Page 120 - Advanced Bible Geography ebook

other tributaries also contribute water to the Jordan River, the water of Banias is closest to the
mountain and therefore the birthplace of the river.

Because the Jordan is so important to Israel, several pagan religions were attracted to this mysterious
hole that gave life to the land of Israel. Even today, one can still see the evidence of great temples and
altars given to the worship of pagan gods at the cliff and near the cave.

When Jesus brought his disciples to Caesarea Philippi, the river of Banias
came out of the large cave in the cliff. Pagan religions decided the
mysterious hole with the life-giving water must be the entrance way to a
spiritual underworld, so they named it the “Gates of Hades.” The elaborate
carvings in the cliff face are reminders of how shocking it must have been
for Jesus and his disciples to visit a place with such a dark history. The
temple to Pan stood in front of the carvings pictured here (right).

The god Pan was worshiped here, which led to the name of the community (Banias). Half man, half goat,
the worship of Pan could be very frightening. Words like “panic,” “pandemic” and “pandemonium”
spring from the way people felt about this cult.

The worship of Baal and Asherah also found a home here. In that pagan belief system, the gods went
underground, to “Hades” each winter. According to these beliefs, it was important to draw the gods out
of Hades each spring so the land, crops and families would be fertile. The mysterious cave that offered
never-ending water became known as the “Gates of Hades.” Some of the pagan practices designed to
draw Baal and Asherah out of their winter hibernation included child sacrifice. Elijah referred to these
beliefs in his battle with the prophets of Baal on top of Mount Carmel.

At noon Elijah began to taunt them. “Shout louder!” he said. “Surely he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in
thought, or busy, or traveling. Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened.” - 1 Kings 18:27

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