Damascus Regions A1 A2 B1 D1

Regional Unit A1: Mt. Hermon & Golan

A1.A Land Still to Posess Josh. 13:1.5
A1.B The wars of Ahab against Aram; Aphek & Ramoth-gilead. 1 Kgs. 20:1-43 1 Kgs. 22:2-40 2 Chron. 18
A1.C Expansion of northern Kingdom; Jehoash & Jeroboam II. 2 Kgs. 13:10-25 2 Kgs. 14:23-29 2 Kgs. 15:8-12 AmosHosea
A1.D Declaration of Jesus as the Christ and Mt of Transfiguration Mt. 16:13-17:7 Mk. 8:27-29

Regional Unit A2: Upper Jordan Valley

A2.A Tribe of Dan relocates to this region Josh. 19:47 Judg. 17-18
A2.B Ben-Hadad of Aram Conquores the Northern Approaches to Israel 1 Kgs. 15:16-22
A2.C Assyrian campaign in Galilee; Tiglath-Pileser III 2 Kgs. 15:27-30 1 Chron. 5:26
A2.D Jeroboam II Restores Israels Border fulfilling Jonah’s Prophesy 2 Kgs 14:25-28

Regional Unit B1: Sea of Galilee

B1. A Jesus of Nazareth; ministry around the Sea of Galilee.
Jesus relocates his ministry to Capernahum (Matt. 4:2-7; Mk. 1:21-33; Lk. 4:31-38; Jn. 2:12); Peter, Andrew, James and
other apostles were called by Jesus to be “fishers of men” (Matt. 4:18; Mark 1:16-20, 2:13-14; Luke 5:1-11); Jesus
teaches the multitudes from a boat (Mark 3:7-12; Luke 5:1-3);The Sea of Galilee yielded a “large number of fish” (Luke
5:4-11; John 21:6-8); Jesus calms the storm on the Sea of Galilee. (Matt. 8:23-27; Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:22-25); Jesus
walks on water (Matt. 14:22-23; Mark 6:45-52; John 6:16-21; ); Jesus teaches many parables by the Sea of Galilee (Matt.
12:1-52; Mark 4:1-34; Luke 8:4-18); Jesus heals the multitudes around Galilee (Matt. 15:29-31; Mark 1:29-45 Luke 4:38-
44); Jesus feeds the multitudes around Galilee (Matt. 16:13-21; Mk. 6:30-44) Jesus ordains the Twelve Apostles near the
Sea of Galilee (Mark 3:7, 13-19); Jesus appears in Galilee after the resurrection (Mark 14:28, 16:7; John 21:1-23)
B1. B First Jewish Revolt; Vespasian in Galilee (War III 443-542 / III ix. 7-x. 10; War III 506-521 / III x. 7-8)

Regional Unit D1 Jezreel

D1.A War of Deborah; Israelite victory in the north Judg. 4-5 (cf. Ps. 83:9-10) Josh. 12:19-23
D1.B War of Gideon Judges 6-8
D1.C Ahab and Jezabel take Naboths Vinyard by Murder and Eminent Domain 1Kgs. 21
D1.D House of Jehu; death of Jezebel; and the Omride Dynasty 2 Kgs. 8:28—10:31; 2 Chron. 22:1-9; 1 Kgs. 21

Regional Unit A1: Mt. Hermon & Golan

Mount Hermon is 24 miles north of the Sea of Galilee. It stands as the highest peek in the country, (9,230’) and the furthest
location north in the modern state of Israel (See A1-6-8,10,11). Scripture continually points to the beauty and bounty of Mt.
Hermon as a metaphore for spiritual heights and the flow of unity and its blessing (Psa. 42:6; 89:12; 133:3).

The Golan Heights were known as “Bashan” in biblical Israel (Deut. 3:13). This region extends from the base of Mt Hermon in
the north, to the Yarmuk Canyon to the south. The topography is primarily flat highlands with a series sharp valleys and ridges at
the foot of Hermon and the eastern edge of Galilee. The tribe of Manasseh conquered and occupied this territory in the O.T.
(Deut. 3:13-14). Rich soil and high flat plains provided a plush reputation for wheat, barley and cattle(Ps. 22:12; Amos 4:1 see
A1-4,12). Ridges and canyons along the western edge and base of Hermon provided terrain perfect for fortifications. The
landscape still bears witness to this fact from Gamala, the Masada of the north (war 4.1.1,10 see A1-1,2,14,15) Nimrud, the best
preserved crusader site in the Holy land (see A1-11,13) to Aphek and Tel Hippus by Galilee (1 Ki. 20:26-30f; 2 Ki. 13:14-19,25
see A1-3).

The Greek and Romans renamed the region “Gaulanitis” from one of its cities, Golan. Herod Phillip, the son of Herod the Great,
ruled here in the time of Christ (Mk. 6:17-20; Ant. XVII.8.1). In 1967 Israel took this terror from Syria and annexed it to their
boarders. International trade ran through this region north to south with the Kings Highway and Damascus road or east toward
the coast for shipping. Monarchs like Solomon, Ahab, Herod Phillip all asserted control over key cities to profit from the flow of
wealth and goods (l Kgs. 4:13; 22:3-37; II Kgs. 8:25; 9:14; see Amos 6:13). On this “Damascus” road, God appears to the
Apostle Paul in a vision (Acts 9:2-3; 22:5-6; and 26:12-13). The interesting fact is that the Rabbis in Paul’s time were teaching
that God only revealed himself physically inside the land of Israel. The fact that Christ appeared to him after the resurrection
outside of Jewish territory shows us God was beginning the process of the great commission. In order for his people to reach
beyond their boarders, God had to show them he already was. This is not the first this revelation of the Christ took place outside
of Israel. Jesus affirmed Peters confession of Jesus and Christ and was transfigured before Peter, James and John on Mt. Hermon
(Mt. 16:12-17; Mt. 17:1-9)

Regional Unit A2: Upper Jordan Valley

The upper Jordan valley is a small flat section of the Jordan rift valley 14 miles long and 4-6 miles wide. This is a continuation
of the largest fault line in the world running from Mesopotamia to northern Africa. It is surrounded by highlands on all sides
(See A2-5 and Vol. B Map 2-5). This natural feature served as a physical boundary to the territories for the tribes of Manassah
and Naphtali in the O.T. In the N.T. they divided the geographical reign of Herod Antipas (on the west, see region C1) and Herod
Phillip (on the east, see region A1). Herod Phillip was the first ruler in Israel to mint coins with an image on them. This may be
due to the fact that the majority of his subjects were Grecco-Roman in Gaulinitas and the Decapolis. This geo-political reality is
supported by Christ’s ministry in this region being primarily to the western Jewish edge of Galilee (Mt. 4:12-16; 10:5-6; 15:2-4).
Terrain through the upper Jordan valley is level making travel easy. The majority of Israel’s enemies entered the land through
this region (1 Kgs 15:20; 19:15; 2 Kgs. 15:29; Jer. 4:15; 8:16). The conquest lists of Ben Hadad and Tiglath Pileser III show
cities in consecutive travel on this road such as Ijon (A2-15), Dan (A2-13-14), Abel Beth Maacah (A2-16) and Hazor (A2-18-23).
This valley continues north into the Beqa Valley (Weeping, cf. Ps. 84:6). The second option is to take a branch of the road going
north east on what is known as the “Road to Damascus” (See region A-1 cf. Acts 9:2-3; 22:5-6; and 26:12-13). In this region
runs the “Upper Jordan” river (A2-3), fed by two of its main tributaries at Dan (A2-13,14) and Panias (A2-8-11).
At the southern end of this valley is an ancient flow of volcanic Basalt called the Rosh-Pina Sill. This feature, causes water build
up. The result is an upper pool called the Hula Basin and a marsh land thick, wet and full of wild life near Galilee (see, A2-7).
Here we find the mighty Canaanite city Hazor, where Joshua “totally destroyed them, not sparing anything that breathed, and he
burned up Hazor” (Josh. 11:11, see A2-18-23). The sentiment “From Dan to Beersheba” shows this as the north boundary city of
O.T. Israel (Judg. 20:1; 1 Sam. 3:20).

Regional Unit B1: Sea of Galilee

The Sea of Galilee is a fresh body of water 7 miles wide, 13 miles long and 150 feet deep (see B1-6,8,14,15) . The lake sits 690
feet below sea level surrounded by western and eastern slope 1200’ to 1500’ high (see B1-7,23). Two main plains served as
settlement points for fishing communities; Genesseret (see B1-5, 8, 17) abd Magdala (B1-17)Storms coming off the
Mediteranian sea or winds from the north can turn this placid lake into a turbulent tempest (B1-13-15, Matt. 8:23-27). Mendel
Nun, an expert on the Sea of Galilee highlights that when this cross winds hit this lake twelve foot waves can rise in a matter of
five min. This reality is seen in the disciples taking a night to row a few miles and fearing for their lives in the midst of a storm
(Lk. 8:22-25; Jn. 6:16-21) The explorer, George Adam Smith affirms that Galilee had “sudden storms for which the region is
notorious” (Smith, 285-86). The sea has several names. In the O.T. it was known as the “sea of Chinnoreth” (Josh. 12:3; 13:27).
Luke calls it the lake of Gennesaret (Lk. 5:1) while John addresses it as the “sea of Tiberius” (Jn. 6:1; 21: 1). Matthew and Mark
refer to it as the title we give it today, the “sea of Galilee” (Mt. 4:18; 15:29; Mk. 1:16; 7:31). Some have called it the “cradle of
Christianity” since the majority of Christ’s ministry and the birth of the church took place in this region. Capernahum becomes
his ministry center (B1-1 ; Matt. 4:2-7), Here Christ challenges his disciples to become fishers of men (Mark 1:16-20), delivers
the sermon on the Mt. (Matt. 5-7), performs miracles (; John 21:6-8; Matt. 15:29-31;Mk. 6:30-44;Matt. 14:22-23), and even
makes a post resurection appearance in this region (John 21:1-23).

Fishing is a significant livelihood of the region, even to this day (see, B1-9,11,14; Luke 5:4-11). The Gospels only mention
fishing taking place on the north and north western region of the sea. This literary preference supports a geographic reality.
Seven hot springs empty in the northern edge of the sea. The conditions provide ideal spawning for fish (see B1-10,17). Dr.
Wave Nunnaly notes that Liberal scholarship building off the work of others like Rudolf Bultmann, are convinced the gospels are
historically inaccurate. They assume the Gospels were written by Gentiles far removed from the location and time of the events.
The accuracy of the gospels demonstraight the account of an eyewitness intimately aquainted with the region, land and events
being written. This subtle accuracy sends a blatant correction to Bultmann and all liberals building off his world. If the writers
of the Gospels give accuracy to minor facts like in geography, how much more to the major themes of Christ.
Regional Unit D1: Jezreel

The Jezreel is a chief agricultrual region and primary intersection of the north. The name litterally means “El will sow” or “El
has sown”. This carries the physical dynamic of its fertility and agricultural use (See D1-21-D1-29). It also is know by the name
“Esdraelon”, its Greek title, and “Armageddo” or “Valley of Megiddo” highlighting the cities strategically location (Rev. 16:14-
21). The city Megiddo guards one of three entry points from the coastal highway (D1-9). This cities history dates well before
Israel occupation and has the evidence of over twenty five destructions. The University of Chicago escavated the city in the early
1900’s and discovered a Canaanite altar (D1-11), a grain silo from the Iron age (D1-10), and the water tunnel from the reign of
Ahab (D1- 12).

This flat agricultural region stretches 28 miles wide and seventeen miles high. It give access to the north west to the plain of
Acco through the kishon valley (Unit C2), the sea of Galilee via the Arbel pass to the north east (Unit B1), the Jordan to the east
by way of the Herod valley (Unit G1 & G2), the hills of Samaria south through the Dothan pass (Unit E2-5) and the way of the
sea or coastal highway through the carmel passes (Unit D2).

Many of the topographical features of the region are colored by biblical events and charecters. Mt. Tabor is where Deborah and
Barak gathered to meet the Canaanite league from Hazor (Judg. 4-5). On Mt. Gilboa (D1-3, D1:31), Saul and Jonathan met their
end ( Sam. 31:1-13; 2 Sam. 1:17-25). At the base of the mountain is the Spring of Herod (D1-34) where God selects Gideon’s
army and gathers them on Mt. Moreh (D1-2, D1-32) (Judg. 7). Here, in this region is the city of Jezreel and the vineyard of
Naboth that was taken by Ahab and Jezabel (1 Kgs. 21). At the foot of Moreh is the city Shunem (D1-2), where Elisha raises her
son from the dead (1 Kgs. 4:8-37). Across the valley is the Nazareth ridge where Christ was raised. In fact many of the miracles
he performed are reflective of the ones performed by Elijah and Elisha in this region (1 Kgs. 17:8-24 cf. Matt. 15:21-28; 2 Kgs.
4:8-37 cf. Lk. 7:11-16).