Page 24 - Holyland Magazine - 2023 Edition
P. 24

Omer Eshel
           I t's funny how history can play tricks on us, especially

             when it relates to Biblical accounts, Biblical locations, and
             authenticating Biblical events using modern-era archaeology.


           The Golan, Israel's northeastern region, is considered by
           many as one of the most beautiful regions in Israel. It is full of
           waterfalls, wildlife, ancient history, castles, volcanoes, wineries,
           authentic gourmet cuisine, and much more.

           However, these are NOT the main reasons you want to come
           to the Golan…

           In the time of Jesus, the Golan was considered to be part        Bringing the Bible to life
           of the Galilee, and was home to many Biblical sites. Due
           to geopolitical and historical  events, these sites were left
           untouched. This is one of the few places on earth where one
           can come and see the same view and layout that Jesus saw
           almost 2000 years ago.                                                  in the Golan

           Gamla
           Gamla was the Jewish capital of the Galilee during the Great
           Revolt against the Romans from 66–73 AD. It was also the
           largest Jewish city on the eastern side of the Sea of Galilee.

           It has the largest synagogue dating to the time of Jesus and
           was probably one of the main sites that Jesus visited.

           In fact, Gamla is mentioned by Jesus but not by its name. Jesus
           refers to it as "City on a Hill" during His teaching on the Sermon
           on the Mount. “You are the light of the world. A city that is set
           on a hill cannot be hidden" (Matthew 5:14).

           And why do we think that Gamla is that city?
           Gamla was the Jewish capital of the region, it had the largest
           synagogue east of the Sea of Galilee, and it is safe to assume
           that Jesus taught there on His journeys to that side of the lake.
           Moreover, the multitudes that the Bible speaks about during
           the feeding of the Loaves and Fish probably came from Gamla
           since the other nearby villages were small in population.

           Gamla itself played a significant role in the Great Revolt. When
           we read Josephus Flavius' accounts about the war of the Jews
           against the Romans we hear about the gruesome fate of the
           city of Gamla.
           In his description, Josephus tells us about a great battle in which
           the Romans had to retreat and regroup for another assault in
           light of the fierce resistance of the people of Gamla. When the
           Roman army came into the city, the people of Gamla fled to
           the top of the cliff that the city was built upon (city on a hill) and
           jumped to their death along with their families.

           This act of suicide happened in 67 AD, 6 years before the fall
           of Masada and 3 years before the destruction of Jerusalem.
           Today, we can draw a direct line between Gamla, Jerusalem,
           and Masada.
           This is due to the fact that Gamla was unknown to archaeologists
           until the Golan was governed by the State of Israel in 1967, after
           the Six-Day War. Until the discovery of Gamla, the symbol of   Gamla. Photo: Rina Nagila

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