Page 28 - Advanced Bible Geography ebook

Hebron: Biblical City, Modern Significance
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yX1Gy8P8J5M

Beersheba means “well of the oath” or “well of seven.” It was originally dug by Abraham and named
after Abimelech and he entered into a compact or oath (Gen. 21:31). Beersheba was the favorite place
of abode for both Abraham and Isaac. Beersheba is mentioned to be among the “cities” given to the
tribe of Simeon (Josh. 19:2) and after time was a landmark to point out the south part of the Holy Land.
A distance of 144 miles, “From Dan to Beersheba” is often used to designate the whole of the Promised
Land (Judg. 20:1, I Chr. 21:2, 2 Sam 24:2).

The Land of Persia

Babylon was defeated in 538 BC by Cyrus on the night of Belshazzar’s feast (Daniel
5:30). It was this king that issued the famous degree for the Jews to return to their
homeland to rebuild the Temple taking with them the sacred vessels of the temple
removed by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. Under Cyrus (pictures right), the
Empire became the largest and most powerful empire in human history up until that
point. Cyrus was able to defeat the Assyrians and Egyptians and build a very large
empire. He based his leadership philosophy on a model of tolerance and respect for other cultures and
religions.

Under Darius the second Temple of Zerubbabel
was completed, and under Xerxes (Ahasuerus)
the story recorded in the Book of Esther
occurred. A later king, Artaxerxes allowed Ezra
and Nehemiah to return to Jerusalem to rebuild
the walls.

The Capital of the Persian Empire was Shushan.
The Empire lasted about 200 years before being
conquered by the Greeks.

At the height of power, the empire
encompassed approximately 3 million square
miles spanning Asia, Africa, and Europe. The
empire had a centralized, bureaucratic
administration under the Emperor and a large
professional army and civil services, inspiring similar developments in later empires.

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