Page 24 - Holyland Magazine - 2023 Edition

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

24
10