Page 84 - Bible Geography and Near East Studies - Textbook w videos short

Cana
Two sites are claimed as Cana of Galilee. The traditional site is at Kefr Kenna, a small village about 4½
miles northwest of Nazareth. It now contains the ruins of a church which is said to stand over the house
in which Jesus turned water into wine at a marriage feast. It also contains a fountain, from which it is
asserted the water was taken to fill the six large stone pots. Another site for Cana is located about nine
miles due north of Nazareth. Whichever is correct, perhaps it is best to simply say that Jesus performed
his very first miracle for a nameless couple in a place so small it has disappeared from history. And if
Jesus cared that much about a couple who didn’t even know (at the time) they had a problem, he
certainly cares for all our needs!

Mount Tabor
Mount Tabor is the site of the battle between the Israelite army
under the leadership of Barak and the army of the Canaanite king
of Hazor, Jabin, commanded by Sisera (Judges 4). The Israelites
descended from the mountain and vanquished Sisera and the
Canaanites.

By tradition, Mount Tabor is also said to be the place where Jesus
took Peter, James and John to view his transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-8). By the geographic description
given us in the Bible, however, Jesus and the disciples were in the northernmost reaches of Israel
(Caesarea Philippi), at the base of Mt. Hermon. Most likely, the transfiguration happened on the snow-
covered peak of Hermon. In the earliest days of modern tourism, Christian pilgrims could reach Mt.
Hermon only with great difficulty. Since Mt. Tabor stood between Nazareth and the Sea of Galilee,
pilgrims began climbing Mt. Tabor to “remember” the transfiguration. In time, the new tradition became
mixed with assumed history, and today some still insist that Tabor is the location of the miraculous
event. Whatever the case, Mt. Tabor now stands as a tall witness to the ability of “traditional” sites in
the Holy Land to become revered locations of biblical events, even if the locations aren’t accurate.

Megiddo: Built for War

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