Field Notes: Mount Carmel

Another “not really a mountain” situation. Mount Carmel is actually a limestone ridge that runs along the Mediterranean coast in northern Israel. In the Bible, it is most famous as the place where the prophet Elijah confronted the prophets of Baal during the reign of King Ahab (1 Kings 18). When the prophet of Baal … Read more

Field Notes: Mount Moriah

Mount Moriah is the modern day Temple Mount. It’s as simple as that. Underneath the raised platform of the Temple Mount is what the Bible calls Mount Moriah. It’s All the Same Hill Nerd Notes:–The staircase visible along the southern wall of the Temple Mount is known as the Southern Steps, one of the main … Read more

Field Notes: Mount Zion

Mount Zion, not a mountain at all, is a historic hill in Jerusalem associated with the City of David and the early royal capital established by King David. In the Bible, Zion originally referred to the stronghold captured by David and later became closely connected with Jerusalem and the Temple Mount. Over time, the name … Read more

Field Notes: Mount Ararat

The larger mountain pictured is Greater Ararat, located in eastern Turkey and visible from the Armenian capital of Yerevan. Standing at 16,854 feet, Greater Ararat is traditionally associated with the resting place of Noah’s Ark after the Flood (Genesis 8:4). Look how deep the water must have been for the ark to land on that … Read more

Field Notes: Mount of Olives

The Mount of Olives is the ridge just east of Jerusalem, separated from the city by the Kidron Valley. It appears throughout the Gospels as on of Jesus’ regular places of prayer and teaching. From its slopes, Jesus delivered the Olivet Discourse about the end times (Matthew 24-25). At the foot of the mount is … Read more

Field Notes: Mount Tabor

Mount Tabor rises prominently out of the Jezreel Valley in northern Israel. In the Old Testament, it served as a gathering point for Israelite forces when Barak assembled troops to face Sisera’s army (Judges 4:5-14). In Christian tradition, Mount Tabor is often identified as the site of the Transfiguration, where Jesus revealed His glory to … Read more

Sorting Out the Herods

Herod The Great Herod Archelaus Herod Antipas Herod Philip (Philip the Tetrarch) Herod Agrippa I Herod Agrippa II After absorbing this and checking out some of the links, you could do this quiz to see if it stuck!

Field Notes: Herod Agrippa I

Herod Agrippa was a grandson of Herod the Great and the son of Aristobulus IV. Unlike the earlier division of his grandfather’s kingdom among several sons, Agrippa eventually ruled over nearly the entire territory that Herod the Great had once controlled. Agrippa first received territory in 37 AD, when the Roman emperor Caligula granted him … Read more