S - Women of the Holy Land: Walk Where They Walked

Isaiah 43:1 But now thus says the LORD, who created you O Jacob, and He who formed you O Israel; ‘fear not for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name, you are Mine.’

Safed One of Israel’s four holy cities. Located on the northern hills above the Sea of
Galilee. This may be the city referred to by Jesus when He spoke about “a city on a hill.” Tomb of Chana and her seven sons, who were martyred by the Greco-Romans during the time of the Hanukkah story in located in Chana. (For more information on burial customs, see Lazarus Tomb.)

Salt Sea See Dead Sea

Samaria See Sechem,Sychar. Thirty five miles north of Jerusalem. Area of Northern
Kingdom. King Omri built the “ivory house” (palace) here (1 Kings 22:39). Capital of King Ahab with Queen Jezebel. Area of Jezebel who worshipped other Gods and led her husband Ahab down the wrong path. Jezebel built altars to Baal here (1 Kin. 16:29-33) Elijah fled from her, and she “killed off the prophets of the Lord.” She would die and the dogs would lick up her blood (1 Kin. 18; 21:5-7, 23-26; 2 Kin. 9:30-37). Where Naaman was healed after taking the advice of his servant girl (2 Kin. 5). During time that Syria sieged Samaria the famine became so severe that women ate their children (2 Kin. 6:24-30).

Philip, the evangelist (who had four daughters who prophesized), preached in the area and healed many men and women. Great joy came to the city. Both men and women were baptized (Acts 8:1-8, 12).

Woman at the well at Samaria (John 4). Also see Sycar. Wells provided the water that sustained the life of the people, and cities sprung up close to the site of the well. The land was often dry and dusty, so the women would have gone to the well in the early, cool, morning hours to collect water for the family for an entire day. Very often the jars that they carried held 20-30 gallons of water. If only one woman lived in the family she was responsible for the water for the entire family and may have had to make several trips to the well for the day. If there were female servants in the family they would have had the task of the water collection.
What does all this tell us about the woman in John 4?

Sea of Galilee A freshwater lake about 14 miles in length and 8 miles wide. During the time of Jesus as many as 200,00 people may have lived in the communities that surrounded the Sea of Galilee as fishermen, traders and residents. Great multitudes followed Jesus. They were taught, healed and fed. Five thousand men, and additional women and children, were fed (Mt. 15:30-32).

The Sea of Galilee is surrounded by cities of Migdol (Magdala), Tiberias, Capernaum, Bathsaida, Gadara, Chorizon and others mentioned in Scripture. In ancient times at least sixteen bustling communities circled the lake Many women and families in these cities were influenced by Jesus.

The shoreline has dramatically changed over the years. During the 1989-1991 drought, ancient piers, promenades, shops, buildings, storehouses, watchtowers and other structures were discovered. (See Jesus Boat). Called Harp Lake by people of Israel because of its shape.

Seir, Mt. Seir, Land of Seir Area east of the Dead Sea. Families of Esau lived in this
area. (Gen. 14:6; 32:3; 33:14-16). (See Jordan and Petra).

Sepphoris Four miles northwest of Nazareth. A prosperous Roman city at the time of
Jesus with as many as 30,000 people. The capital of Herod and Herod Antipas. This may be the ‘city on a hill,’ that Jesus referred to in Matt. 5:14. Easily seen from the center of the Sea of Galilee. This may be the fortified city of Rakkath (Josh. 19:35). Traditional site of the birthplace of Mary the mother of Jesus. A major archaeological excavation site. Famous mosaic, “Mona Lisa of the Galilee” was unearthed here. Ongoing archaeological excavations.

Shechem City of importance as the military, political and religious headquarters of the
twelve tribes prior to the establishment of Jerusalem as the capital. A good water supply, fertile plain, and the only major east-west road made it a wealthy and powerful city. Abraham stopped here as he entered Canaan from Haran and set up camp. Jacob buried the idols of the household (Gen. 35: 2-4).

Dinah went out to Shechem alone, and was defiled which led to the killing of all the men. Not only were the men killed, but the city was ruined, with stealing, plundering and taking captive the women and children (Gen. 30:21; 34:1ff; 46:15). Shechem was never again the great city that it had once been.

An unnamed woman dropped a millstone on the head of evil Abimelech, and saved the people (Judg. 9). It is believed that the village of Sychar (Sychem) in John 4, where the Samaritan woman gave Jesus a drink at Jacob’s well, is the area of Shechem. Ruins of a Roman city have been excavated. See Sychar.


Shiloh Twenty miles north of Jerusalem just east of the main north-south watershed
ridge route through central hill country. This was the first permanent site for the
tabernacle and ark of covenant (then moved to Nob). Men and women worshipped here. Capital city and worship center. Two hundred women were taken for wives of Benjamites (Judg. 19-21). Home of the ark of the covenant for over 300 years.

Here Hanna prayed and was told that she would conceive. The prophet Eli thought she was drunk (1 Sam. 1). Hanna gave her son, Samuel, to God at Shiloh at the age of three (Hebrew women did not wean their children early). She visited him each year bringing him a new coat(1 Sam. 1:17; 1 Sam 2:18-21; see Rachels Tomb). Read about Hannah in 1 Samuel 1:2, 5, 8-9, 13,15, 19-20, 22. 1 Sam. 2:1, 21.

The prophet Eli lived here with his evil sons Hophni and Phinehas(1 Sam 2:12-17,22; 2:34). Who and where was his wife in bringing up these two evil sons?
Wife of Phinehas died in childbirth when she heard that the ark of the covenant had been captured, and that her husband and father-in-law died. She named her son was Ichabod; ‘the glory is gone from Israel’ (1 Sam. 4:19-21).

Wives were provided for the Benjamites; and the women danced for joy in Shiloh (Judg. 21:19-25). Wife of Jeroboam attempted to trick Ahijah the prophet(1 Kin.14). Hannah had five children after Samuel (1 Samuel 2:21). See Ramah of Samuel and Rachel’s Tomb. See Hanna’s prayer (1 Sam. 1:9-11).

Shumem Edge of Plain of Esdraelon, 3 miles north of Jezreel. The prophet, Elisha
raised the Shunammite’s son from the dead after she showed him hospitality (2 Kin. 4:18ff). Home town of Abishag, the beautiful young Shunammite concubine of King David, who served as his nurse. She probably shared his bed to provide body heat to the aged man (1 Kin. 1:1-4; 13ff:2 Kin.17-22).

Sidon See Tyre.

Siloam Pool Reservoir at the southern end of the City of David.

Silwan – Modern day village. Part of the City of David in Biblical times (the very first ‘Jerusalem’) Just south of Temple Mount. Small hilltop parcel of land shaped like an elongated triangle. See “City of David.”

Sussita Aramaic name for Hippos. See Hippos.

Sodom and Gomorrah See Dead Sea.


Southern Extension of the Temple Mount. Massive Herodian addition to the Temple
Mount area which included 130 foot high retaining walls to increase the surface space of the temple level. The added surface measures almost 100 feet north to south, and 800 feet east to west. Along the southern edge of the extended space, Herod built a lavish royal portico (Jesus probably walked here). The parapet in the southwest corner was called the Place of Trumpeting, where the shofar, rams horn, was blown to call worshipers to the Temple. The corner parapet overlooking the Kidron valley at the southeastern corner of the Temple Mount was probably the spot called “the pinnacle of the Temple” where Satan temped Jesus (Matt 4:5; Luke 4:9). See Temple Mount and Straight Joint.

Southern Steps Archaeological remains of the steps that led into the Temple area. Jesus,
the disciples, and the men and women worshipers would have entered the
temple area over these steps. Near the steps were shops for purchasing the animals to be sacrificed. The Temple Choir would have sung from these steps. (See Southern Extension of Temple Mount)

St Peter of Galictu Site where Peter denied Jesus three times to the slave girl and crowd,
“Woman, I don’t know Him”(John 18:22; Luke 22:54ff; Mk. 14:66-69).). Jesus
was imprisoned in the house of the High Priest, Caiphas (Matt. 14:53-62). (See Caiphias House)

Succoth See Tel Ahsas.

Sychar, Well of Jesus met woman of Samaria, and stayed two days in the small village.
She told the people of the city, “Come and see a man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” Many men and women believed because of the words of the woman. The women recognized Jesus as the Christ(John 4:5-42). Jesus chose to disclose his identity as the Messiah to a woman first. In the vicinity of Shechem, possibly the modern day village of Askar. 1.5 km northeast of Jacobs well.

In ancient times wells were usually dug down into the ground with steps leading down to the water. In other cases a hole was dug, and a rock or wooden ledge above ground was built from which people could drop a rope and pail to get water. Jesus must have sat on one of these ledges as he spoke to the woman of Samaria. See Samaria.

Synagogue Not only a place of worship, but a community center for ancient Israel. Ten
men were required to organize a synagogue. In Acts 16 the story of Lydia and the women who met at the river indicates that Philippi may not have enough Jewish men to form a synagogue. Some synagogues were large enough to accommodate 1,000 people. Women and small children sat in a separated section from the men (usually in an area provided on the second floor).

Activities of the synagogue included worship, prayer, singing, teaching and the gathering of an offering to help the poor and needy. Animal sacrifices were not offered in the synagogue, only in the temple. The synagogue also served as a school and community center. Ruins of a ancient synagogue are seen in Capernaum.

Q and R - Women of the Holy Land: Walk Where They Walked

Isaiah 41:8-9 But you Israel are My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the descendants of Abraham My friend. You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called from its farthest regions, and said to you , ‘You are My servant, I have chosen you and have not cast you away.’”

Quamran, Khirbet Quamran Never mentioned in Scripture, but important to the transmission of Scripture to us today. North East side of Dead Sea. Nine miles south of Jericho, thirteen miles east of Jerusalem. Was home to the Essenes, an extreme sect of devout Jews that withdrew to desert area to live a communal life. Men never married once they joined the sect because they wanted to be ritually pure when the Messiah returned. Some scholars believe that if the men were married before they joined with the sect they could bring their wives, but their personal lives with their wifes was closely regulated.
The Essenes spent much of their time copying the Scripture by hand. When news came that Israel was invaded and that Jerusalem had fallen they hid their scrolls in caves for safety. This library, of 800 scrolls and fragments of scrolls, was found in 1947 and has been named the “Dead Sea Scrolls,” because of its close proximity to the Dead Sea. The complete book of Isaiah was found. One of the scrolls describes, in detail, the beauty of Sarah. Joshua 15:62 may refer to the area of Quamran.

The importance of the find of the scrolls at Quamran is that it proves that the Old Testament that we hold in our hand today is the same one that Jesus read. This is further evidence of the inspiration and accuracy of the Bible.

Qubeibeh Traditional site for Emmaus. Present day Arab village. Some scholars think
that one of the ‘two disciples on the road to Emmaus may have been a woman (wife) (Luke 24:13-32). The ruins of a Crusader era church stands over the traditional site of the house of Cleopas. Eastern edge of the Ajialon, Ayyalon Valley.

Isaiah 41: 17b-20 I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them. I will open rivers in desolate heights, and fountains in the midst of valleys; I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water. I will plant in the wilderness the cedar and the acacia tree, the myrtle and the oil tree; I will set in the desert the cypress tree and the pine, and the box tree together, that they may see and know, and consider and understand together, that the hand of the LORD has done this, and the Holy One of Israel has created it.

Rachel’s Tomb Outskirts of Bethlehem, south of Jerusalem(Gen. 35:16-19; 1 Sam.
10:2.). Probably the most frequently visited burial site in Israel. Why wasn’t Rachel buried with the other family members? A favorite site for prayers for Israel and the Jewish people during times of trouble. Jewish women have always had an affinity for Rachel, especially those who are barren, or who have waited many years for motherhood.

Childless women in the Bible: Sarah (Gen. 11:30), Rebekah (Gen. 25:21), Rachel (Gen. 29:31), Manoah’s unnamed wife (Judg. 13:2ff), Hannah (1 Sam.1:2), Michal (2 Sam. 6:23), and Shunammite woman (2 Kings 4:14).

Note that each of these barren women produced a child that had a great impact in the history of Israel. Of these mentioned, Michal was the only one who remained barren. The pressure for a family to have offspring often pushed the handmaiden or concubine into the arms of the husband. Infertility was considered the woman’s problem, never caused by the man. (For more information on burial customs, see Lazarus Tomb.)

Ramah of Benjamin Traditional site where Rachel died giving birth to her second son,
Benjamin. This may be the same town as Ramah of Samuel. Now called el-Ram.

Ramah of Samuel Biblical home town of Hannah, where Samuel was born. After being
barren for years, Hanna dedicated her son as a Nazarite. This vow, in itself, did not require Samuel to be separated from his parents, but Hannah literally gave up her son to God. Hannah weaned Samuel for three to five years before taking him to Eli (1 Sam. 1). Actual location is not determined. Samuel had four sons – there is no mention of his wife (1 Sam.8:1ff). A woman gave directions for Saul to find Samuel (1 Sam. 9:9-13) in this area, and this is the area where Deborah judged (Judg. 4:4-5). Ramathaim-zophim.

Ras el-Kharrubeh See Anatoth.

Note - if you have an interest in the women of the Holy Land be sure to see my other blogs: www.biblestudy4women.blogspot.com; www.biblestudy2women.blogspot.com.

P - Women of the Holy Land: Walk Where They Walked

Zechariah 12:2-3 (Says the LORD) “Behold I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples, when they lay siege against Judah and Jerusalem. And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut to pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it.”

Palestine Name for the Holy Land that came from the Hebrew word “pelishti.” Pelishti
were the Philistines of the Old Testament. With the Greek language the word was transformed into Greek word “Palaistine” which evolved into “Palestine”, where we get modern day “Palestinians.” See Philistine, cities.

Panias see Caesarea Philippi.

Paran Wilderness of south and south-west Canaan. Moses and Miriam passed through
this area. Abraham lived here with his wives and children. (Gen 21:21; Num. 12:16). At a well in the Paran wilderness, Hagar met with God a second time as she fled with Ishmael (Gen.2:19). See Negev. (See Sychar for more information on wells.)

Penuel Eastern side of Jordan River, opposite Beth Shean, in present day Jordan. Site on Jabbok River where Jacob wrestled with ‘a man,’ all night. Jacobs leg socket was dislocated and his name changed to Israel. Jacob named the place, ‘Penuel’ which means ‘the Face of God’ (Gen. 32). The people of Penuel treated Gideon with disrespect so in retaliation he tore down their tower and killed the men of the city, leaving many widows (Judg. 8).

Peter of Galictu see St. Peter of Galictu.

Petra Fifty miles southeast of the Dead Sea. A narrow ravine that opens to reveal a city
cut in the red sandstone. Part of the kingdom of the Edomites, populated by thousands of people. One of the world’s most spectacular archaeological sites. Recently made famous from the movie, “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” and the “Left Behind” book series by Tim LaHaye. Associated with Edom or Sela in the Scriptures (Judges 1:36; 2 Kin. 14:7). Primary civilization was the Nabateans. For centuries many men, women and children lived in safety in this ‘red rose’ ravine. Many think that this will be the site where Israel will flee for safety from the Antichrist in the end-days.

Philistine, cities The five major cities of the Old Testament Philistines were: Ashdod,
Ekron, Ashkelon, Gath and Gaza. See Palestine.

Pool of Siloam In the western side of the old City of David. Now Silwan. The pool was
a reservoir where the waters of the Gihon Springs were collected for the city water supply (Neh. 3:15). Women and families drew their water from this site. Jesus healed a blind man (John 7). See Birket el-Hamra and Gihon Springs.