Israel Jordan Highlights Set 2

Photo highlights from the rest of our Israel/Jordan tour (days 4-14). This doesn't cover everything of course; but it gives you a taste of some of the cool stuff we saw and experienced. Back to other albums

Tabgha Harbor (means harbor of heptabago, or 7 springs). This is where Jesus called his disciples and probably appeared post-resurrection. (John 21)Just imagine the early morning fire, and the breakfast of bread and fish.

View of Mt. Arbel from Tabgha Harbor on the Sea of Galilee. This is where Jesus called his disciples and probably appeared post-resurrection. (John 21)

This spot is called Eremos Topos, which is just Greek for remote or desolate place. But it's really famous because there is good reason to believe that it was the site of the Feeding of the 5,000 and the Sermon on the Mount. Pretty cool.

Daniel climbing the cliffs of Mt. Arbel, a local mountain where Jesus probably retreated to pray. These caves are in the side of the mountain, and were a hideout for some Zealots of Magdala in 38 BC when Herod the Great was told by Marc Antony that he could have this land if he could subdue it. So he started in north Galilee (here), and his men found the Zealots hiding in the cliffs but couldn't get to them. They finally resorted to lowering Roman soldiers on ropes and starting fires in the mouths of all the caves, effectively smoking the men out. Then when the Zealots came out, they grabbed them with hooks from above and threw them off the cliffs. This is what drove the Zealots underground for 50 years before Jesus' day, when they were starting to gain strength again.

Katie & Brooke climbing Mt. Arbel, a local mountain where Jesus probably retreated to pray.

Climbing down from Mt. Arbel in Galilee.

This is in the synagogue of the village of Korazin, one of the places Jesus preached and did a lot of miracles. This is Katie sitting on a common fixture in any synagogue: the Moses seat. After someone read from the Scripture on the Sabbath, he sat down on the Moses seat, and those gathered could ask him questions.Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and... taught in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: 'The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.'Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, and he began by saying to them, 'Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.'(Luke 4)

Entering Capernaum, the home of Peter's mother-in-law, where Jesus spent a lot of time (hence the sign). In some holy spots like this, we were not allowed to wear sleeveless tops or shorts knee-high or higher (hence the other sign).

Hermon Stream, near Caesarea Philippi (formerly known as Banias/Panias). Jesus brought His disciples to this area shortly before His death:When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, 'Who do people say the Son of Man is?'They replied, 'Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.''But what about you?' he asked. 'Who do you say I am?'Simon Peter answered, 'You are the Christ,[b] the Son of the living God.'(Matthew 17)

Hermon Stream, near Caesarea Philippi (formerly known as Banias/Panias).

Lunch! Hummus, mustard, meat, cheese sandwiches. This was our yummy standard every day we were in Israel.

Tel Dan. Although God gave to the tribe of Dan a chunk of land in south, they didn't like that land and went searching for a better land. So they came here. Where they ended up being on the front lines every time any neighbors from the north attacked Israel. Too bad for them.

Jenn sitting next to the Jordan River, north of the Sea of Galilee.

Vultures at Gamla (the largest Jewish city in the region of Galilee).

Hiking down to the fortress city of Gamla (largest Jewish city in the region of Galilee)

Daniel out at the rocky outcropping at Gamla, overlooking Galilee.

This, the same outcropping as in the last photo, was the point to which Roman soldiers herded all the 5,000 Zealots who had been fortified in this city in 67 AD. All 5,000 jumped to their death on the rocks below, rather than let Rome take them.

Mines outside of Susita, a Decapolis city on the Sea of Galilee. Susita is also the possible site of Jesus' casting demons out of demoniac into pigs.

Bet Shean, the largest Roman city in the north (also a Decapolis city). Amazingly, less than 10% of it has been excavated.

Bet Shean bathhouse - those are toilet seats.

Bet Shean - the remains of a heated bathing area. The floor of the bath was over these posts, and hot water surrounded these posts, through which heat came up from the fires built underneath.

Modern city of Amman, Jordan. In David's day, it was called Rabbah (lit. main) of the Ammonites. Bathsheba's husband Uriah was killed on the front lines here.

Jerash (also known as Gerasa), the biggest Decapolis city that's been found yet. Daniel is standing in its decuminus (main street).

Towering pillars along the decuminus of Jerash.

Daniel reclining in a large laver in Jerash, which the people would have used to wash before worshiping Artemis, the main goddess here.

Daniel on some ruins in Jerash. A few moments after this photo was taken, the security guards asked us to climb down

Penuel is likely the site where Jacob wrestled with God and reconciled with Esau.

Sheep & goats being led up the steep hillside at Penuel.

Yay for cold drinks on the truck ride home

Daniel relaxing in the Dead Sea on the Jordan side. This was the day before we left.

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Recent photo comments

Jeff: I never seen so many columns in my life as I did in Isreael.

Laura: :( I miss that. I think I need to move out of IN and somewhere that has mountains...

Daniel: California has lots of mountains... :)

Jeff: This was my favorite place on the whole trip!

I talked for a bit to this man at the Western Wall; he was a friendly guy, collecting money for a local charity.

Jeff: This lookslike Micah with a beard and long hair!! haha

Katie: That's Masada behind us, and we're on Mt Eleazar. So you can see the distance between the two. Crazy thing is, you could totally hear things across the divide!

Jeff: Good thing no one fell over the edge! It was a long way down.

Laura: I loved this part... :)

Katie: Mt Eleazar is the mountain right next to Masada, named for Eleazar, the leader of the group of Zealots in Masada in the bar Kokhba revolt. Although he couldn't get into Masada, the Roman captain could get up on top of this mountain, so he'd yell across the gorge to Eleazar and try to get him to surrender. (Um, yeah. If I was in Masada, I don't think I'd surrender either.)

Laura: Yeah... this is right before the spot where I thought I couldn't go any further... but look behind us -- there was nothing to go back to, either. I'm glad I made it to the top, but if I never climb that mountain in 105 degree heat again, I won't be sad. :)

Katie: My favorite photographer. :)

I like how his lens is about as long as his legs...

Deisy: Brother Daniel,
berani dan suka main dengan camera Just like your father.

Mom Peckham: Deisy in her 20's works at our translation center - I didn't know she had gone to your website! "Brother Daniel, you're brave and like to play with your camera/photography just like your father."

Daniel & Katie Enjoying the spring at En Gedi.

Katie: SO refreshing after the heat of that desert!!

Deisy: Ka Ketie,
tangkaaaaaaap.....ka Dan !

Mom Peckham: Deisy in her 20's works at our translation center - I didn't know she had gone to your website! "Older sibling (kakak) Katie, catch older sibling Daniel!"

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