Biblical Geography: Northern Israel and Coastal Lebanon

by Felix Just, S.J., Ph.D.

Introduction:

Map of Israel in First CenturyWhen King Herod the Great died in 4 BC, his territory was split between three of his sons and one daughter. His son Herod Philip received control of the northeastern regions, ruling until AD 34 as "Tetrarch" over the territories of Iturea, Trachonitis, Gaulanitis, Auranitis, and Batanea. He made his capital at Caesarea Philippi, just east of ancient Dan, near one of the headwaters of the Jordan River. In some periods of the Old Testament, the tribe of Dan lived in this region.

Mount Hermon (9232 ft), on the northern tip of this region, is covered with snow much of the year, and thus is the source of much of the waters in these regions. It is mentioned 16 times in the Old Testament (Deut 3:8-9; 4:48; Josh 11:3; etc.); it is not named in the New Testament, although many scholars believe it is the "high mountain" where Jesus was transfigured (see Mark 9:2; Matt 17:1).

The Gospels also mention some non-Jewish regions and cities to the northwest of Galilee, the coastal regions of the Eastern Mediterranean Sea that were settled by the ancient Phoenicians; this area is sometimes called Syrophoenicia (today's Lebanon) and includes such ancient cities as Tyre and Sidon. People from Tyre and Sidon are said to come to Jesus at various times during his public ministry, and Jesus even goes into this region at least once. The Acts of the Apostles once also mentions the coastal harbor city of Ptolemais (later called Acre or Akko).

NT Texts:

The Tetrarchy of Herod Philip, including Caesarea Philippi, and possibly extending north to Mount Hermon:

The Syrophoenician coast, including Tyre, Sidon, and Ptolemais:

 

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