Old Testament: Geography

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The Old Testament > Places and Geography within Israel


This page should remain short enough to read in about fifteen minutes. The purpose of this page is to quickly provide the minimum amount of information necessary to become familiar with the most significant place names in Old Testament Israel.

Introduction

The Old Testament can be understood without knowing much more than Jerusalem, but a little familiarity with about a dozen place names will significantly enrich understanding of events at each location. These are listed generally from south to north.

Right click to open the online LDS Bible Map #1 and online LDS Bible Maps #3-4 while working through these notes.

Jerusalem and Vicinity

Jerusalem

Israel did not conquer Jerusalem until the seventh year of King David's reign. David promptly made Jerusalem his capitol. (2 Samuel 5:5-9). When Solomon built the temple, it was also at Jerusalem (CITE). When the kingdom was divided following Solomon's reign, the capitol of the Southern Kingdom of Judah remained in Jerusalem (CITE).

Jerusalem is also mentioned in the following passages prior to its conquest by the Israelites. Joshua 10:1-5, 23; 12:10; 15:8, 63; 18:28; Judges 1:7-8, 21; 19:10; 1 Sam 17:34 or 54; 2 Sam 5:5-14; 8:7; 9:13; 10:14; 11:1-31; 14:23, 28; 15:8-37; 16:3, 15; 17:20; 19:19-34; 20:2-7, 22; 24:8, 16; 1 Kings 2:11, 36-3:1, 15; 8:1 9:15, 19; 10:2, 26-27; 11:7, 29-42; 12:18-28; 14:21-25; 15:1-4, 10; 22:42; 2 Kings 8:17, 26; 9:28; 12:1, 17-18; 14:2; etc.

Bethlehem

Bethlehem was a small town located 5 miles south of Jerusalem (see Map #1 and Maps #3-4). Bethlehem was significant as:

Bethlehem also figured prominently in the "Bethlehem Trilogy," a name applied to the last two stories in Judges regarding the apostasy of tribes of Dan (Judg 17:7-10) and the destruction of Benjamin (Judg 19:1-2, 18) plus the story of David’s great grandmother Ruth (Ruth 1:1, 19, 22; 2:4; 4:11).

Bethlehem is also mentioned in the following passages: settled by Caleb's sons Salma (1 Chron 2:50-54); Ibzan of Bethlehem a judge in Israel (Judg 12:8-10); fortified by King Rehoboam (2 Chron 11:6); Bethlehemites among those returning from Babylon (Ezra 2:21; Neh 7:26).

Kirjath-Jearim

Located 6 miles west of Jerusalem on Maps 4, 6. On the border between Judah and Benjamin. After the Ark of the Covenant was returned by the Philistines, it was kept at Kirjath-Jearim for twenty years until moved by King David to Jerusalem.

Joshua 9:17; 15:9, 60; 18:14-15, 28; Judges 18:12; 1 Sam 6:21-7:2; 1 Chron 2:50-53; 13:5-6; 2 Chron 1:4; Neh 7:29.

Gibeah

Gibeah, also known as Gibeah of Saul or Gibeah of Benjamin, was a small town located 3 miles north of Jerusalem (see Map #4). Gibeah was significant as:

  • the town where Benjamites raped a concubine, which in turn led to the destruction of Benjamin
  • the hometown and capitol of King Saul

Gibeah is also mentioned in the following passages: Joshua 15:57; 18:28 allotment to Benjamin; 24:33; Judges 19:12-16; 20:4-43; same as Awarta in Joshua 24:33 where Eleazer son of Aaron is buried; 1 Sam 10:26-11:4; 13:2-16; 14:2-5, 16; 15:34; 22:6; 23:19; 26:1; 2 Sam 6:3-4; 21:6; 23:29; 1 Chron 11:31; 2 Chron 13:2.

Gilgal

May mean "circle of standing stones." Located barely north of Jericho where the Jordan River flows into the Dead Sea on Map 9.

Symbolically important. Here the Israelites camped on the first night after crossing the Jordan River into the promised land of Canaan and set up twelve stones as witnesses that the Lord had parted the river for them to cross. (Joshua 4:19; 5:10; 10).

Saul is made king at Gilgal, and in his day it is a sacred city. (1 Samuel 10:8; 11:14-15; 13:4, 15; 15:12-33). But some scholars think this is also the Gilgal by Bethel.

This is probably not the same Gilgal mentioned in Joshua 12:7 since it would not make sense for Israel to go back and conquer a place where it had previously encamped while conquering the large nearby city of Jericho. This is probably also not the same Gilgal that Elijah and Elisha later visit probably 8 miles north of Bethel. Scholars do not know if the Gilgal mentioned in Deuteronomy 11:29 is the same as any of these.

Deut 11:30; Joshua 4:19-5:10; 9:6; 10:6-15, 43; 14:6; 15:7; Judges 2:1; 3:19; 1 Sam 7:16; 10:8; 11:14-15; 13:4-15; 15:12, 21, 33; 2 Sam 19:15, 40; 2 Kings 2:1; 4:38; Neh 12:29.

Bethel

Previously known as Luz. Located 12 miles north of Jerusalem and about the same distance west of Jericho on Maps 1, 3-9. On the border between Benjamin and Ephraim. Bethel is one of the most sacred places in Israel.

Abraham built his first altar in Canaan at Bethel and then went back. (Genesis 12:8, 13:3). Here Jacob had his dream, God promises him the land of Canaan, and he sets up a pillar. (Genesis 28:19). Also Jacob covenant renewed and name change to Israel. (Genesis 35:__).

In the days of United Israel it was a sanctuary. (1 Samuel 7:16, 10:3).

When the Northern Kingdom split, Jeroboam I instituted calf worship, setting up golden calves at Bethel on his southern border with Israel (featuring non-Levite priests) and at Dan on his northern border. (1 Kings 12:29 or 25-33; 2 Kings 10:29).

Gen 12:8; 13:3; 28:19; 31:13; 35:1-16; Joshua 7:2; 8:9-17; 16:1-2; 18:13, 22; Judges 1:22-23; 4:4; 21:19; 1 Sam 7:16; 10:3; 13:2; 30:27; 1 Kings 12:29-13:32; 2 Kings 2:2-3, 23; 10:29; 17:28; 23:4-19; 1 Chron 7:28; 2 Chron 13:19; Ezra 2:28; Neh 7:32; 11:31.

Joshua 8:17 and 12:16 is a different Bethel in southern Judah.

Mizpah

Located 8 miles north of Jerusalem on Map 9.

Gen 31:48; Joshua 11:3, 8; 5:38; 18:26; Judges 10:19; 11:11-34; 20:1-3; 21:1-8; 1 Sam 7:5-16; 10:17; 22:3; 1 Kings 15:22; 2 Kings 25:23, 25; 2 Chron 16:6; Neh 3:7-19.

Mizpah of Benjamin is about 8 miles north of Jerusalem. This is where Israel gathered to destroy Benjamin in Judges. Also with Samuel after the ark was lost to the Philistines and again to anoint Saul as King (a Benjamite at the location where they had plotted to destroy Benjamin).

After Jeremiah released from Ramah by Babylonians, he went to Mizpah of Benjamin.

Mizpah in Gilead is where Jacob and Laban put pile of stones. Gen 31:49. May be the same Mizpah of Gilead where Jephthah of Judges lived. Mizpah in Gilead in Joshua may be different, at the foot of Mount Hermon. The heap of stones raised by Jacob and Laban (Gen. 31:49; Judges 10:17; 11; 20-21). Gad (Joshua 18:26).

Mizpah in Moah is a fortress where David took his parents for safety. 1 Samuel 22:3

Joshua 15:38 may also be a different place in Judah southwest of Jerusalem.

Ephraim Heartland

Shiloh

Located halfway between Bethel and Shechem, 10 miles from each, on Maps 1, 3-6, 9. In the hill country of Ephraim.

Tabernacle and ark kept here and is the religious center of Israel during Judges until ark lost (1 Sam 1:3). Joshua 22:9, 12; Judges 21:12-23; 1 Sam 1:24; 3:21; 4:3-4; 14:3; 1 Kgs 2:27; 14:2, 4. This is where people gathered for the major festivals and sacrifices, and Joshua assigned the lands of inheritance.

(Joshua 18:1; Judges 18:31). Gen 49:10; Joshua 18:1-10; 19:51; 21:2; 22:9-12; Judges 18:31; 21:12-21; 1 Sam 1-4; 14:3; 1 Kings 2:27; 14:1-4.

Shechem

Located west of the Jordan River halfway between the Dead Sea and the Sea of Galilee on Maps 1-9. In the heart of Ephraim at the foot of Mount Gerizim. Very old commercial city located on trade routes.

Visited by Abraham on his first visit to Canaan (Ge.n. 12:6). Jacob bought land here (Gen. 33:18; 35:4; 37:14; Acts 7:16). Ephraim (Joshua 17:7). Levite city and city of refuge (Joshua 20:7; 21:21; 1 Chron 6:67). Joshua addressed the people (Joshua 24:1). Bones of Joseph buried (Joshua 24:32). Rehoboam crowned here in hopes of pacifying North (1 Kings 12:1; 2 Chron. 10). Also Judges 8:31; 9:6, 46; 21:19; I Kgs 12:25; 1 Chron 7:28; Jer. 41:5). Abimelech.

Located in Manasseh, or the hill country of Ephraim, and is the first capitol of the Northern Kingdom. North of Bethel and Shiloh. May be the first place Abraham stopped on entering Canaan. Here revenge on those who raped Dinah by prince of Schechem area. Here Joshua gathered the Israelites to have them affirm loyalty to the Torah. Here Abimelech was crowned king. Joseph’s bones are buried here. Jacob’s well is nearby. It is at the foot of Mount Gerizim, on which Jotham makes his speech about Abimelech. After Abimelech destroyed it, rebuilt and probably the capitol of Ephraim. After Solomon’s death here Jeroboam made king of ten tribes and it was the Northern Kingdom capitol for a time. Capitol them moved to Tirzah and then to Samaria. Now Nablus in Palestine. Then not important until when Nehemiah casts out the priest who married Sanballat’s daughter, they go to Shechem. Then a main settlement of the Samaritans with their temple on Mount Gerizim.

Gen 33:18-34:26; 35:4; 37:12-14; Num 26:31; Joshua 17:2, 7; 20:7; 21:21; 24:1-32; Judges 8:31-9:57; 21:19; 1 Kings 12:1, 25; 1 Chron 6:67; 7:19, 28; 10:1.

Samaria

Located __ miles northwest of Shechem on Maps 1, 9 near modern Nablus. King Omri purchased this hill and built a new capitol for the Northern Kingdom of Israel. (1 Kgs 16:24; 2 Kgs 17:5-6). Samaria survived three sieges by Ben Hadad II of Syria before falling to Assyria. (1 Kgs 20, 2 Kgs 7).

1 Kings 13:32; 16:24-32; 18:2; 20:1-21:18; 22:10-51; 2 Kings 1:2-3; 2:25-3:6; 5:3; 6:19-25; 7:1, 18; 10:1-17, 35-36; 13:1-13; 14:14-23; 15:8-27; 17; 18; 21:13; 23:18-19; 2 Chron 18:2, 9; 22:9; 25:13, 24; 28:8-15; Ezra 4:10-17; Neh 4:2.

Outlying areas to the North, South, and East

Bersheeba

Dan is located at the far northern end of Israel, and Bersheeba is located in the south. Neither location had great importance, but the phrase was often used to describe the full extent of Israel. Is the other place where Jeroboam put a golden calf..

Jud 18 — Danites consequently migrated north to Laish, which they renamed Dan, well known as the far northern extreme of Israel “from Dan even to Beersheba”

1 Kgs 12:29; 2 Kgs 10:29 — one of two locations where Jeroboam put his two golden calves upon rebelling from Solomon’s son Rehoboam 1 Kgs 15:20,29; 2 Chr 16:4 — Laid waste by Ben Hadad

Bersheeba

Conquered by David. Many wells in the area, at least some dug by Abraham and Jacob. Southernmost settled area of Israel. Abraham’s pact with Abimelech (Gen. 26:23-33). Jacob had his dream at Shechem after leaving Ber Sheeba (28:10-15; 46:1-7). In area of Simeon and Judah. Elijah took refuge here after Jezenbel ordered him killed (1 Kgs 19:3). Samuel’s sons were judges here (1 Sam 8:2). Saul built a fort here for his campaign against the Amalekites (1 Sam 14:48; 15:2-9). Has at times been entirely abandoned. Today over 200,000. Did not extract a list of cites.

Gilead

Name given to all of Trans-Jordan

Jabesh-Gilead

Located just east of the Jordan River on Maps 5, 9. In Manasseh. Known primarily for its friendship toward the tribe of Benjamin and toward King Saul. Only town that did not join in destroying Benjamin. Saul’s kingship was cemented when he lifted the siege of Jabesh-Gilead. It informed on David to King Saul, and after Saul’s death removed his body from the wall of a Philistine city.

Judges 21:8-14; 1 Sam 11:1-10; 31:11-13; 2 Sam 2:4-5; 21:12; 1 Chron 10:11-12.

Bashan

Northern part of Gilead. Very fertile.

Footnotes


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