Page 93 - Bible Geography and Near East Studies - Textbook w videos short
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side, Hermon’s springs form the Jordan River. The name Jordan means “to descend.” Indeed, the Jordan
River descends from its lofty heights at the base of Mt. Hermon to the Sea of Galilee (700 feet below sea
level) and then to the Dead Sea, the lowest place on earth at 1,400 feet below sea level.
The proximity of Mt. Hermon to Caesarea Philippi at its base makes Hermon the likely location of the
Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-8).
Snow-covered Mt. Hermon towers above
the Upper Galilee.
Mt. Hermon viewed from the Sea of Galilee on a clear day.
Dan
The tribe of Dan occupied two areas. First, the tribe was assigned an area in what is called the
“Shephelah.” Think of it as low hill country leading up the mountains of Judea. Dan’s territory stretched
all the way to the Mediterranean Sea, but the Philistines had a firm hold on the coastal lands. Many of
the battles between the Philistines and Israelites took place in the Shephelah (David fighting Goliath is
the most famous example), so Dan was constantly on guard and subjected to attacks on a regular basis.
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