Ancient Israel: Its Area and Culture

Introduction
Part One: The Historical and Physical Geography of Ancient Israel
I. The Names of Ancient Israel
The Land of Israel
The Land of Canaan
The Promised Land
The Holy Land
Palestine
II. The Boundaries of Ancient Israel
Biblical Descriptions of the Borders
Genesis 15:18-21
Exodus 23:31
Numbers 34:1-15
Deuteronomy 9:8
Ezekiel 47:13-30
The Phrase From Dan to Beersheba
Judges 20:1
1 Samuel 3:20
2 Samuel 3:10
2 Samuel 17:11
2 Samuel 24:2
2 Samuel 24:15
1 Kings 4:25
1 Chronicles 21:2
2 Chronicles 30:5
III. The Geology and Minerology of Ancient Israel
Earthquakes and Seismic Activity
Metals and Mineral
Metals
Minerals
 Precious Stones
Adamant
Agates
Alabaster
Amber
Amethyst
Antimony
Caves and Caverns of Israel
IV. The Climatology and Meteorology of Ancient Israel
Climate of Ancient Israel
Storms
Rainfall and Seasons
Seedtime
Winter
Harvest
Summer
Temperatures
Weather of Ancient Israel
Precipitation
Rain
Dew
Snow
Winds
V. The Orology of Ancient Israel
West of the Jordan River
The Lebanon Range
The Lebanons
The Anti-Lebanons
Mount Hermon
The Central Range
Mount Meiron/ Mount Meron
 Mount Arbel
Mount Nitai
Mount Ari
Mount Precipice
The Horns of Hattin
Mount Tabor
The Hill of Moreh
Mount Gilboa
Mount Ebal
Mount Gerazim
Mount Harif
Mount Karkom
Mount Ramon
The Carmel Range
Mount Carmel
Irron Hills
Manasseh Heights
Mount Zion
East of the Jordan River
Mount Hermon
Mount Gilead
Mount Nebo (Mount Pisgah)
VI. The Hydrology of Ancient Israel
Water Supplies
Fountains
Wells
Cisterns
Rivers and Brooks

Rivers

Jordan River

Brooks (Wadis)
East of the Jordan River
The Yarmuk/ Yarmouk River
The Jabbok
The Arnon
The Zered
West of the Jordan River
The Wadi Far'a
The Wadi Qelt
The Wadi Qumran
The Kidron
The Wadi Murabba'at
The Wadi Sayyal
Flowing into the Dead Sea
Nahal Harod
Nahal Yissakhar
Nahal Tavor
Nahal Yavneel
Nahal Arbel
Nahal Amud
Nahal Korazim
Nahal Hazor
Nahal Dishon
Hasbani River
Nahal Ayun
Dan River
Banias River
Nahal HaArava
Nahal Neqarot
Nahal Ramon
Nahal Shivya
Nahal Paran
 Nahal Hiyyon
Nahal Zin
Tze'elim Stream
Nahal Mishmar
Nahal Hever
Flowing into the Mediterranean
Nahal Betzet
Nahal Kziv
Ga'aton River
Na'aman River/Belos/Belus
The Leontes
The Kishon
The Nahr ez-Zerqa/Nahal Taninim/Wadi a-Zarka.
Hadera Stream/Nahr Mufjir
Nahal Alexander
Nahal Poleg
The Yarkon River
The Ayalon River
The Kanah/Qana
Nahal Shillo
The Sorek
The Wadi es-Sant
Lakhish River/ Wadi Kabiba /Wadi Sukhrir
The Valley of Zephathah
Nahal Shikma
Nahal Gerar
Nahal Be'er Sheva
Nahal Havron
The Wadi Ghazzeh/ HaBesor Stream
The Wadi el-Arish
Flowing into the Red Sea
 Nahal Shahmon
Nahal Shelomo
The Lakes
Lake Huleh/Lake Semichonitis/ Sea of Samcho (Simchu)/
Samchuna/Merom
The Sea of Galilee (Chinnereth/Sea of Tiberias)
The Dead Sea/Salt Sea/ Lake Asphaltites
Names

The Salt Sea (,

, yam hammelach; Gen 14:3; Num 34:3).
The Sea of the Arabah ( , yam ha'aravah; Deut 3:17; Josh
3:16), a reference to the dry region of the Jordan Valley north and south of
the Dead Sea
The Eastern Sea (

, hayyam haqqadmoniy; Ezek 47:18;
Zech 14:8), owing to its proximity to the land of Israel

Lake Asphaltites ( , Asphaltitis limn), a Greek

name used by Josephus that reflects the large masses of black bitumen that
float on the sea and were useful for caulking ships (Josephus, Jewish War
IV.476480)

VII. The Phytology/Botany of Ancient Israel

Trees
Acacia
Almug
Almond
Plants
Anise
VII. The Zoology of Ancient Israel
Land animals
Mammals
Domesticated
Horses
Horse
Ass
Mule
 Swine
Pigs
Boars
Camels
Cattle
Carnivores
Dogs
Cats
Wild Animals
Shrews
Hedgehogs
Carnivores
Wolf
Jackals
Fox
Bears
Hyenas
Lion
Leopard
Conies
Onagers
Wild boar
Deer
Antelope
Cattle
Wild ox
Gazelle
Ibex
Antelope
Bison
Rodents
 Mole rat
Mouse
Elephants
Primates
Apes

Reptiles
Amphibians
Insects
Ants
Bees
Arachnids
Marine animals
Mammals
Dugong
Fish
Mollusks
Leeches
Coral
Flying animals
Mammals
Bat
Birds
VIII. The Anthropology and Ethnology of Ancient Israel
A. Before the Conquest by Israel
B. Division by Joshua
C. The United Kingdom
D. The Divided Kingdom
E. Under Babylon
F. Under Media-Persia
G. Under the Greek
 H. Under The Romans
IX. The Topology of Ancient Israel
A. Regions and Divisions of Ancient Israel
1. The Cisjordan Region
a. The Coastal/Maritime Plain
i. The Northern Coastal Maritime Plains
(a). The Plain of Acco/Akko/Acre/Asher/Galilean Coast
Extent
From Ras en-Naqura (Ladder of Tyre) to Mount
Carmel
Cities
Ras el Nakoura/Rosh HaNikra
Achzib
Abdon
Bethemek
Rehob
Kabul
Achshaph
Aphek
Nahal
Beten
Acre/Akko/Acco/Ptolemais
Nahriya
Rivers and Streams
Belus/Nahal Naaman
Kishon/Qishon
Keziv/Nahal Kziv
(b). The Plain of Zebulon
Extent
Cities
Rivers and Streams
 (c). The Plain of Athlit/Tantura/Plain of Dor/Coasts of Dor
Extent
From Mount Carmel to Crocodile Rive
Cities
Athlit
Dor
Rivers and Streams
Crocodile River/Nahal Tannim
Dead River
Salt River
Auja River
Nahal Poleg
Nahal Alexander
Nahal Hadera
Nahal Ada
ii. The Southern Coastal Maritime Plains
(a). The Plain of Sharon/Coast of Dan
Extent:
From Crocodile River to Jopp
Cities
Antipatris/Aphek
Rivers andStreams
(b). The Plain of Philistia/The Southern Plain

b. The Plain of Esdraelon/Jezreel/Armageddon

i. Subregions
(a). The Valley of Zebulon
(b). The Valley of Jezreel (Proper)
(c). The Valley of Kisslot/Kislot/Chesulloth
(d). The Valley of Harod
(e). The Valley of Beth-shean
 ii. Cities
iii. Rivers and Streams
c. The Shephelah/The Foothills
i. Valleys
Valley of Aijalon
Valley of Sorek
Valley of Elah
The Valley of Zephathah/The Valley of Guvrin/
The Valley of Lachish
d. The Mountain Ranges
i. The Carmel Range
(a). Subregions
Mount Carmel
Menashe Heights/Heights of Manasseh
Irron Hills
Nablus Downfold/Syncline
Umm el-Fahm
Central Basin
(b). Passes
Aruna-Megiddo Pass
Zephath-Jokneam Pass
Taanach Pass
Dothan Pass (Dothan-Taanach-JeninPass)
Beth-haggan-Ibleam Pass
ii. The Central Mountain Range
(a). The Hill Country of Galilee

i. Subregions
(i). Upper Galilee
(ii). Lower Galilee
ii. Mountains
iii. Cities
 iv. Rivers and Streams
(b). Hill Country of Samaria/Shomron Hills/Samarian Hills
Subregions
i. The Hill Country/Dome of Ephraim/Mt.
Ephraim
ii. The Hill Country/Basin of Manasseh/
Mountains
Mount Ebal
Mount Gerizim
Mount Gilboa
Cities
Shechem
Sychar
Timnath-Serah
Nablus
Tirzah
Samaria
Jenin/En-Gannim
Dothan
Megiddo
Shiloh
Bethel
Baal-Hazor
Ai
(c). Hill Country of Judah/Highlands of Judah/Judean Hills
i. Judean Mountains
a). Bethel Hills/Mountains of Bethel
i).Bethel Hill Mountain Plateau
ii).Bethel Hills Extension
b). Saddle/Central Plateau of Benjamin/
c.) Jerusalem Hills/Jerusalem Saddle
 d). Hebron Hills
ii. The Judean Desert/Judean Wilderness/
e. The Jordan Rift Valley
i. The Bekaa Valley
ii. The Rise of the Jordan
iii. The Huleh Basin
The Marshland
Lake Huleh/Lake Samchuna/Lake Semechonitis/ Yam
Sumchi
Chinnereth/Sea of Galilee/Lake Tiberias
Huleh Valley
Korazin Block
iv. The Jordan River
(a). Sources of the Jordan River
(i). Ayun/Nahar Bareighit
(ii). Dan
Source: Fountain of Leddan
(iii). Banias
Sources: Springs of Banias
(iv). Hasbani
Source: The Springs of Hasbani
(b). Tributaries of the Jordan River
Yarmuk
Harod
Yabis
(c). The Ghor
The Zhor
v. The Dead Sea
f. The Negev/Negeb Desert
i Northern/Northwest Negev Regions
i. Negev Coastal Plain
Rivers
Nahal Besor
 Wadi el Arish
ii. The Beersheba-Arad Valley/Basin/Depression
ii. Central Negev Hills/Mountains/Highlands
a). Central Highlands
The Makkhteshim
Makhtesh Ramon
Makhtesh Gadol
Makhtesh Katan
b). Lower Central Negev/Paran Plateau
iii. Southern Negev
Eilat Hills/Mountains
g. The Aravah/Arabah
Subregions
i. Northern Arabah
ii. Central Arabah
iii. Southern Arabah
h. The Sinai Peninsula
Subregions
Southern Mountains
Central Plateau
Northern Plain
Rivers and Streams
Wadi-el-Arish
2. The Transjordan Region
a. The Transjordan Plateau and Highlands
Subregions
Bashan
Gilead
Mishor
Moab/Ammon
Edom
Geography
Mountains
Abarim
Nebo
 b. The Eastern Desert Plateau/Wilderness
The Eastern Plateau of Trans-Jordan
The Desert South of Edom
B. Roadways of Ancient Israel
1. International Highways
The Great Trunk Road (The Way of the Sea/Via Maris)
The Water-Parting Route/Ridge Route/Way of the Patriarchs
The King's Highway
2. Secondary Routes
In the Negev
In Judah
In the Hill Country of Ephraim
In Galilee
In Transjordan

PART TWO: THE CULTURE OF ISRAEL

I. The Sociological Culture of Ancient Israel
A. The Nation of Ancient Israel
Social Groups
The People of Israel
The Slaves
The Freemen
The Diaspora
Citizen, Citizenship of Ancient Israel
 Citizens
Aliens
The Gentiles/Foreigners
Mesopotamia
Egypt
Canaan and Palestine
Phoenicia
Syria
Cyprus
Asia Minor
Greece
Malta
Italy and Rome
Africa
B. The Municipalities of Ancient Israel
Types

Town, City /,

Village
,
,
/

Size
Location
Walls
Watchmen
Gates
Water Supply
Well
Cistern
Tunnels/Conduits/Channels
Aqueducts
Pools
Market
Streets and Highways
Central Fortress/Citadel
Sanitation
Jerusalem
The Names of Jerusalem
The Location/Situation of Jerusalem
History of Jerusalem
Pre-Biblical Jerusalem
Old Testament Jerusalem
Intertestamental Jerusalem
Under the Persians
Under the Greeks
The Ptolemies
The Seleucids
Acra
Baris
Under Romans
Herodian and New Testament Jerusalem
Roman Jerusalem
Byzantine Jerusalem
Muslim Jerusalem
Modern Jerusalem
The Geography of Jerusalem
The Valleys of Jerusalem
The Hills of Jerusalem
The Fortifications and Walls of Jerusalem
The Gates of Jerusalem
The Streets of Jerusalem
Buildings of Jerusalem
Temple
Tower of Antonia
 The Hydrology and Water Supply of Jerusalem
Levitical Cities
Cities of Refuge
C. The Dwellings of Ancient Israel
Caves
Reed Huts
Tents
Houses
Furniture
Tables
Chairs
Beds
Material Possessions
Utensils
Pots
Pans
Bottles and Glass
Hospitality
D. The Domestic Routine of Ancient Israel
E. The Clothing and Dress of Ancient Israel
G. The Medicine and Health of Ancient Israel
H. The Travel of Ancient Israel
I. The Art of Ancient Israel
J. The Leisure, Play, Amusements, and Entertainment of Ancient Israel
K. The Family Life of Ancient Israel
L. The Science of Ancient Israel
II. The Economical and Commercial Culture of Ancient Israel
III. The Political Culture of Ancient Israel
IV. The Religious and Philosophical Culture of Ancient Israel
Religious Groups of Ancient Israel
The Religious Parties
 The Sadducees
The Hasidim
The Pharisees
The Essenes
The Scribes
The Samaritans
The Christians
The Priesthood
The High Priest
The Priests
The Levites
Political Groups of Ancient Israel
The Herodians
The Zealots and Sicari
The Am-Haeretz (The People of the Land)
V. The Ethical and Moral Culture of Ancient Israel
A. Honor and Shame
B. Individual and Group
C. Social Status
D. Kinship and Marriage
E. Rules of Purity
F. Envy
G. Time
H. Client and Patron
VI. Societal Culture
A. Social Groups Within Israel
1. Jewish
Sadducees
Pharisees
Scribes
Essenes
 Herodians
Zealots
Am-Haretz
Samaritans
Christians/Nazarenes
Ebionites
Proselytes
2. Hellenists
B. Society Outside of Israel
The Diaspora
The Gentiles
Mesopotamia
Egypt
Canaan/Palestine
Phoenicia
Syria
Cyprus
Asia Minor/Anatolia
Greece
Rome/Italy
Malta
Africa

C. Citizens and Aliens