Download Part 2 Geography of the Old Testament

Old Testament Survey
Pastor Ron Dyer, Cedarview Community Church – Newmarket, Ontario.
September 2015 - June 2016
Foundational Course 2
Part 2 – Geography of the Old Testament
2.1 Area surrounding Israel
The Old Testament events occurred in the ancient Near East, commonly known today as the Middle East. This includes
the region of Mesopotamia in the east, Asia Minor in the north, Egypt in the west, and the Arabian Peninsula in the
south. It is important to remember that the physical land never changes, but its name often does as does the ruler or
rulers.
1
The Fertile Crescent – Known as the “Cradle of Civilization”, the
Fertile Crescent is regarded as the birthplace of agriculture,
urbanization, writing, trade, science, history and organized
religion. Perfect in terms of rain and irrigation, it allows for
wonderful agriculture and a great place to settle hence one of
the first settled areas in the Middle East. The region changed
hands many times through the ages from the Assyrians to the
Chaldean Empire (Nebuchadnezzar II), Cyrus the Great and The
First Persian Empire. Alexander the Great and the Greeks then
invaded the area and then the Parthians (among others) until the
coming of the Romans. After that it was the Sassanid Persians
and then the Arabian Muslims (7th century AD).
Mesopotamia – The name means “land between the rivers”, in
this case the Tigris and Euphrates. The land is about 600 miles
long it contains canals to water the land (similar to Egypt) but is
very open to attack from enemies. It was her in the town of
Haran the Hebrews found their first homeland, located between
the two rivers (after Abram came from Ur and before they went to Canaan). Later in Israel’s history the rulers of this
land will control the land that they would live in (Assyrians, Babylonians and Persians). Today Iraq and Iran occupy most
of ancient Mesopotamia.
Asia Minor (Anatolia) – This area is located to the north and the west of the Fertile Crescent and is a mountainous area
rich in minerals and metal ores. This became important as traders came to buy them in exchange for food. This was also
the path for travel from central Asia to southeast Europe. The Hittites called this land home for a long period of time.
Asia Minor is now known as Turkey
Syro-Palestine (Levant) - The land along the eastern
Mediterranean coast. It has the sea on the west and desert
on the east. Nearly four-fifths of Old Testament history takes
place in this area on the eastern Mediterranean coast. This
territory now includes the states of Syria, Lebanon, Jordan,
and Israel.
Arabian Peninsula – A massive piece of land is mostly desert
surrounded by fertile coastal land. This area acted as a
boundary between Mesopotamia and Egypt and most travel
was more north and south through Canaan. The Peninsula
was home to many tribes set against the Hebrews, such as
the Moabites, Ammonites, Amalekites and the Midianites.
Saudi Arabia controls most of the Arabian Peninsula.
Egypt – Known as “the gift of the Nile” in ancient time due to
the value of the water and the suitability of growing crops.
The water and the protection of the mountains and desert
made it a natural place for civilization.
2.2 The Holy Land
The area is named Palestine after the Philistines
who settled there about 1300 BC (from Joppa to
Gaza). Prior to that time it was known as Canaan
(meaning “land of purple”). It is the geographical
and theological center of the ancient world. While
located at the center of critical trade routes
between Africa, Asia, and Europe the land is only
150 miles long and 100 miles wide (about the size
of New Jersey). It consists of four very different
geographical regions.
The Coastal Plain – A fertile strip of land (30 inches
of rain annually) but was never of primary
significance to the Hebrews. (Today it is the Gaza
Strip)
The Central Hill Country – Of greatest importance
in the Old Testament times and where the
majority of Israelite cities were located. The
mountainous area is divided into Galilee in the
north, Samaria or Ephraim in the middle, and
Judah to the south. Plenty of rainfall allowed for
the Hebrew`s agricultural needs to be met.
The Jordan Rift – It is a large depression beginning
north in Syria and runs into the Red Sea in the
south. The Sea of Galilee is 650 feet below sea
level (fresh water) and while called a sea is really a
lake just 13 miles wide and 7 miles long. From
there the Jordan then flows south to the Dead Sea
which at 1300 feet below sea level is the lowest
point on earth. The Dead sea has no natural outlet
and is 30% salt.
The Transjordan Plateau – Rising up from 2000 to
6000 feet above sea level from the Jordan to the Arabian Desert.