Page 72 - Advanced Bible Geography ebook

by Philip (Acts 8:40), Peter (Acts 10) and by Paul and his companions on multiple occasions. Paul’s time
in prison started in Caesarea also.

Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, along with a host of other people we know from the Old Testament, spent
time in the Negev Desert and southern-most part of Judea. Samuel, Saul, David (and Goliath), Solomon
and every king of Judah knew of the foothills between Gaza and Jerusalem. And practically everyone in
the Bible knew firsthand how difficult it was to walk the rocky road between Jerusalem and Jericho. That
road was so well known; Jesus used it as the setting for the parable of the Good Samaritan.

In short, it’s important to get to know the places of the Bible. Visualizing “the where” of the story helps
us communicate the great truths of the Bible.

Most of the cities and sites in Southern Israel are known from the Old Testament Period. In the New
Testament, Jesus and the Apostles are never recorded as traveling south of Jerusalem. Let’s start in the
very southern part of the Dead Sea.

Dead Sea

The Dead Sea is so named because nothing lives in it. The lowest point on
earth, this body of water lies more than 1,400 feet (430 meters) below sea
level. Thus, while water from the Jordan River flows into the Dead Sea,
nothing can flow out of it. You’ll find this body of water often called the “Salt
Sea” in the Old Testament.

The water of the Dead Sea is eight times saltier than ocean water. It has a
33.7 percent salinity rate! The high mineral content causes anyone trying to
swim in the water to be very buoyant. No one can sink! Because of the high
mineral content in the water and because it has the lowest risk factor of UV rays from the sun, many
people visit the Dead Sea today for help with skin conditions.

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