M - Part I

Genesis 12:3 "And I will bless them that bless thee and curse him that curseth thee; and in thee shall all nations of the earth be blessed."


Machareus, Machaerus Eastern side of Dead Sea in Jordan (Moab), not far from Arnon
River. Ruins, El Mashnaka, of one of the major building projects of Herod the Great reveals what seems to be a castle dungeon. A fortress/palace. John the Baptist may have been imprisoned and beheaded here when Herodias asked for his head on a platter. According to Mosaic law marriage to a sister-in-law was forbidden and John preached against it. “Salome” is never named in the Scripture. The ancient writer, Josephus, states her name. An ancient coin has preserved the appearance of Salome along with that of her husband, Aristobulus. The coin bears the inscription, “ King Aristobulus-Queen Salome.” Salome must have been about nineteen years old when John was beheaded. Major building projects of Herod included the Temple, his Winter Palace in Jericho, Masada, Machareus, Heroidan and the fortress at Megiddo. (Matt. 14:3; Mark 6:17; Luke 3:19)

Machpelah, Cave lies on a slope opposite ruins of Biblical Hebron. Caves were often used as burial sites (Gen. 49:29-32). See Hebron.

Madaba, Eastern side of Jordan River in Jordan. Home of Ruth and Oprah. Famous mosaic of ancient Jerusalem at the time of the Roman Cardo was found in Madaba.

Magdala, Migdal At the time of Jesus this was a very prosperous fishing village also
known in Greek as Tarichaea, or ‘pickle town.’ Home town of Mary Magdalene
of whom Jesus cast out seven demons (Lu. 8:1-2). No where in Scripture does it ever state that Mary Magdalene was a prostitute. She is seen as a devoted follower of Jesus, and possible leader of the women. Magdala served as the base for the Zealots during the Great Jewish Revolt (66-70 ad.) Franciscans have unearthed a central square, streets and buildings. Midgal is the present day Arab village adjacent to the ruins of Madgala. (See Jesus Boat)

Mamre Main area of habitation for Abraham and his family. Famous for its oak trees.
Burial site. Now Ramet et-Chalil, two miles north of Hebron. (See Hebron).

Masada Site where Jews took their stand against the Roman military 66-73 A.D. Nine
hundred and sixty men, women and children chose death before surrender to the Romans. One woman and two children lived to tell the story. Major building projects of Herod included the Temple, his Winter Palace in Jericho, Masada, Machareus, Heroidan and the fortress at Megiddo.

Megiddo Major archaeological excavation site. Seventy foot mound with twenty layers
of ancient civilizations has been unearthed. Many different civilizations and people groups lived on this site. Many battles fought in this area. Where there were battles and armies, there were women. Deborah and Barak fought near this site (Judges 5). One of Solomon’s major building projects. Scripture indicates that the Battle of Armageddon will take place near Megiddo (Ezekiel 38; Rev. 16). With modern standards, women will be part of the army at Armageddon. Twelve miles south of Nazareth, twenty five miles from the Mediterranean Sea in the Jezreel Valley (1 Kin. 4:12; 19:15-19; 2 Kings 23:29).

Megiddo, along with Hazor, has recently been named a World Heritage site by UNESCO, as an honor that recognizes its cultural and historical importance. In 2005, at a prison near the ancient site of Megiddo, the ruins of a 4th century A.D. church were unearthed.

This may have been one of the earliest Christian places of worship in ancient Israel. Mosaics indicate the name of Jesus. Prison officials state that the ruins of the church are more important than the prison, and the prison will be moved. Israel hopes to develop this site into a tourist attraction.

Migdal See Magdala.

Mizpah of Gilead Jephthah killed his daughter after vowing to kill the
first person to come through the doors of his house, in exchange for God providing a victory over the Ammonites (Judg. 11:34ff). She asked to be allowed to live two months to wander in the mountains (Judg. 11:34-40). This site is Ramath-mizpeth (of the tribe of Gad), east of Jordan River ( Josh, 13:26).

Moab Land of Ruth and Orpha in Madaba. Read about Ruth and Orpha in the book of
Ruth (Matt. 1:5). Western side of the Jordan.

Moreh, Hill Area of Jezreel Valley. North side of Harods Springs. Biblical Shunem was
on the slopes of Mt. Moreh. Here Elijah raised the Shunammites son (2 Kin.4:8ff). Midianites who fought with Gideon camped on hill of Moreh (Judg. 7:1). Present day Jebel Dahy, North west of Mt. Gilboa.

Women in Scripture-Introducation Part I

As we begin our study of the women of the Holy Land, remember:

So many woman! Many unnamed and unnoticed! Women are seen everywhere. Every mention of “the people, children of Israel, the congregation, the crowd, the multitude, town, cities,” etc…all include women and children. Where the men went, there were women. Where there were armies or navies, there were women. Women were witness and participants to all the events in the Holy Land.

People traveled and settled where there were three key ingredients: water, food and protection (security). Women bore the children, managed the household and took care of the men. Women supported men and were their ‘helpers.’ Women ‘complemented’ the men.

Water means life, and where there was water, there was civilization, and women, children and families (pools, wells, oasis, lakes, wells, etc.)

Wherever children are mentioned, there are women. Jesus blessed the children and healed the adults. Even the adults had mothers, sisters and other female friends and relatives who looked on in surprise and belief, and sometimes shame.

For almost every well known man there are women surrounding him as mother, wife, sisters and friends. Kings had hundreds of unnamed concubines. The enemies of Jesus and Israel, had wives and daughters. Some apostles probably had wives that followed Jesus.

What affected the men, affected their wives and families: wars, peace, punishments, plagues, and promises. As wars were waged, cities destroyed, peoples taken captive, women and children were displaced, killed, taken captive.

Warfare meant the making of widows.

Women were plunder and the spoils of war(2 Chron 28:8).

The Holman Bible Dictionary states,“From the ancient world until now, society stands or falls according to its infrastructure, that is, the family, over which the wife and mother is to preside.” (Holman Bible Dictionary, Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville: 1998. pg 1679.)

(Part II tomorrow)