The Lands of Scripture

The paradise garden God planted for the first humans — the setting of creation, innocence, and the fall.

“Delight, pleasure”

One of the five Philistine cities — home of the giant Goliath and a refuge of David.

“Winepress”

The Galilean town that was the home of the prophet Jonah.

One of the five great Philistine cities — scene of Samson’s final triumph.

“Strong, fortified”

The Philistine town of King Abimelech where both Abraham and Isaac sojourned.

The garden at the foot of the Mount of Olives where Jesus prayed in agony and was betrayed.

“Oil press”

A Canaanite city on the edge of the coastal plain, finally given to Solomon as a wedding dowry.

“Portion, cut off”

The town of Benjamin whose outrage sparked civil war — and the hometown and capital of King Saul.

“Hill”

The city whose people tricked Israel into a treaty — and over which the sun stood still.

“Hill city”

The fertile highland east of the Jordan — of the heap of witness between Jacob and Laban, and the famous "balm of Gilead."

“Heap of witness”

Israel’s first camp in the Promised Land — the base of the conquest, where twelve memorial stones were raised.

“Circle (of stones); "rolling away"”

The place outside Jerusalem’s wall where Jesus was crucified — "the place of a skull."

“Place of a skull (Latin: Calvary)”

Sodom’s sister city of the plain, destroyed with it — paired throughout Scripture as a symbol of judgment.

The fertile region of the Nile delta where Jacob’s family settled and grew into the nation of Israel.

The northern Mesopotamian city where Terah settled and died, and Jacob later took refuge with Laban.

The camp where Miriam and Aaron challenged Moses and Miriam was struck with leprosy.

“Enclosures, settlements”

The great Canaanite royal city of the north, burned by Joshua and later home of Jabin and Sisera.

“Enclosure, settlement”

One of the oldest cities in the land — burial place of the patriarchs and David’s first royal capital.

“Association, fellowship”

The royal city of Sihon king of the Amorites, captured by Israel east of the Jordan.

“Reckoning, account”

The third city of the Lycus valley, for whose believers Epaphras laboured in prayer.

“Sacred city”

The Negev town whose name — "destruction" — marks both Israel’s defeat and later triumph.

“Destruction, devotion (to destruction)”

The Asia Minor city where Paul and Barnabas preached boldly amid a divided populace.

The Transjordan town Saul rescued at the start of his reign — whose men later honoured his body.

“Dry (place) of Gilead”

The first city conquered by Israel under Joshua when the walls miraculously fell after the Israelites marched around it for seven days. Also the city where blind Bartimaeus was healed by Jesus.

“Possibly "place of fragrance" or "moon city"”

The capital city of Israel, central to biblical history from King David onward.

“City of Peace (foundation of peace)”

The great fertile valley of Israel’s battles — Gideon’s camp against Midian and the city of Ahab and Jezebel.

“God sows”

The ancient Mediterranean port from which Jonah fled — and where Peter saw the vision that opened the gospel to all nations.

“Beauty, fair”

The river that Israel crossed to enter the Promised Land under Joshua. Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River, marking the beginning of His public ministry.

“The descender (from Hebrew yarad, "to go down")”

The great wilderness oasis where Israel sent the twelve spies, refused to enter Canaan, and wandered for a generation.

“Kadesh = "holy, sanctuary"”

The "graves of craving," where Israel’s lust for meat brought quail and then plague.

“Graves of craving (graves of lust)”

The fortress capital of Moab — where a desperate king sacrificed his own son on the wall.

“City of pottery / brick fortress”

Judah’s great fortress city — second only to Jerusalem — besieged by Sennacherib of Assyria.

The land "east of Eden" where Cain dwelt as a fugitive after killing his brother Abel.

“Wandering”

The rich, self-sufficient church Christ called "lukewarm" — neither cold nor hot.

“Justice of the people”

The town where Paul healed a lame man, was hailed as a god, then stoned — and the home of Timothy.

The Sea of Galilee fishing town that was home to Mary Magdalene.

“Tower”

The place east of the Jordan where the angels of God met Jacob on his way home.

“Two camps / two hosts”

The Mediterranean island where Paul was shipwrecked, survived a viper’s bite, and healed the sick.

“Refuge / honey (Melita)”

The grove of oaks by Hebron where Abraham camped, built an altar, and entertained the LORD.

The desert spring of undrinkable, bitter water that the LORD made sweet.

“Bitter”

The strategic fortress city guarding the Jezreel Valley — whose name lies behind "Armageddon."

“Place of crowds / assembly”

The ancient capital of Lower Egypt — called Noph — named in the prophets’ oracles against Egypt.

The pass where Jonathan and his armour-bearer routed a Philistine garrison by faith.

The frontier tower by which Israel encamped before the Red Sea — and a later refuge of Jewish exiles.

“Tower, fortress”

The port where Paul gave his moving farewell to the elders of the Ephesian church.

The great assembly place of Israel — where Samuel led repentance and Saul was chosen king.

“Watchtower, lookout”

The wooded ridge where Elijah confronted the prophets of Baal and fire fell from heaven.

“Garden, orchard, fruitful field”

The mountain of the curses, where Joshua built an altar and renewed the covenant.

The mountain of the blessings — and, centuries later, the holy mountain of the Samaritans.

The mountain where King Saul and his sons fell in battle against the Philistines.

The snow-capped northern boundary mountain, whose dew became a figure of blessing.

“Sacred, devoted”

The mountain on the border of Edom where Aaron the high priest died and was succeeded by his son.

“Hor = "mountain"”

The mountain where Abraham offered Isaac — later the site of Solomon’s temple.

“Provided / shown by the LORD”

The peak in Moab from which Moses viewed the Promised Land he would not enter, and where he died.

“Height (uncertain)”

The ridge east of Jerusalem — of Jesus’ teaching, agony in Gethsemane, and ascension.

“Mount of olive trees”

The rugged highland of Edom, the land Esau settled and that became his descendants’ inheritance.

“Hairy, rugged”

The mountain where God gave Moses the Ten Commandments and the Law. Also called Horeb. Moses encountered the burning bush here, and Elijah fled here after Jezebel's threats.

“Also called Horeb, "the mountain of God"”

The rounded mountain over the Jezreel Valley where Barak gathered Israel against Sisera.

The mountain region where Noah’s ark came to rest after the Flood.

The Lycian harbour where Paul, a prisoner, was put aboard a ship of Alexandria bound for Italy.