible locations is available in the encyclopedia Insight on the Scriptures, which is available in many languages.a As you use that and other Bible study aids, keep “See the Good Land” at hand. Consult it as you study all the Scriptures, which are so beneficial in your life.—2Ti 3:16, 17.
[Footnote]
a Published by Jehovah’s Witnesses.
[Map on page 4, 5]
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Bible Lands and Key Cities
A1 ITALY
A2 ROME
A3 SICILY
A3 MALTA
C2 MACEDONIA
C2 Philippi
C2 GREECE
C3 ATHENS
C3 Corinth
C3 CRETE
C4 LIBYA
D3 Antioch (of Pisidia)
D3 Ephesus
D3 PATMOS
D3 RHODES
D4 MEMPHIS
D5 EGYPT
E2 ASIA MINOR
E3 Tarsus
E3 Antioch (of Syria)
E3 CYPRUS
E4 Sidon
E4 Damascus
E4 Tyre
E4 Caesarea
E4 PROMISED LAND
E4 JERUSALEM
E4 MOAB
E4 Kadesh
E4 EDOM
F3 Garden of Eden?
F3 ASSYRIA
F3 Haran
F3 SYRIA
F5 ARABIA
G3 NINEVEH
G4 BABYLON
G4 CHALDEA
G4 Shushan
G4 Ur
H3 MEDIA
[Mountains]
E5 Mt. Sinai
G2 ARARAT MTS.
[Bodies of water]
C3 Mediterranean Sea (Great Sea)
E1 Black Sea
E5 Red Sea
H2 Caspian Sea
H5 Persian Gulf
[Rivers]
D5 Nile River
F3 Euphrates River
G3 Tigris River
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The World of the Patriarchs“See the Good Land”
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The World of the Patriarchs
STEPHEN began a famous speech with some geographic facts: “[Jehovah] appeared to our forefather Abraham while he was in Mesopotamia, before he took up residence in Haran, and he said to him, ‘Go . . . into the land I shall show you.’” (Ac 7:1-4) This laid a basis for key events in the Promised Land involving Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, events linked to God’s purpose to bless mankind.—Ge 12:1-3; Jos 24:3.
God called Abraham (or, Abram) from Ur of the Chaldeans, a prosperous city then located on the east bank of the Euphrates River. What route would Abraham take? From Chaldea, a region also called Sumer or Shinar, it might seem easy to go due west. Why go way up to Haran?
Ur lay near the eastern end of the Fertile Crescent, a semicircle extending from Palestine to the basin of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. This area may formerly have had a more moderate climate. Below the curve of the crescent lay the Syro-Arabian Desert, marked by limestone hills and sandy plains. The Encyclopædia Britannica says that it was “a nearly impenetrable barrier” between the Mediterranean Coast and Mesopotamia. Some caravans might cross from the Euphrates to Tadmor and then to Damascus, but Abraham did not lead his family and herds through such a wilderness.
Rather, Abraham went up the Euphrates River valley to Haran. From there he could follow a trade route to a ford at Carchemish and then head south by Damascus and on to what came to be called the Sea of Galilee. The Via Maris, or “The Way of the Sea,” ran by Megiddo and on to Egypt. However, Abraham traveled through the mountains of Samaria, finally tenting at Shechem. In time, he continued down that highland route. Follow him as you read Genesis 12:8–13:4. Note other places that were part of his varied experience: Dan, Damascus, Hobah, Mamre, Sodom, Gerar, Beer-sheba, and Moriah (Jerusalem).—Ge 14:14-16; 18:1-16; 20:1-18; 21:25-34; 22:1-19.
Understanding some of the geography illuminates events in the lives of Isaac and Jacob. For instance, while Abraham was in Beer-sheba, where did he send his servant to find a wife for Isaac? Way up to Mesopotamia (meaning, “Land Between Rivers”) to Paddan-aram. Then imagine Rebekah’s strenuous trip by camel to the Negeb, perhaps near Kadesh, to meet Isaac.—Ge 24:10, 62-64.
Later their son Jacob (Israel) made a similar long trip to marry a worshiper of Jehovah. Jacob took a somewhat different route back to his land. After he forded the Jabbok near Penuel, Jacob wrestled with an angel. (Ge 31:21-25; 32:2, 22-30) Esau met him in that area, and then each went to reside in a different region.—Ge 33:1, 15-20.
After Jacob’s daughter Dinah was raped at Shechem, Jacob moved to Bethel. Can you envision, though, how far Jacob’s sons went to pasture his flock and where Joseph eventually found them? This map (and pages 18-19) may help you to see the distance between Hebron and Dothan. (Ge 35:1-8; 37:12-17) Joseph’s brothers sold him to traders headed to Egypt. What route do you think they were taking in an event that set the stage for the Israelites’ move to Egypt and for the Exodus?—Ge 37:25-28.
[Maps on page 7]
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Abraham’s Travels (see publication)
Isaac’s Travels (see publication)
Jacob’s Travels (see publication)
Main Roads (see publication)
Patriarchs (overview)
A4 GOSHEN
A5 EGYPT
B4 SHUR
B5 PARAN
C3 Damascus
C3 Dan (Laish)
C4 Shechem
C4 Bethel
C4 Hebron (Kiriath-arba)
C4 Gerar
C4 Beer-sheba
C4 SEIR
C4 Kadesh
C5 EDOM
D1 Carchemish
D2 Tadmor
D3 Hobah
E1 PADDAN-ARAM
E1 Haran
F2 MESOPOTAMIA
G1 Nineveh
G2 FERTILE CRESCENT
G3 Babylon
H4 CHALDEA
H4 Ur
[Mountains]
C4 Moriah
[Bodies of water]
B3 Mediterranean Sea (Great Sea)
[Rivers]
E2 Euphrates
G2 Tigris
Patriarchs (in Promised Land)
CANAAN
Megiddo
GILEAD
Dothan
Shechem
Succoth
Mahanaim
Penuel
Bethel (Luz)
Ai
Jerusalem (Salem)
Bethlehem (Ephrath)
Mamre
Hebron (Machpelah)
Gerar
Beer-sheba
Sodom?
NEGEB
Rehoboth?
Beer-lahai-roi
Kadesh
Main Roads
Via Maris
King’s Road
[Mountains]
Moriah
[Bodies of water]
Salt Sea
[Rivers and streams]
Jabbok
Jordan
[Picture on page 6]
Euphrates River near Babylon
[Picture on page 6]
Abraham lived in Beer-sheba and pastured flocks nearby
[Picture on page 6]
Torrent valley of Jabbok
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From Egypt to the Promised Land“See the Good Land”
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From Egypt to the Promised Land
PEOPLE everywhere know of the Exodus from Egypt. But what awaited Moses and God’s people after they crossed the Red Sea? Where did they head, and how did they reach the Jordan River to enter the Promised Land?
Their goal was the land of Canaan, yet Moses did not take the shortest route—about 250 miles (400 km) along the sandy coast—which would have led straight through Philistia, enemy territory. Nor did he head across the vast center of the Sinai Peninsula, where intense heat baked the gravel and limestone plateau. No, Moses led the people south, down the narrow coastal plain. The first camp was at Marah, where Jehovah made bitter water turn sweet.a After leaving Elim, the people murmured for food; God sent quail and then manna. At Rephidim, water was again an issue, attacking Amalekites were vanquished, and Moses’ father-in-law urged him to get help from capable men.—Ex, chaps. 15-18.
Moses then led Israel toward the mountains farther south, camping at Mount Sinai. There God’s people received the Law, built the tabernacle, and offered sacrifices. In the second year, they went north through a “great and fear-inspiring wilderness,” the journey to the area of Kadesh (Kadesh-barnea) apparently taking 11 days. (De 1:1, 2, 19; 8:15) Because of becoming fearful over a negative report from ten spies, the people had to wander for 38 years. (Nu 13:1–14:34) Among their stops were Abronah and Ezion-geber, and then they went back to Kadesh.—Nu 33:33-36.
When it was finally time for Israel to approach the Promised Land, the Israelites did not move due north. Their route took them around Edom’s heartland and up “the king’s road,” the King’s Highway. (Nu 21:22; De 2:1-8) It was not easy for a whole nation—with children, animals, and tents—to move over this trail. They had to wind down into and climb back out of formidable gorges—the Zered and the Arnon (nearly 1,700 feet (520 m) deep).—De 2:13, 14, 24.
Finally, the Israelites reached Mount Nebo. Miriam had died at Kadesh, and Aaron, at Mount Hor. Moses now died in sight of the land he had desired to enter. (De 32:48-52; 34:1-5) It fell to Joshua to lead Israel into the land, ending a journey begun 40 years earlier.—Jos 1:1-4.
[Footnote]
a The exact location of most encampments is not known.
[Map on page 9]
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Exodus Route
Route Israel Took
A7 EGYPT
A5 Rameses?
B5 Succoth?
C5 Etham?
C5 Pihahiroth
D6 Marah
D6 Elim
E6 WILDERNESS OF SIN
E7 Dophkah
F8 Rephidim
F8 Mt. Sinai (Horeb)
F8 WILDERNESS OF SINAI
F7 Kibroth-hattaavah
G7 Hazeroth
G6 Rimmon-perez
G5 Rissah
G3 Kadesh
G3 Bene-jaakan
G5 Hor-haggidgad
H5 Jotbathah
H5 Abronah
H6 Ezion-geber
G3 Kadesh
G3 WILDERNESS OF ZIN
H3 Mt. Hor
H3 Zalmonah
I3 Punon
I3 Iye-abarim
I2 MOAB
I1 Dibon
I1 Almon-diblathaim
H1 Jericho
[Other locations]
A3 GOSHEN
A4 On
A5 Memphis (Noph)
B3 Zoan
B3 Tahpanhes
C5 Migdol
D3 SHUR
D5 WILDERNESS OF ETHAM
F5 WILDERNESS OF PARAN
G1 PHILISTIA
G1 Ashdod
G2 Gaza
G2 Beer-sheba
G3 Azmon
G3 NEGEB
H1 Jerusalem
H1 Hebron (Kiriath-arba)
H2 Arad (Canaanite)
H4 SEIR
H4 EDOM
I7 MIDIAN
Main Roads
Way to the Land of the Philistines
Way to Shur
I4 King’s Road
Caravan Route
El Haj Route
[Mountains]
F8 Mt. Sinai (Horeb)
H3 Mt. Hor
I1 Mt. Nebo
[Bodies of water]
E2 Mediterranean Sea (Great Sea)
D7/G7 Red Sea
I1 Salt Sea
[Rivers and streams]
A6 Nile River
F3 T.V. of Egypt
I2 Arnon
I3 Zered
[Picture on page 8]
Caravans crossed the Sinai Peninsula
[Picture on page 8]
Israel camped before Mount Sinai
[Picture on page 9]
Water was available from springs at or near Kadesh
[Picture on page 9]
All Israel had to traverse the torrent valley of Arnon
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Israel in Its Surroundings“See the Good Land”
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Israel in Its Surroundings
JEHOVAH told Abraham: ‘Go from Ur in Mesopotamia to the country that I shall show you.’ That country was inhabited and surrounded by other nations.—Ge 12:1-3; 15:17-21.
As God’s people moved away from Egypt, they knew that they might face resistance from enemies, such as “the despots of Moab.” (Ex 15:14, 15) The Amalekites, Moabites, Ammonites, and Amorites were on Israel’s route to the Promised Land. (Nu 21:11-13; De 2:17-33; 23:3, 4) And the Israelites would encounter other enemy nations in the land that God had promised them.
God said that Israel was to “clear away” seven “populous nations”—the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites—that merited destruction. They were morally degraded and religiously corrupt. Their gods included Baal (noted for phallic stone pillars), Molech (object of child sacrifice), and the fertility goddess Ashtoreth (Astarte).—De 7:1-4; 12:31; Ex 23:23; Le 18:21-25; 20:2-5; Jg 2:11-14; Ps 106:37, 38.
Sometimes the whole area that God was giving to Israel was called “Canaan,” from north of Sidon to “the torrent valley of Egypt.” (Nu 13:2, 21; 34:2-12; Ge 10:19) At other times the Bible names various nations, city-states, or peoples in that land. Some had distinct locales, such as the Philistines on the coast and the Jebusites in the mountains near Jerusalem. (Nu 13:29; Jos 13:3) Others changed locations or territory over time.—Ge 34:1, 2; 49:30; Jos 1:4; 11:3; Jg 1:16, 23-26.
At the time of the Exodus, the Amorites were likely the dominant tribe.a (De 1:19-21; Jos 24:15) They had seized Moabite land down to the torrent valley of Arnon, though the area across from Jericho was still called “the desert plains of Moab.” Amorite kings also ruled Bashan and Gilead.—Nu 21:21-23, 33-35; 22:1; 33:46-51.
Even though they had God’s backing, the Israelites did not eliminate all those condemned nations, who over time ensnared Israel. (Nu 33:55; Jos 23:13; Jg 2:3; 3:5, 6; 2Ki 21:11) Yes, the Israelites fell victim despite the warning: “You must not walk after other gods, any gods of the peoples who are all around you.”—De 6:14; 13:7.
[Footnote]
a Like “Canaanite,” “Amorite” could be used collectively for the peoples of the land or could be listed separately.—Ge 15:16; 48:22.
[Map on page 11]
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Nations to Be Displaced From the Promised Land
PHILISTIA (D8)
C8 Ashkelon
C9 Gaza
D8 Ashdod
D8 Gath
D9 Gerar
CANAAN (D8)
B10 AMALEKITES
C12 Hazar-addar (Addar?)
C12 Kadesh (Kadesh-barnea)
D8 Lachish
D9 Beer-sheba
D10 AMORITES
D11 NEGEB
E4 Dor
E5 Megiddo
E5 Taanach
E6 Aphek
E6 HIVITES
E7 JEBUSITES
E8 Beth-shemesh
E8 Hebron (Kiriath-arba)
E9 HITTITES
E9 Debir
E10 Arad (Canaanite)
E10 KENITES
E11 Akrabbim
F4 GIRGASHITES
F6 Shechem
F7 PERIZZITES
F7 Gilgal
F7 Jericho
F8 Jerusalem
G2 HIVITES
G2 Dan (Laish)
G3 Hazor
PHOENICIA (F2)
E2 Tyre
F1 Sidon
EDOM (F12)
F11 SEIR
G11 Bozrah
AMORITES (SIHON) (G8)
G6 GILEAD
G7 Shittim
G7 Heshbon
G9 Aroer
SYRIA (H1)
G1 Baal-gad
G2 HIVITES
I1 Damascus
MOAB (H10)
AMORITES (OG) (I5)
G6 GILEAD
H3 BASHAN
H4 Ashtaroth
H4 Edrei
AMMON (I7)
H7 Rabbah
[Deserts]
H12 ARABIAN DESERT
[Mountains]
E4 Mt. Carmel
E11 Mt. Hor
G1 Mt. Hermon
G8 Mt. Nebo
[Bodies of water]
C6 Mediterranean Sea (Great Sea)
F9 Salt Sea
G4 Sea of Galilee
[Rivers and streams]
B11 T.V. of Egypt
F6 Jordan River
G6 T.V. of Jabbok
G9 T.V. of Arnon
G11 T.V. of Zered
[Pictures on page 10]
Right: Amorite King Og ruled Bashan, noted for its bulls and sheep
Below: Moab, looking across the Salt Sea to the wilderness of Judah
[Picture on page 11]
Jehovah directed Israel to displace nations worshiping false gods, such as Baal, Molech, and the fertility goddess Ashtoreth (shown)
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“A Land Good and Spacious”“See the Good Land”
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“A Land Good and Spacious”
AT THE burning bush, God told Moses that He would “deliver [His people] out of the hand of the Egyptians and . . . bring them . . . to a land good and spacious, to a land flowing with milk and honey.”—Ex 3:8.
These two digital models may help you to grasp the variety of natural regions and terrains of the Promised Land. (Elevations are visually enhanced to emphasize the scale.) Consult the colored graph to see the altitudes relative to sea level.
The chart offers one way of listing natural regions of the land. You can find a description with Bible references of the regions in “All Scripture Is Inspired of God and Beneficial” (Study 1, pages 270-8) and in Insight on the Scriptures (Volume 2, pages 568-71).a
[Footnote]
a Published by Jehovah’s Witnesses.
[Chart/Maps on page 12, 13]
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Topography of the Land
Chart of Natural Regions
A. Coast of Great Sea
B. Plains West of Jordan
1. Plain of Asher
2. Coastal Strip of Dor
3. Pasture Grounds of Sharon
4. Plain of Philistia
5. Central East-West Valley
a. Plain of Megiddo
b. Low Plain of Jezreel
C. Mountains West of Jordan
1. Hills of Galilee
2. Hills of Carmel
3. Hills of Samaria
4. Shephelah (low hills)
5. Hill Country of Judah
6. Wilderness of Judah
7. Negeb
8. Wilderness of Paran
D. Arabah (Rift Valley)
1. Hula Basin
2. Area of Sea of Galilee
3. Jordan Valley
4. Salt Sea (Dead Sea)
5. Arabah (south of Salt Sea)
E. Mountains/Tablelands East of Jordan
1. Bashan
2. Gilead
3. Ammon and Moab
4. Mountain Plateau of Edom
F. Mountains of Lebanon
[Map]
Mt. Hermon
Dan
Jerusalem
Beersheba
Cross Section of the Promised Land
meters feet
2,500 7,500
2,000 6,000
1,500 4,500
1,000 3,000
500 1,500
0 0 (Sea Level)
-500 -1,500
Plain of Philistia
Shephelah
Hill Country of Judah
Wilderness of Judah
Rift Valley
Salt Sea
Land of Moab
[Picture on page 13]
Mt. Hermon (2,814 m; 9,232 ft)
[Picture on page 13]
Shore of Salt Sea; lowest spot on earth (about 400 m, 1,300 ft, below sea level)
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‘When Jehovah Raised Up Judges’“See the Good Land”
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‘When Jehovah Raised Up Judges’
YOU can readily find Mount Tabor (F4) on the map—southwest of the Sea of Galilee, in the Valley of Jezreel. Try to visualize an army of 10,000 assembled on top of the mountain. Jehovah used Judge Barak and the prophetess Deborah to rally Israel against Canaanite King Jabin, who had oppressed the people for 20 years. Under army chief Sisera, Jabin’s 900 chariots equipped with menacing iron scythes came from Harosheth to the dry bed of the Kishon, between Megiddo and Mount Tabor.
Judge Barak led the men of Israel down into the valley to engage Sisera’s forces. Jehovah ensured victory by sending a flash flood that bogged down Sisera’s chariots, which panicked the Canaanites. (Jg 4:1–5:31) That was just one of the many victories that God granted Israel during the period of the Judges.
After the conquest of Canaan, the land was apportioned to the tribes of Israel. Note where various non-Levite tribes settled. The small tribe of Simeon received cities in Judah’s territory. Following Joshua’s death, the nation fell into spiritual and moral decline. Israel “got to be in very sore straits,” oppressed by enemies. Responding compassionately, ‘Jehovah raised up judges’—12 men of faith and courage—who delivered Israel in the course of three centuries.—Jg 2:15, 16, 19.
Judge Gideon used only 300 lightly armed but mobile soldiers to rout 135,000 Midianite warriors. The battlefield was between Mount Gilboa and Moreh. After an initial victory, Gideon chased the enemy to the east, into the desert.—Jg 6:1–8:32.
Jephthah, a Gileadite of the tribe of Manasseh, freed Israelite towns east of the Jordan from the Ammonite oppressors. To achieve his victory, Jephthah likely traveled on the King’s Road, which linked Ramoth-gilead and the area of Aroer.—Jg 11:1–12:7.
Samson’s exploits against the Philistines centered on the coastal area around Gaza and Ashkelon. Gaza lies in a well-watered region famous for agriculture. Samson used 300 foxes to set fire to the Philistines’ grainfields, vineyards, and olive groves.—Jg 15:4, 5.
As evident from the Biblical account or as suggested by their tribe, the judges were active across the Promised Land. Wherever the scene of action, Jehovah took good care of his repentant people in times of crisis.
[Map on page 15]
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Tribes and Judges
Judges
1. Othniel (Tribe of Manasseh)
2. Ehud (Tribe of Judah)
3. Shamgar (Tribe of Judah)
4. Barak (Tribe of Naphtali)
5. Gideon (Tribe of Issachar)
6. Tola (Tribe of Manasseh)
7. Jair (Tribe of Manasseh)
8. Jephthah (Tribe of Gad)
9. Ibzan (Tribe of Zebulun)
10. Elon (Tribe of Zebulun)
11. Abdon (Tribe of Ephraim)
12. Samson (Tribe of Judah)
Tribal Allotments (See publication)
Enclave Cities of Manasseh
E4 Dor
E5 Megiddo
E5 Taanach
F4 En-dor
F5 Beth-shean (Beth-shan)
F5 Ibleam (Gath-rimmon)
Enclave Cities of Simeon
C9 Sharuhen (Shaaraim) (Shilhim)
C10 Beth-lebaoth (Beth-biri)
D8 Ether (Tochen)
D9 Ziklag
D9 Ain
D9 Hazar-susah?
D9 Ashan
D9 Beer-sheba
D10 Hazar-shual
E9 Etam
E9 Beth-marcaboth
E9 Bethuel? (Chesil?)
E9 Sheba? (Jeshua)
E10 Baalath-beer (Baal)
E10 Ezem
Levite Cities of Refuge
E8 Hebron
F3 Kedesh
F6 Shechem
H4 Golan
H5 Ramoth-gilead
H8 Bezer
Main Roads
B10 Via Maris
G10 King’s Road
Tribes of Israel
DAN (D7)
D7 Joppa
E8 Zorah
JUDAH (D9)
C8 Ashkelon
C9 Gaza
C9 Sharuhen (Shaaraim) (Shilhim)
C10 Beth-lebaoth (Beth-biri)
C12 Azmon
C12 Kadesh
D7 Jabneel
D8 Ether (Tochen)
D9 Ziklag
D9 Ain
D9 Hazar-susah?
D9 Ashan
D9 Beer-sheba
D10 Hazar-shual
E8 Lehi
E8 Bethlehem
E8 Hebron
E9 Etam
E9 Beth-marcaboth
E9 Bethuel? (Chesil?)
E9 Sheba? (Jeshua)
E10 Baalath-beer (Baal)
E10 Ezem
ASHER (E3)
E2 Tyre
E4 Harosheth
E4 Dor
F1 Sidon
MANASSEH (E5)
E6 Shamir (Samaria)
E6 Pirathon
F6 Shechem
G5 Abel-meholah
EPHRAIM (E7)
E7 Timnath-serah
F6 Tappuah
F6 Shiloh
F7 Bethel (Luz)
NAPHTALI (F3)
F2 Beth-anath
F3 Kedesh
G3 Hazor
ZEBULUN (F4)
E4 Bethlehem
ISSACHAR (F5)
E5 Megiddo
E5 Kedesh (Kishion)
E5 Taanach
F4 En-dor
F5 Beth-shittah
F5 Beth-shean (Beth-shan)
F5 Ibleam (Gath-rimmon)
BENJAMIN (F7)
F7 Gilgal
F8 Jerusalem
DAN (G2)
G2 Dan (Laish)
MANASSEH (H3)
H4 Golan
GAD (H6)
G6 Succoth
G6 Penuel
G6 Mizpah (Mizpeh)
G7 Jogbehah
H5 Ramoth-gilead
H7 Rabbah
H7 Abel-keramim
REUBEN (H8)
G7 Heshbon
G9 Aroer
H7 Minnith
H8 Bezer
[Other locations]
I1 Damascus
[Mountains]
F4 Mt. Tabor
F4 Moreh
F5 Mt. Gilboa
F6 Mt. Ebal
F6 Mt. Gerizim
[Bodies of water]
C5 Mediterranean Sea (Great Sea)
F9 Salt Sea
G4 Sea of Galilee
[Rivers and streams]
B11 T.V. of Egypt
F6 Jordan River
G6 T.V. of Jabbok
G9 T.V. of Arnon
G11 T.V. of Zered
[Picture on page 14]
Mount Tabor, in Issachar’s territory, rises over the Valley of Jezreel
[Picture on page 14]
The flooding Kishon bogged down Sisera’s chariots
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Israel in the Days of David and Solomon“See the Good Land”
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Israel in the Days of David and Solomon
GOD promised to give Abram’s seed the land “from the river of Egypt to . . . the river Euphrates.” (Ge 15:18; Ex 23:31; De 1:7, 8; 11:24) After Joshua entered Canaan, it was some four centuries before the Promised Land reached those limits.
King David overthrew the Aramaean kingdom of Zobah, which reached the Euphrates in northern Syria.a To the south, David’s success against the Philistines brought him to Egypt’s border.—2Sa 8:3; 1Ch 18:1-3; 20:4-8; 2Ch 9:26.
Solomon then ruled “from the River [Euphrates] to the land of the Philistines and to the boundary of Egypt,” foreshadowing the Messiah’s peaceful rule. (1Ki 4:21-25; 8:65; 1Ch 13:5; Ps 72:8; Zec 9:10) Still, the area that Israel occupied was normally said to extend “from Dan to Beer-sheba.”—2Sa 3:10; 2Ch 30:5.
Disobeying God, King Solomon accumulated horses and chariots. (De 17:16; 2Ch 9:25) He could move these over a network of roads and highways. (Jos 2:22; 1Ki 11:29; Isa 7:3; Mt 8:28) We have a detailed route of only a few of these, such as “the highway that goes up from Bethel to Shechem and toward the south of Lebonah.”—Jg 5:6; 21:19.
The Roads and Highways of Ancient Israel notes: “The most obvious difficulty in investigating ancient Israel’s road network is the fact that no clearly identifiable physical traces of the country’s roads from the Old Testament period have survived, because roads were not paved during [that period].” Yet, topography and the excavated remains of cities indicate the course of many of the roads.
Roads often influenced troop movements. (1Sa 13:17, 18; 2Ki 3:5-8) To attack Israel, the Philistines marched from Ekron and Gath to the area “between Socoh and Azekah.” Saul’s army met them there “in the low plain of Elah.” After David slew Goliath, the Philistines fled back to Gath and Ekron, and David went up to Jerusalem.—1Sa 17:1-54.
Lachish (D10), Azekah (D9), and Beth-shemesh (D9) sat astride natural routes through the Shephelah and toward the Judean hills. Thus these cities were keys to blocking enemies on the Via Maris from coming into Israel’s heartland.—1Sa 6:9, 12; 2Ki 18:13-17.
[Footnote]
a Reubenite territory reached into the Syrian Desert, the eastern edge of which was the Euphrates.—1Ch 5:9, 10.
[Maps on page 17]
(For fully formatted text, see publication)
Territory and Roads During United Monarchy
Boundaries (Solomon’s time)
Tiphsah
Hamath
Tadmor
Berothai (Cun?)
Sidon
Damascus
Tyre
Dan
Jerusalem
Gaza
Aroer
Beer-sheba
Tamar
Ezion-geber
Elath (Eloth)
[Rivers and streams]
Euphrates
T.V. of Egypt
David and Solomon (roads)
B10 Gaza
C8 Joppa
C9 Ashdod
C10 Ashkelon
C11 Ziklag
C12 WILDERNESS OF PARAN
D5 Dor
D6 Hepher
D8 Aphek
D8 Ramah
D9 Shaalbim
D9 Gezer
D9 Makaz
D9 Ekron
D9 Beth-shemesh
D9 Gath
D9 Azekah
D10 Soco(h)
D10 Adullam
D10 Keilah
D10 Lachish
D11 Jattir
D12 Beer-sheba
E2 Tyre
E4 Cabul
E5 Jokneam (Jokmeam?)
E5 Megiddo
E6 Taanach
E6 Arubboth
E7 Pirathon
E8 Lebonah
E8 Zeredah
E8 Bethel
E9 Lower Beth-horon
E9 Upper Beth-horon
E9 Geba
E9 Gibeon
E9 Gibeah
E9 Kiriath-jearim
E9 Nob
E9 Baal-perazim
E9 Jerusalem
E9 Bethlehem
E10 Tekoa
E10 Hebron
E11 Ziph
E11 Horesh?
E11 Carmel
E11 Maon
E11 Eshtemoa
F5 En-dor
F5 Shunem
F5 Jezreel
F6 Beth-shean
F7 Tirzah
F7 Shechem
F8 Zarethan
F8 Shiloh
F8 Ophrah?
F9 Jericho
F11 En-gedi
G2 Abel-beth-maacah
G2 Dan
G3 Hazor
G3 MAACAH
G5 Lo-debar (Debir)
G5 Rogelim
G6 Abel-meholah
G7 Succoth
G7 Mahanaim
H1 SYRIA
H4 GESHUR
H6 Ramoth-gilead
H8 Rabbah
H9 Medeba
H11 Aroer
H12 MOAB
I4 Helam?
I9 AMMON
[Main Roads]
C10 Via Maris
H6 King’s Road
[Mountains]
F5 Mt. Gilboa
[Bodies of water]
C8 Mediterranean Sea (Great Sea)
F10 Salt Sea (Dead Sea)
G4 Sea of Galilee
[Spring or well]
E9 En-rogel
[Pictures on page 16]
Right: Valley of Elah, looking eastward to the hills of Judah
Below: A network of roads permitted travel in the Promised Land
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The Promised Land“See the Good Land”
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The Promised Land
Map Legend
▴ Levite Cities
▵ Cities of Refuge
• Hebrew Scripture Sites
○ Greek Scripture Sites
▪ Sites in Both Hebrew and Greek Scriptures
Jerusalem Area
▴ Geba
▪ Ramah
▴ Gibeon
• Azmaveth
○ Emmaus
• Chephirah
• Gibeah
• Hazor
▴ Almon
• Gallim
• Kiriath-jearim
▴ Anathoth
• Mozah
• Nob
• Bahurim
• Baal-perazim
○ Bethphage
▪ JERUSALEM
○ Bethany
• Manahath
▪ Bethlehem
[Springs and wells]
Nephtoah
En-shemesh
En-rogel
Promised Land (most cities)
A11 • Ashkelon
A11 ▪ Gaza
A12 • Gerar
A13 • Sharuhen (Shaaraim) (Shilhim)
B8 ▴ Gath-rimmon
B8 ▪ Joppa
B9 • Beth-dagon
B9 ▴ Elteke(h)
B9 • Jabneel
B10 • Gederah
B10 ▪ Ashdod
B11 • Eglon
B11 • Chitlish
B12 • Ziklag
B13 ▴ Ashan (Ain)
B13 • Beer-sheba
C5 • Dor
C6 ○ Caesarea
C7 • Hepher
C7 • Socoh
C8 • Baal-shalishah
C8 ▪ Aphek (Antipatris)
C8 • Ebenezer
C8 • Jehud
C8 ▪ Ramah (Arimathea)
C8 • Ono
C9 • Neballat
C9 • Hadid
C9 ▪ Lod (Lydda)
C9 • Gimzo
C9 • Shaalbim
C9 ▴ Gezer
C9 ▴ Gibbethon
C10 ▴ Aijalon
C10 • Timnah
C10 • Eshtaol
C10 • Ekron
C10 • Zorah
C10 ▴ Beth-shemesh
C10 • Lehi
C10 • Makkedah
C10 • Zanoah
C10 • Jarmuth
C10 • Gath
C10 • Azekah
C10 • Timnah
C10 • Soco(h)
C11 ▴ Holon
C11 • Adullam
C11 • Moresheth
C11 ▴ Libnah
C11 • Keilah
C11 • Maresha(h)
C11 • Lachish
C11 • Shaphir
C11 • Etam
C12 • Beth-ezel
C12 ▴ Debir
C12 • Anab
C12 • Goshen
C12 • Ain
C12 ▴ Jattir
C12 • Madmannah (Beth-marcaboth)
C12 • Sansannah (Hazar-susah?)
C13 • Jeshua
C13 • Hazar-shual
C13 • Jagur
D1 ▪ Zarephath
D1 • Helbah
D2 ▪ Tyre
D2 • Hammon
D3 • Misrephoth-maim
D3 • Achzib
D3 ▴ Abdon
D3 • Beth-emek
D4 • Acco
D4 ○ Ptolemais
D4 • Rehob
D4 • Neiel
D4 • Cabul
D4 • Aphek
D4 • Jotbah
D4 • Hali
D5 • Bethlehem
D5 • Harosheth
D5 • Shimron
D5 ▴ Helkath
D5 • Dabbesheth
D5 ▴ Jokneam
D5 • Sarid
D5 • Megiddo
D6 ▴ Kedesh (Kishion)
D6 • Hadadrimmon
D6 ▴ Taanach
D6 • Dothan
D6 • Arubboth
D7 • SAMARIA
D8 • Pirathon
D8 • Tappuah
D8 • Lebonah
D8 • Zeredah
D8 • Gilgal
D9 • Timnath-serah
D9 • Jeshanah
D9 • Ophni
D9 • Bethel (Luz)
D9 • Ai
D9 ▴ Lower Beth-horon
D9 • Mizpah (Mizpeh)
D9 • Upper Beth-horon
D9 • Migron
D9 ▴ Geba
D9 ▪ Ramah
D9 ▴ Gibeon
D10 ○ Emmaus
D10 • Chephirah
D10 • Gibeah
D10 • Kiriath-jearim
D10 ▴ Anathoth
D10 ▪ JERUSALEM
D10 ○ Bethany
D10 ▪ Bethlehem
D10 • Etam
D10 • Gibeah
D10 • Netophah
D11 • Tekoa
D11 • Giloh
D11 • Beth-zur
D11 • Mamre
D11 ▵ Hebron (Machpelah)
D11 • Kain
D12 • Ziph
D12 • Horesh?
D12 ▴ Juttah
D12 • Carmel
D12 • Maon
D12 ▴ Eshtemoa
D12 • Hazor (Bethuel?) (Chesil?)
D13 • Arad
D13 • Ramah (Baal)
E2 • Migdal-el
E2 • Kanah
E2 • Beth-anath
E3 • Yiron
E3 • Ramah
E4 ○ Cana
E4 • Madon
E4 ▴ Dimnah
E4 • Rumah
E5 • Gath-hepher
E5 • Lassharon
E5 ○ Nazareth
E5 ▴ Daberath
E5 • Chesulloth
E5 • En-dor
E5 ○ Nain
E5 • Shunem
E5 • Ophrah
E6 • Jezreel
E6 • Beth-shittah
E6 ▴ En-gannim
E6 ▴ Ibleam (Gath-rimmon)
E7 • Bezek
E7 • Thebez
E7 • Tirzah
E7 ○ Sychar
E7 ▵ Shechem
E8 • Michmethath
E8 • Taanath-shiloh
E8 • Arumah
E8 • Zarethan
E8 • Shiloh
E9 • Baal-hazor
E9 ▪ Ephraim (Ophrah?)
E9 • Naarah
E9 • Gilgal
E9 • Michmas(h)
E9 ▪ Jericho
E10 • Parah
E10 ▴ Almon
E10 • City of Salt
E10 • Secacah
E10 • Nibshan
E12 • En-gedi
E13 • Sodom?
F1 • Baal-gad
F1 • Ijon
F2 • Abel-beth-maacah
F2 • Dan (Laish)
F2 ○ Caesarea Philippi
F2 • Janoah
F2 ▵ Kedesh
F3 • Edrei
F3 • Meroz
F3 • Hazor
F4 ○ Chorazin
F4 ○ Bethsaida
F4 ○ Capernaum
F4 • Chinnereth
F4 ○ Magadan
F4 • Rakkath
F4 ○ Tiberias
F4 • Aphek
F4 ▴ Hammath (Hammoth-dor)
F5 • Jabneel
F5 • Beth-shemesh
F5 ○ Gadara
F5 ▴ Ramoth (Jarmuth)
F5 • Lo-debar (Debir)
F6 ▪ Beth-shean (Beth-shan) (Scythopolis)
F6 ○ Pella
F6 • Jabesh-gilead?
F6 ○ Salim
F6 ○ Aenon
F7 • Abel-meholah
F7 • Zaphon
F8 • Succoth
F8 ▴ Mahanaim
F8 • Penuel
F8 • Adam
F9 • Beth-nimrah
F9 • Beth-arabah
F10 • Shittim
F10 • Beth-hoglah
F10 • Beth-haran
F10 • Beth-peor
F10 • Beth-jeshimoth
F11 • Zereth-shahar
F11 • Ataroth
F11 • Kiriathaim
F13 • Eglaim
G6 • House of Arbel
G6 • Rogelim
G6 • Ham
G7 ○ Gerasa (Jarash)
G8 • Mizpah (Mizpeh)
G8 • Jogbehah
G9 • Betonim
G10 • Elealeh
G10 ▴ Heshbon
G10 ▵ Bezer
G10 • Nebo
G10 • Bamoth-baal
G10 • Medeba
G10 • Baal-meon
G11 • Almon-diblathaim
G11 ▴ Kedemoth
G11 • Dibon
G12 • Aroer
G13 • Dimon
G13 • Kir of Moab (Kir-hareseth)
H4 ▴ Ashtaroth (Beeshterah)
H4 ▵ Golan
H5 • Edrei
H6 ▵ Ramoth-gilead
H9 ▪ Rabbah (Philadelphia)
H9 • Abel-keramim
H9 ▴ Mephaath
Mountain Peaks
C5 Mt. Carmel
D7 Mt. Ebal
D7 Mt. Gerizim
D10 Mt. Seir
E5 Mt. Tabor
E5 Moreh
E6 Mt. Gilboa
G1 Mt. Hermon
G10 Mt. Nebo (Pisgah)
T.V. Torrent Valley
A12 T.V. of Gerar
A13 T.V. of Besor
B10 T.V. of Sorek
D4 T.V. of Kishon
E7 T.V. of Farʽah
G5 T.V. of Yarmuk
G8 T.V. of Jabbok
G12 T.V. of Arnon
[Bodies of water]
B8 Mediterranean Sea (Great Sea)
E11 Salt Sea (Dead Sea)
F3 Lake Hula
F4 Sea of Galilee
[Rivers]
B8 Yarkon River
F8 Jordan River
[Springs and wells]
D10 En-rogel
E3 Waters of Merom
E6 Well of Harod
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Jerusalem and the Temple of Solomon“See the Good Land”
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Jerusalem and the Temple of Solomon
IT WAS called “the perfection of prettiness” and “the town of the grand King.” (Ps 48:2; 50:2; La 2:15) Jerusalem was the capital of God’s nation. (Ps 76:2) After David seized the city from the Jebusites and made it his capital, it was called “the City of David,” or just “Zion.”—2Sa 5:7.
While not enjoying a very strategic location, Jerusalem gained fame because God placed his name there. (De 26:2) It was the religious and administrative center of the nation.
Jerusalem is at an altitude of 2,500 feet (750 m) in the central mountains of Judea. The Bible refers to its “loftiness” and to worshipers as ‘going up’ to reach it. (Ps 48:2; 122:3, 4) The ancient city was surrounded by valleys: the Valley of Hinnom on the west and south and the torrent valley of Kidron on the east. (2Ki 23:10; Jer 31:40) The spring of Gihona in the Kidron Valley and En-rogel to the south supplied fresh water, especially vital during enemy attacks.—2Sa 17:17.
On the diagram on page 21, the City of David is in red. During the reigns of David and Solomon, the city extended northward to include Ophel (green) and Mount Moriah (blue). (2Sa 5:7-9; 24:16-25) Solomon built a magnificent temple to Jehovah on that higher spur. Imagine throngs of worshipers streaming up to “the mountain of Jehovah” for the annual festivals! (Zec 8:3) The road network represented on page 17 facilitated such travel.
Solomon’s temple, decorated with gold and precious stones, was one of the costliest buildings ever constructed. Significantly, Jehovah provided its architectural plan. As you see from the painting, the temple was flanked by large courtyards and administrative buildings. Its details are worthy of your study.—1Ki 6:1–7:51; 1Ch 28:11-19; Heb 9:23, 24.
[Footnote]
a King Hezekiah stopped up this spring and built a tunnel to a pool on the west side.—2Ch 32:4, 30.
[Diagram/Picture on page 21]
(For fully formatted text, see publication)
Jerusalem/Solomon’s Temple
TEMPLE AREA IN SOLOMON’S TIME
Temple Features
1. Most Holy
2. Holy
3. Porch
4. Boaz
5. Jachin
6. Copper Altar
7. Molten Sea
8. Carriages
9. Side Chambers
10. Dining Rooms
11. Inner Courtyard
TEMPLE AREA
Mt. Moriah
Dining Rooms
Carriages
Side Chambers
Most Holy
Boaz
Holy
Porch
Copper Altar
Jachin
Inner Courtyard
Carriages
Molten Sea
Ophel
Public Square?
Water Gate?
CITY OF DAVID
Mt. Zion
David’s Palace
Fountain Gate
Manasseh’s Wall?
Tower of Hananel
Tower of Meah
Sheep Gate
Gate of the Guard
Inspection Gate
Horse Gate
KIDRON VALLEY
Lower Wall?
Gihon
Later water tunnel
TYROPOEON VALLEY
Gate of the Ash-heaps (Potsherds) (Dung)
En-rogel
Valley Gate
VALLEY OF HINNOM
Corner Gate
Tower of the Bake Ovens
Broad Wall
Gate of Ephraim
Public Square
Gate of the Old City
Early North Wall
SECOND QUARTER
Fish Gate
[Picture]
Ophel
House of Pharaoh’s Daughter
Solomon’s Palace
House of the Forest of Lebanon
Porch of Pillars
Porch of the Throne
Mt. Moriah
Great Courtyard
Temple
[Picture on page 20]
Foreground area is where “the City of David” was located. The temple was in the flat area (background)
[Picture on page 20]
Computer rendering of the ancient “City of David” and the temple of Solomon
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Empires Attack the Promised Land“See the Good Land”
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Empires Attack the Promised Land
SAMARIA, capital of the northern kingdom of Israel, was taken by the Assyrians in 740 B.C.E. The Israelites thus fell into the hands of a cruel empire. Assyria was located at the northern end of the Mesopotamian plains, near the Tigris, one of the mighty rivers of the Fertile Crescent. Nimrod had founded Assyria’s main cities, Nineveh and Calah. (Ge 10:8-12) In the days of Shalmaneser III, Assyria expanded westward, into the well-watered and productive regions of Syria and northern Israel.
Under the King Tiglath-pileser III (Pul), named in the Bible, Assyria began to oppress Israel. His military campaign also affected Judah to the south. (2Ki 15:19; 16:5-18) In time, the flooding “waters” of Assyria spread into Judah, eventually reaching its capital, Jerusalem.—Isa 8:5-8.
Assyrian King Sennacherib invaded Judah in 732 B.C.E. (2Ki 18:13, 14) He sacked 46 Judean cities, including Lachish, strategically situated in the Shephelah. As the map shows, this put his armies behind Jerusalem, thus encircling Judah’s capital. In his annals, Sennacherib boasted that he kept Hezekiah “like a bird in a cage,” but Assyrian records avoid mentioning the destruction of Sennacherib’s soldiers by God’s angel.—2Ki 18:17-36; 19:35-37.
The days of the Assyrian Empire were numbered. The Medes, centered on the rugged plateau of what is now Iran, began troubling what was left of the Assyrian army. This diverted Assyria’s attention from her western provinces, which also began to rebel. Meanwhile, the Babylonians were growing stronger, even capturing the city of Asshur. In 632 B.C.E., Nineveh—a “city of bloodshed”—fell to an alliance of Babylonians, Medes, and Scythians, a warlike people from north of the Black Sea. This fulfilled the prophecies of Nahum and Zephaniah.—Na 3:1; Zep 2:13.
Assyria’s last gasp came at Haran. Attacked by a determined force of Babylonians, the Assyrians tried to hold out until help from Egypt could arrive. But on his way north, Pharaoh Necho was blocked at Megiddo by the resistance of Judean King Josiah. (2Ki 23:29) When Necho finally reached Haran, it was too late—the Assyrian Empire had fallen.
Babylonian Empire
What city is brought to mind by the term “hanging gardens”? Babylon, the capital of the world power of that name and prophetically depicted as a winged lion. (Da 7:4) The city was well-known for its wealth, trade, and development of religion and astrology. The empire was centered in the marshy plains of southern Mesopotamia, between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. The city straddled the Euphrates, and its walls made it seem impregnable.
The Babylonians developed trade routes across the rocky desert of northern Arabia. At one point, King Nabonidus resided at Tema, leaving Belshazzar to rule in Babylon.
Babylon invaded Canaan three times. After Nebuchadnezzar routed the Egyptians at Carchemish in 625 B.C.E., the Babylonians pushed south to Hamath, where they again defeated the retreating Egyptians. The Babylonians then swept down the coast to the torrent valley of Egypt, destroying Ashkelon on the way. (2Ki 24:7; Jer 47:5-7) During this campaign, Judah became a vassal of Babylon.—2Ki 24:1.
King Jehoiakim of Judah rebelled in 618 B.C.E. Babylon then sent the armies of nearby nations against Judah, and Babylon’s own troops besieged and subjugated Jerusalem. Before long, by allying his kingdom with Egypt, King Zedekiah aroused the Babylonians to climactic fury against Judah. They invaded again and began to destroy the cities of Judah. (Jer 34:7) Finally, Nebuchadnezzar turned his army’s attention to Jerusalem, conquering it in 607 B.C.E.—2Ch 36:17-21; Jer 39:10.
[Map on page 23]
(For fully formatted text, see publication)
Babylonian/Assyrian Empires
Assyrian Empire
B4 Memphis (Noph)
B4 Zoan
B5 EGYPT
C2 CYPRUS (KITTIM)
C3 Sidon
C3 Tyre
C3 Megiddo
C3 Samaria
C4 Jerusalem
C4 Ashkelon
C4 Lachish
D2 Haran
D2 Carchemish
D2 Arpad
D2 Hamath
D3 Riblah
D3 SYRIA
D3 Damascus
E2 Gozan
E2 MESOPOTAMIA
F2 MINNI
F2 ASSYRIA
F2 Khorsabad
F2 Nineveh
F2 Calah
F2 Asshur
F3 BABYLONIA
F3 Babylon
F4 CHALDEA
F4 Erech
F4 Ur
G3 Shushan
G4 ELAM
Babylonian Empire
C3 Sidon
C3 Tyre
C3 Megiddo
C3 Samaria
C4 Jerusalem
C4 Ashkelon
C4 Lachish
D2 Haran
D2 Carchemish
D2 Arpad
D2 Hamath
D3 Riblah
D3 SYRIA
D3 Damascus
D5 Tema
E2 Gozan
E2 MESOPOTAMIA
E4 ARABIA
F2 MINNI
F2 ASSYRIA
F2 Khorsabad
F2 Nineveh
F2 Calah
F2 Asshur
F3 BABYLONIA
F3 Babylon
F4 CHALDEA
F4 Erech
F4 Ur
G3 Shushan
G4 ELAM
[Other locations]
G2 MEDIA
Main Roads (See publication)
[Bodies of water]
B3 Mediterranean Sea (Great Sea)
C5 Red Sea
H1 Caspian Sea
H5 Persian Gulf
[Rivers]
B5 Nile
E2 Euphrates
F3 Tigris
[Picture on page 22]
Tell Lachish
[Picture on page 22]
Model of ancient Megiddo
[Picture on page 23]
Concept of Babylon’s hanging gardens
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God’s People Return to Their Land“See the Good Land”
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God’s People Return to Their Land
TWO notable mountain ranges rim the plateau of modern Iran—the Elburz (south of the Caspian Sea) and the Zagros (southeast toward the Persian Gulf). They are broken by long, fertile valleys with tree-covered slopes. The valleys enjoy a temperate climate, but the higher, arid, windswept plains are frigid in winter. Nearby is the sparsely populated desert of the plateau. In this general region, east of Mesopotamia, the Medo-Persian Empire arose.
The Medes were centered on the northern part of the plateau, although they later spread into Armenia and Cilicia. The Persians, though, were centered on the southwestern part of the plateau, east of the Tigris Valley. Under Cyrus’ rule in the middle of the sixth century B.C.E., these two kingdoms united, forming the Medo-Persian World Power.
Cyrus captured Babylon in 539 B.C.E. His empire extended eastward to India. Westward, it came to include Egypt and what is now Turkey. Daniel fittingly described the Medo-Persian Empire as a rapacious “bear” that ‘ate much flesh.’ (Da 7:5) Cyrus established a humane, tolerant rule. He divided the empire into provinces. Each was ruled by a satrap, usually a Persian, but under him, a local ruler exercised some authority. The peoples of the empire were encouraged to retain their customs and religions.
In keeping with this policy, Cyrus allowed the Jews to return to restore true worship and to rebuild Jerusalem, as described by Ezra and Nehemiah. Do you think that this large body returned by the route Abraham had taken up the Euphrates toward Carchemish, or did they perhaps take the shorter route through Tadmor and Damascus? The Bible does not say. (See pages 6-7.) In time, Jews also settled in other parts of the empire, such as the Nile Delta and places farther south. A sizable Jewish population persisted in Babylon, likely explaining the apostle Peter’s visit there centuries later. (1Pe 5:13) Yes, the Medo-Persian Empire had a role in Jews’ being found in many locations during the succeeding Grecian and Roman empires.
After conquering Babylon, the Medo-Persians used the city, with its torrid summers, as an administrative center. Shushan, the former Elamite capital, was one of the royal cities. Later, that is where Persian King Ahasuerus (evidently Xerxes I) made Esther his queen and thwarted a plot to exterminate God’s people across the vast empire. Two other Medo-Persian capitals were Ecbatana (situated at an elevation of over 6,200 feet (1,900 m), with delightful summers) and Pasargadae (at the same altitude, about 400 miles (650 km) to the southeast).
How did this world power end? At the height of its power, Medo-Persia responded to uprisings fomented by Greeks at the northwestern border. Greece was then divided into warring city-states, but these cooperated to defeat Persian forces in decisive battles at Marathon and Salamis. This set the stage for the supremacy of a unified Greece over Medo-Persia.
[Map on page 24]
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Medo-Persian Empire
A2 MACEDONIA
A2 THRACE
A4 Cyrene
A4 LIBYA
B2 Byzantium
B2 LYDIA
B3 Sardis
B4 Memphis (Noph)
B4 EGYPT
B5 No-amon (Thebes)
B5 Syene
C3 CILICIA
C3 Tarsus
C3 Issus
C3 Carchemish
C3 Tadmor
C3 SYRIA
C3 Sidon
C3 Damascus
C3 Tyre
C4 Jerusalem
D2 Phasis
D2 ARMENIA
D3 ASSYRIA
D3 Nineveh
D4 Babylon
E3 MEDIA
E3 Ecbatana (Achmetha)
E3 HYRCANIA
E4 Shushan (Susa)
E4 ELAM
E4 Pasargadae
E4 Persepolis
E4 PERSIA
F3 PARTHIA
F4 DRANGIANA
G2 Maracanda (Samarkand)
G3 SOGDIANA
G3 BACTRIA
G3 ARIA
G4 ARACHOSIA
G4 GEDROSIA
H5 INDIA
[Other locations]
A2 GREECE
A3 Marathon
A3 Athens
A3 Salamis
C1 SCYTHIA
C4 Elath (Eloth)
C4 Tema
D4 ARABIA
[Mountains]
E3 ELBURZ MTS.
E4 ZAGROS MTS.
[Bodies of water]
B3 Mediterranean Sea (Great Sea)
C2 Black Sea
C5 Red Sea
E2 Caspian Sea
E4 Persian Gulf
[Rivers]
B4 Nile
C3 Euphrates
D3 Tigris
H4 Indus
[Picture on page 24]
Cyrus’ troops had to cross the Zagros Mountains to reach Babylon
[Picture on page 25]
Top: The Gate of All Nations, at Persepolis
[Picture on page 25]
Inset: Cyrus’ tomb, at Pasargadae
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Greece and Rome Influence the Jews“See the Good Land”
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Greece and Rome Influence the Jews
THE expansion of what became the Grecian Empire began in the mountains of Macedonia. There, in his early 20’s, Alexander began to look eastward. In 334 B.C.E., he led his army across the Hellespont (Dardanelles), separating Europe and Asia. Like a dashing “leopard,” the Greeks under Alexander embarked on a series of rapid conquests. (Da 7:6) Alexander prevailed over the Persians near Troy, on the plains of the Granicus River, and defeated them decisively at Issus.
The Greeks invaded Syria and Phoenicia, taking Tyre after a seven-month siege. (Eze 26:4, 12) Sparing Jerusalem, Alexander conquered Gaza. (Zec 9:5) Once in Egypt, he founded Alexandria, which became a center of commerce and learning. Recrossing the Promised Land, he again routed the Persians, at Gaugamela, near the ruins of Nineveh.
Alexander turned south to take Babylon, Shushan (Susa), and Persepolis—Persian administrative centers. He then sped through the Persian domain, reaching the Indus River in what is now Pakistan. In just eight years, Alexander conquered most of the then-known world. But in 323 B.C.E., when 32 years old, he died of malaria at Babylon.—Da 8:8.
Hellenic influences in the Promised Land were strong. Some veterans of Alexander’s army settled in the area. By the first century, there was a league of Greek-speaking cities (Decapolis). (Mt 4:25; Mr 7:31) The Hebrew Scriptures had become available in Greek. Koine (common Greek) served as an international language for spreading Christian teachings.
Roman Empire
What was happening in the west? Rome—previously a group of villages on the Tiber River—grew in importance. Eventually, Rome’s efficient war machine and centralized political power enabled her to devour the areas controlled by Alexander’s four generals. By 30 B.C.E., the Roman Empire was clearly dominant, an early manifestation of the ‘fearsome beast’ Daniel saw in vision.—Da 7:7.
The Roman Empire stretched from Britain down to North Africa, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Persian Gulf. Because the empire surrounded the Mediterranean, the Romans called it Mare Nostrum (Our Sea).
Rome too influenced the Jews, whose land was part of the Roman Empire. (Mt 8:5-13; Ac 10:1, 2) Jesus was baptized and died during Emperor Tiberius’ reign. Some Roman rulers savagely persecuted Christians but could not defeat true worship. After 13 centuries, the empire succumbed to attacks by Germanic tribes in the north and nomadic invaders in the east.
[Map on page 26]
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Grecian Empire
After Alexander, four of his generals controlled the vast empire
▪ Cassander
▫ Lysimachus
○ Ptolemy I
• Seleucus I
A2 ▪ GREECE
A2 ▪ Athens
A2 ▪ ACHAIA
A3 ○ Cyrene
A3 ○ LIBYA
B2 ▫ Byzantium
B3 ○ CYPRUS
B4 ○ No-amon (Thebes)
C3 Palmyra (Tadmor)
C3 ○ Gerasa
C3 ○ Philadelphia
C3 ○ Jerusalem
C5 ○ Syene
G2 • Alexandria Margiana
Alexander’s Route
A2 ▪ MACEDONIA
A2 ▪ Pella
A2 ▫ THRACE
B2 ▫ Troy
B2 ▫ Sardis
B2 ▫ Ephesus
B2 ▫ Gordium
C2 ▫ Ankara
C3 • Tarsus
C3 • Issus
C3 • Antioch (of Syria)
C3 ○ Tyre
C4 ○ Gaza
B4 ○ EGYPT
B4 ○ Memphis
B4 ○ Alexandria
A4 ○ Oasis of Siwa
B4 ○ Memphis
C4 ○ Gaza
C3 ○ Tyre
C3 ○ Damascus
C3 • Aleppo
D3 • Nisibis
D3 • Gaugamela
D3 • Babylon
E3 • Shushan
E4 • PERSIA
E4 • Persepolis
E4 • Pasargadae
E3 • MEDIA
E3 • Ecbatana
E3 • Rhagae
E3 • Hecatompylos
F3 • PARTHIA
G3 • ARIA
G3 • Alexandria Areion
G3 • Alexandria Prophthasia
F4 • DRANGIANA
G4 • ARACHOSIA
G4 • Alexandria Arachosiorum
H3 • Kabul
G3 • Drapsaca
H3 • Alexandria Oxiana
G3 • Drapsaca
G3 • BACTRIA
G3 • Bactra
G2 • Derbent
G2 • SOGDIANA
G2 • Maracanda
G2 • Bukhara
G2 • Maracanda
H2 • Alexandria Eschate
G2 • Maracanda
G2 • Derbent
G3 • Bactra
G3 • BACTRIA
G3 • Drapsaca
H3 • Kabul
H3 • Taxila
H5 • INDIA
H4 • Alexandria
G4 • GEDROSIA
F4 • Pura
E4 • PERSIA
F4 • Alexandria
F4 • CARMANIA
E4 • Pasargadae
E4 • Persepolis
E3 • Shushan
D3 • Babylon
[Other locations]
A3 CRETE
D4 ARABIA
[Bodies of water]
B3 Mediterranean Sea
C5 Red Sea
E4 Persian Gulf
G5 Arabian Sea
[Rivers]
B4 Nile
D3 Euphrates
D3 Tigris
G4 Indus
[Map on page 27]
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Roman Empire
A1 BRITAIN
A3 SPAIN
B1 GERMANIA
B2 GAUL
B2 ITALY
B2 Rome
B3 Carthage
C2 ILLYRICUM
C3 GREECE
C3 Actium
C3 Cyrene
D2 Byzantium (Constantinople)
D3 ASIA MINOR
D3 Ephesus
D3 Aleppo
D3 Antioch (of Syria)
D3 Damascus
D3 Gerasa (Jarash)
D3 Jerusalem
D3 Alexandria
D4 EGYPT
[Bodies of water]
A2 Atlantic Ocean
C3 Mediterranean Sea
D2 Black Sea
D4 Red Sea
[Picture on page 26]
Upon rebuilding Rabbah, Ptolemy II named it Philadelphia. Ruins of a large Roman theater remain
[Picture on page 27]
Decapolis city of Gerasa (Jarash)
[Picture on page 27]
Roman roads, such as this one near Aleppo, penetrated Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. Christians traveled these roads to spread Bible truth
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Jesus “in the Country of the Jews”“See the Good Land”
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Jesus “in the Country of the Jews”
IN WITNESSING to Cornelius, the apostle Peter mentioned what Jesus did “in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem.” (Ac 10:39) What areas do you think were included in Jesus’ history-making ministry?
“The country of the Jews” included Judea, where Jesus did some of God’s work. (Lu 4:44) After being baptized, Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness of Judah (or, Judea), a rather arid and desolate region frequented by rebels and bandits. (Lu 10:30) Later, Jesus was traveling northward from Judea when he witnessed to a Samaritan woman near Sychar.—Joh 4:3-7.
A review of the Gospels shows that Jesus concentrated on Galilee. Though he went south to Jerusalem for annual festivals, he spent most of the first two years of his ministry in the northern part of the Promised Land. (Joh 7:2-10; 10:22, 23) For example, he outlined many notable teachings and performed impressive miracles while near or on the Sea of Galilee. Recall that he calmed its stormy waters and even walked on it. He preached from boats to crowds on the pebbly shores of that sea. His early, close followers were from fishing and farming communities nearby.—Mr 3:7-12; 4:35-41; Lu 5:1-11; Joh 6:16-21; 21:1-19.
The base for Jesus’ Galilean ministry was shoreside Capernaum, “his own city.” (Mt 9:1) He was on a hillside not far away when he gave his famous Sermon on the Mount. On occasion, he went by boat from the Capernaum area to Magadan, Bethsaida, or nearby spots.
Note that Jesus’ “own city” was not very far from Nazareth, where he grew up; from Cana, where he turned water into wine; from Nain, where he raised the son of a widow; and from Bethsaida, where he miraculously fed 5,000 men and restored sight to a blind man.
After the Passover of 32 C.E., Jesus went north toward Tyre and Sidon, Phoenician ports. Then he extended his ministry to some of the ten Hellenized cities called the Decapolis. Jesus was near Caesarea Philippi (F2) when Peter acknowledged him as the Messiah, and the transfiguration soon followed, perhaps on Mount Hermon. Later, Jesus preached in the region of Perea, across the Jordan.—Mr 7:24-37; 8:27–9:2; 10:1; Lu 13:22, 33.
Jesus spent his last week on earth with his disciples in and around Jerusalem, “the city of the great King.” (Mt 5:35) You can find nearby places that you have read about in the Gospels, such as Emmaus, Bethany, Bethphage, and Bethlehem.—Lu 2:4; 19:29; 24:13; see “Jerusalem Area,” inset on page 18.
[Map on page 29]
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Promised Land (Jesus’ time)
The Land in Jesus’ Day
Cities of the Decapolis
E5 Hippo(s)
E6 Pella
E6 Scythopolis
F5 Gadara
F7 Gerasa
G5 Dion
G9 Philadelphia
H1 Damascus
H4 Raphana
I5 Canatha
Main Roads (See publication)
Common Route Between Galilee and Jerusalem (See publication)
Alternate Route Between Galilee and Jerusalem, Through Perea (See publication)
A11 Gaza
B6 Caesarea
B8 Joppa
B9 Lydda
B12 Beer-sheba
C4 Ptolemais
C8 SAMARIA
C8 Antipatris
C8 Arimathea
C9 Emmaus
C10 JUDEA
C11 Hebron
C12 IDUMEA
D1 Sidon
D2 Tyre
D3 PHOENICIA
D4 GALILEE
D4 Cana
D5 Sepphoris
D5 Nazareth
D5 Nain
D7 Samaria
D7 Sychar
D9 Ephraim
D9 Bethphage
D9 Jerusalem
D9 Bethany
D10 Bethlehem
D10 Herodium
D10 WILDERNESS OF JUDAH
D12 Masada
E4 Chorazin
E4 Bethsaida
E4 Capernaum
E4 Magadan
E5 Tiberias
E5 Hippo(s)
E6 Bethany? (across the Jordan)
E6 Scythopolis
E6 Pella
E6 Salim
E6 Aenon
E9 Jericho
F1 ABILENE
F2 Caesarea Philippi
F4 Gamala
F5 Abila?
F5 Gadara
F7 PEREA
F7 Gerasa
G3 ITURAEA
G5 Dion
G6 DECAPOLIS
G9 Philadelphia
H1 Damascus
H3 TRACHONITIS
H4 Raphana
H12 ARABIA
I5 Canatha
[Mountains]
D7 Mt. Ebal
D7 Mt. Gerizim
F2 Mt. Hermon
[Bodies of water]
B6 Mediterranean Sea (Great Sea)
E4 Sea of Galilee
E10 Salt Sea (Dead Sea)
[Rivers]
E7 Jordan River
[Springs and wells]
D7 Jacob’s Fountain
[Picture on page 28]
Sea of Galilee. Capernaum is in the left foreground. View is southwest across the Plain of Gennesaret
[Picture on page 28]
Samaritans worshiped on Mount Gerizim. Mount Ebal is in the background
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Jerusalem and the Temple Jesus Knew“See the Good Land”
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Jerusalem and the Temple Jesus Knew
SOON after Jesus’ birth, Joseph and Mary took him to the city where his heavenly Father had placed His name—Jerusalem. (Lu 2:22-39) At age 12, Jesus was again there, for the Passover. He amazed the teachers at the temple with his understanding. (Lu 2:41-51) Work on that temple complex, part of Herod the Great’s building program, went on for over “forty-six years.”—Joh 2:20.
During his ministry, Jesus was present at festivals in Jerusalem, where he often taught crowds. He twice drove out money changers and merchants from the temple courtyard.—Mt 21:12; Joh 2:13-16.
North of the temple, at the pool of Bethzatha, Jesus healed a man who had suffered for 38 years. God’s Son also gave sight to a blind man, telling him to wash in the pool of Siloam in the southern part of the city.—Joh 5:1-15; 9:1, 7, 11.
Jesus often visited his friends Lazarus, Mary, and Martha at Bethany, “about two miles” east of Jerusalem. (Joh 11:1, 18, ftn.; 12:1-11; Lu 10:38-42; 19:29; see “Jerusalem Area,” page 18.) A few days before his death, Jesus approached Jerusalem by way of the Mount of Olives. Picture him stopping to look west at the city and weeping over it. (Lu 19:37-44) His view would have been similar to what you see at the top of the next page. He then entered Jerusalem on the colt of an ass, likely using one of the city’s eastern gates. Throngs hailed him as Israel’s future King.—Mt 21:9-12.
Important events preceding Jesus’ death occurred at places in or near Jerusalem: the garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed; the Sanhedrin hall; the house of Caiaphas; the palace of Governor Pilate and, eventually, Golgotha.—Mr 14:32, 53–15:1, 16, 22; Joh 18:1, 13, 24, 28.
After his resurrection, Jesus appeared in and around Jerusalem. (Lu 24:1-49) Then he ascended to heaven from the Mount of Olives.—Ac 1:6-12.
[Diagram on page 31]
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Jerusalem/Herod’s Temple
Temple Features
1. Most Holy
2. Holy
3. Altar of Burnt Offering
4. Molten Sea
5. Court of Priests
6. Court of Israel
7. Court of Women
8. Court of Gentiles
9. Barrier (Soreg)
10. Royal Colonnade
11. Solomon’s Colonnade
TEMPLE
Gate
Court of Priests
Gate
Most Holy
Altar of Burnt Offering
Holy
Court of Israel
Court of Women
Molten Sea
Gate
Solomon’s Colonnade
Barrier (Soreg)
Court of Gentiles
Gate
Royal Colonnade
Gates
Tower of Antonia
Bridge
Sanhedrin Hall?
TYROPOEON VALLEY
Pool of Siloam
Aqueduct
House of Caiaphas?
Governor’s Palace
Golgotha?
Golgotha?
Pool of Bethzatha
Garden of Gethsemane?
MOUNT OF OLIVES
KIDRON VALLEY
Spring of Gihon
En-rogel
VALLEY OF HINNOM (GEHENNA)
[Pictures on page 30]
View to the east across modern Jerusalem: (A) temple area, (B) garden of Gethsemane, (C) Mount of Olives, (D) wilderness of Judah, (E) Dead Sea
[Picture on page 31]
View to the west from the Mount of Olives in Jesus’ day
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Christianity Spreads Abroad“See the Good Land”
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Christianity Spreads Abroad
ON THE Mount of Olives near Bethany, Jesus commissioned a preaching work that would shape world history. It was to start about two miles to the west—at Jerusalem. The message would be spread to nearby Judea and Samaria, eventually reaching “the most distant part of the earth.”—Ac 1:4, 8, 12.
Not long after Jesus said those words, the Festival of Pentecost drew Jews and proselytes from all over the Roman Empire, from regions indicated on the map below. The apostle Peter’s preaching to them that day opened the way for a rapid spread of Christianity.—Ac 2:9-11.
Persecution in Jerusalem soon scattered Christ’s followers. Peter and John helped Samaritans to hear and embrace the good news. (Ac 8:1, 4, 14-16) After Philip witnessed to an Ethiopian on the desert road leading “from Jerusalem to Gaza,” Christianity spread into Africa. (Ac 8:26-39) About the same time, the message bore fruit in Lydda, which is on the Plain of Sharon, and at the port of Joppa. (Ac 9:35, 42) From there Peter went to Caesarea and assisted the Roman officer Cornelius, his relatives, and his friends to become spirit-anointed Christians.—Ac 10:1-48.
Paul, a former persecutor, became the apostle to the nations. He traveled overland and by ship during three missionary trips and a voyage to Rome. The apostle and others spread the good news to numerous centers of the Roman Empire. Paul desired to reach Spain (See page 2.), and Peter served as far east as Babylon. (1Pe 5:13) Truly, under Christ’s active leadership, his followers spread Christianity abroad. By 60/61 C.E., ‘the good news was preached in all creation under heaven.’ (Col 1:6, 23) Since then, this good news has literally reached “the most distant part of the earth.”
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