Beth Shean
Beth Shean (also spelled Beth Shan) was one of the cities of the
Decapolis, a region where Jesus ministered (Matt 4:25; Mark 5:20, 7:31).
Beth Shean has a long history, with occupation periods from around
2000B.C. 
The large number of Egypitans artifacts dating back to the 12th century B.C. suggests that Beth-Shean was inhabited by Egyptians. This statue was found in the home of Ramses-Weser-Kepesh, the governor at that time.
After the decline of the Egyptian empire, Beth Shean was occupied by Canaanites. The remnants of 5 Canaanite temples were found dating back to the 12th century B.C.
The Roman period has left its imprint on the site, with the most impressive building being the theatre.
The Roman columns stood on both sides of the street and would mark the cardo, the heart of the city that was vibrant with shops and pagan temples. During the Roman period, the city was known as Scythopolis.
In the Old Testament, Beth Shean is listed as part of the tribe of Manasseh after Joshua’s conquest of the Promised Land (Josh 17:11, 16). It is here that the bodies of Saul and his sons were fastened to its walls after a key Philistine victory (1 Sam 31:10-12).
The large number of Egypitans artifacts dating back to the 12th century B.C. suggests that Beth-Shean was inhabited by Egyptians. This statue was found in the home of Ramses-Weser-Kepesh, the governor at that time.
After the decline of the Egyptian empire, Beth Shean was occupied by Canaanites. The remnants of 5 Canaanite temples were found dating back to the 12th century B.C.
The Roman period has left its imprint on the site, with the most impressive building being the theatre.
The Roman columns stood on both sides of the street and would mark the cardo, the heart of the city that was vibrant with shops and pagan temples. During the Roman period, the city was known as Scythopolis.
In the Old Testament, Beth Shean is listed as part of the tribe of Manasseh after Joshua’s conquest of the Promised Land (Josh 17:11, 16). It is here that the bodies of Saul and his sons were fastened to its walls after a key Philistine victory (1 Sam 31:10-12).
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Capernaum
Capernaum is nicknamed “The city of Jesus” because it served as
the headquarters of Jesus’ ministry around the Sea of Galilee (aka, the
Sea of Tiberias, and Lake Chinnereth). It is here that Jesus calls his
first disciples, Peter, Andrew, John, and James (Matthew 4:18-22).
Jesus taught in the synagogue here (John 6:24-59). This synagogue was dug up in the 1900’s and it gives us a great sense of how a synagogue was designed. “The building is orientated north-south, stands on a podium and is built of nicely cut limestone, in contrast to the black basalt houses round about. Built to a height of two stories, it is 65 feet long and has an atrium on the east. The facade is decorated with arched gables. Three doors lead into the synagogue proper, which is divided into a broad nave andtwo narrow aisles by rows of columns. Another row of columns facing the entrance connects the two longitudinal rows and its plan thus differs from the basilical type. Along the aisles are stone benches and there is no fixed position for the Torah Shrine” (The Archaeological Encyclopedia of the Holy Land).
This building has been identified as Peter’s house. They were built with drystone walls of black basalt. Small dwelling chambers surrounded a court, commonly paved. The courts contained ovens, staircases to the roof, and an exit to the street. Stone pillars helped to hold up flat roofs, and the main street ran north-south from the shore of the Sea of Galilee.
The star of David was one of the ornamentations found on the synagogue.
An ionic temple on wheels may represent the ark of the covenant of a Torah shrine.
This is how the ruins looked before the Franciscans built a church a top on the round-shaped house which was identified as Peter’s house (circa 1970).
Jesus taught in the synagogue here (John 6:24-59). This synagogue was dug up in the 1900’s and it gives us a great sense of how a synagogue was designed. “The building is orientated north-south, stands on a podium and is built of nicely cut limestone, in contrast to the black basalt houses round about. Built to a height of two stories, it is 65 feet long and has an atrium on the east. The facade is decorated with arched gables. Three doors lead into the synagogue proper, which is divided into a broad nave andtwo narrow aisles by rows of columns. Another row of columns facing the entrance connects the two longitudinal rows and its plan thus differs from the basilical type. Along the aisles are stone benches and there is no fixed position for the Torah Shrine” (The Archaeological Encyclopedia of the Holy Land).
This building has been identified as Peter’s house. They were built with drystone walls of black basalt. Small dwelling chambers surrounded a court, commonly paved. The courts contained ovens, staircases to the roof, and an exit to the street. Stone pillars helped to hold up flat roofs, and the main street ran north-south from the shore of the Sea of Galilee.
The star of David was one of the ornamentations found on the synagogue.
An ionic temple on wheels may represent the ark of the covenant of a Torah shrine.
This is how the ruins looked before the Franciscans built a church a top on the round-shaped house which was identified as Peter’s house (circa 1970).
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Megiddo
One of the most fascinating places relating to the past and the
future of Israel is the city of Megiddo. The city was built, leveled,
and rebuilt over 20 times (25 strata) and archaeologists have uncovered
many ruins that tell of the many cultures and people living there. It
was here that Josiah was killed by Pharaoh Neco and it will be here that
the great battle of Armageddon will take place (Har + Megiddo =
Mountain of Megiddo).
This Canaanite altar dates from around 2200 B.C., thus from before the time of Abraham. It shows that sacrifices were not unique to Israel and that other nations used sacrifices in their worship even before the Mosaic law.
The gate at Megiddo. This was more than just an entryway into the city; it was a place of business where people that traveled from afar would find hospitality.
During the time of Solomon, Megiddo served as the administrative capital of the United Kingdom greatly enlarged the city and built his famous horse stables. These are archaeological remains from the northern palace.
Plan of the northern palace from the time of Solomon.
Solomon’s stables (the horse does not date from that time period : )
This Canaanite altar dates from around 2200 B.C., thus from before the time of Abraham. It shows that sacrifices were not unique to Israel and that other nations used sacrifices in their worship even before the Mosaic law.
The gate at Megiddo. This was more than just an entryway into the city; it was a place of business where people that traveled from afar would find hospitality.
During the time of Solomon, Megiddo served as the administrative capital of the United Kingdom greatly enlarged the city and built his famous horse stables. These are archaeological remains from the northern palace.
Plan of the northern palace from the time of Solomon.
Solomon’s stables (the horse does not date from that time period : )
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Announcing my Ezra-Nehemiah commentary
My Ezra-Nehemiah commentary published in the Mentor series by
Christian Focus Publications (Scotland) is now in print and available
for purchase both at tiberius.rata and I’ll mail you one.
Here are some endorsements from respected Old Testament scholars.
Tiberius Rata has provided the church with a clearly written, insightful synthesis of the often-neglected books of Ezra and Nehemiah. The author’s style is concise and readable; he stays on track and refuses to deviate from his primary goal of illuminating the meaning and significance of the biblical text. One of the most useful features of this volume is its attention to contemporary relevance. Without violating the meaning of the ancient text in its context, the author derives helpful practical insights that are consistent with its original intention.
Robert B. Chisholm, Jr.
Chair and Professor of Old Testament Studies
Dallas Theological Seminary
Tiberius Rata’s work on Ezra/Nehemiah should be warmly received by pastors and teachers. His commentary is clear and to the point, yet he discusses some problems at length, furnishing thoughtfulness and insight for solutions. His viewpoint is solidly orthodox and reverent. His high view of Scripture and of the God of Scripture is reflected throughout the work. His work demonstrates competent scholarship and conveys a pastor’s heart—the work of a pastor scholar. His outlines and comments are helpful for understanding the flow of the historical narrative and are suggestive for sermon preparation. He provides useful summaries—for example, a summaries for the chronology of the book—for understanding the book within the Old Testament canon and timeframe. His use of Ancient Near Eastern sources and documents also give historical context for the books of Ezra/Nehemiah. I recommend this work for teachers in colleges and seminaries and also for teachers and pastors in the local church.
Russell Fuller
Professor of Old Testament Interpretation
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
This commentary on Ezra-Nehemiah is superbly written, beautifully illustrated and carefully documented. Dr. Rata has provided the student of Scripture with a thoughtful commentary on Ezra and Nehemiah that is wholelistic in approach. He skillfully weaves together matters of the Hebrew text, historical backgrounds, theology and archaeological discoveries. Also not forgotten are the practical needs of the contemporary Christian.
This is a book suitable for the classroom, pastor’s office or the scholar’s study.
John J. Davis
President/Professor Emeritus
Grace College and Grace Theological Seminary
Reasoned, researched, and concise, Rata’s commentary on Ezra and Nehemiah opens a window on the historical setting for these significant books of the Old Testament. Carefully selected photographs, illustrations, and charts punctuate its pages and illuminate the text’s background, literary context, and interpretation. This volume ably addresses the interests of laymen and pastors alike as they study the biblical text of the two books.
William D. Barrick
Professor of Old Testament
The Master’s Seminary
The strength of Rata’s work is his synthesis of historical data, past research, and clear exposition of the text. His blending of careful attention to the details of Ezra-Nehemiah with pastoral sensitivity to its contemporary relevance will be of great help to those teaching and preaching an often-neglected part of the Old Testament canon.
Gary E. Yates, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Biblical Studies
Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary
Tiberius Rata combines exegetical skill, knowledge of the ancient world, and a pastor’s heart in this volume. His explanations of the text are clear, forceful, yet concise. This work will assist the church in understanding its call to godly service to Christ and will motivate its readers to re-consecrate their lives and possessions to the work of the Kingdom.
Kenneth A. Mathews
Professor of Divinity
Beeson Divinity School
Here are some endorsements from respected Old Testament scholars.
Tiberius Rata has provided the church with a clearly written, insightful synthesis of the often-neglected books of Ezra and Nehemiah. The author’s style is concise and readable; he stays on track and refuses to deviate from his primary goal of illuminating the meaning and significance of the biblical text. One of the most useful features of this volume is its attention to contemporary relevance. Without violating the meaning of the ancient text in its context, the author derives helpful practical insights that are consistent with its original intention.
Robert B. Chisholm, Jr.
Chair and Professor of Old Testament Studies
Dallas Theological Seminary
Tiberius Rata’s work on Ezra/Nehemiah should be warmly received by pastors and teachers. His commentary is clear and to the point, yet he discusses some problems at length, furnishing thoughtfulness and insight for solutions. His viewpoint is solidly orthodox and reverent. His high view of Scripture and of the God of Scripture is reflected throughout the work. His work demonstrates competent scholarship and conveys a pastor’s heart—the work of a pastor scholar. His outlines and comments are helpful for understanding the flow of the historical narrative and are suggestive for sermon preparation. He provides useful summaries—for example, a summaries for the chronology of the book—for understanding the book within the Old Testament canon and timeframe. His use of Ancient Near Eastern sources and documents also give historical context for the books of Ezra/Nehemiah. I recommend this work for teachers in colleges and seminaries and also for teachers and pastors in the local church.
Russell Fuller
Professor of Old Testament Interpretation
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
This commentary on Ezra-Nehemiah is superbly written, beautifully illustrated and carefully documented. Dr. Rata has provided the student of Scripture with a thoughtful commentary on Ezra and Nehemiah that is wholelistic in approach. He skillfully weaves together matters of the Hebrew text, historical backgrounds, theology and archaeological discoveries. Also not forgotten are the practical needs of the contemporary Christian.
This is a book suitable for the classroom, pastor’s office or the scholar’s study.
John J. Davis
President/Professor Emeritus
Grace College and Grace Theological Seminary
Reasoned, researched, and concise, Rata’s commentary on Ezra and Nehemiah opens a window on the historical setting for these significant books of the Old Testament. Carefully selected photographs, illustrations, and charts punctuate its pages and illuminate the text’s background, literary context, and interpretation. This volume ably addresses the interests of laymen and pastors alike as they study the biblical text of the two books.
William D. Barrick
Professor of Old Testament
The Master’s Seminary
The strength of Rata’s work is his synthesis of historical data, past research, and clear exposition of the text. His blending of careful attention to the details of Ezra-Nehemiah with pastoral sensitivity to its contemporary relevance will be of great help to those teaching and preaching an often-neglected part of the Old Testament canon.
Gary E. Yates, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Biblical Studies
Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary
Tiberius Rata combines exegetical skill, knowledge of the ancient world, and a pastor’s heart in this volume. His explanations of the text are clear, forceful, yet concise. This work will assist the church in understanding its call to godly service to Christ and will motivate its readers to re-consecrate their lives and possessions to the work of the Kingdom.
Kenneth A. Mathews
Professor of Divinity
Beeson Divinity School
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Tel-Dan
Dan was important northern city in Israel. The expression “from
Dan to Beersheba” is the merism used to describe the entire land of
Israel from the north (Dan) to the south (Beersheba).
1 Kings 4:25 And Judah and Israel lived in safety, from Dan even to Beersheba, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, all the days of Solomon.
Jeroboam built an altar at Dan, which became a center of idolatry.
“But Jehu did not turn aside from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat,
which he made Israel to sin–that is, the golden calves that were in
Bethel and in Dan” (2 Kings 10:29).
Dan is mentioned for the first time in Genesis 14 when Abraham rescued Lot from a coalition of kings. This is “The Gate of Three Arches” from the Canaanite period.
Genesis 14:14 When Abram heard that his kinsman had been taken captive, he led forth his trained men, born in his house, 318 of them, and went in pursuit as far as Dan.
The gate at Tel-Dan. The gate was more than an entry point, it was a place that had rooms for conducting business, storing merchandise, and sheltering people and animals.
The most important archaeological discovery is the inscription which mentions “The House of David.” It was discovered in 1994 and it dates back to the 8-9th century B.C.
1 Kings 4:25 And Judah and Israel lived in safety, from Dan even to Beersheba, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, all the days of Solomon.
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Dan is mentioned for the first time in Genesis 14 when Abraham rescued Lot from a coalition of kings. This is “The Gate of Three Arches” from the Canaanite period.
Genesis 14:14 When Abram heard that his kinsman had been taken captive, he led forth his trained men, born in his house, 318 of them, and went in pursuit as far as Dan.
The gate at Tel-Dan. The gate was more than an entry point, it was a place that had rooms for conducting business, storing merchandise, and sheltering people and animals.
The most important archaeological discovery is the inscription which mentions “The House of David.” It was discovered in 1994 and it dates back to the 8-9th century B.C.
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Caesarea Maritima
Herod the Great is known as the paranoid architect. He built,
among other things, the beautiful city of Caesarea Maritima. Here are
some important things archaeologists have uncovered.
The Roman theatre
An artist’s reconstruction of the theatre
Sarcophagi were stone coffins (sometimes made of marble, lead, or wood) were widely used throughout the Roman world. Sarcophagus literally means “flesh eater.”
The Pilate Inscription is the only ancient inscription with the name Pontius Pilate. The inscription was carved in honor of Tiberius by “Pontius Pilate Prefect of Judea.”
They hippodrome
The aqueduct
The Go-Grace 2011 team at Caesarea
Tiberius Rata, Ph.D.
Chair, Biblical Studies Department
Professor of Old Testament Studies
Grace College and Theological Seminary
Winona Lake, Indiana
574.372.5100 ext.6439
https://tiberiusrata.wordpress.com
The Roman theatre
An artist’s reconstruction of the theatre
Sarcophagi were stone coffins (sometimes made of marble, lead, or wood) were widely used throughout the Roman world. Sarcophagus literally means “flesh eater.”
The Pilate Inscription is the only ancient inscription with the name Pontius Pilate. The inscription was carved in honor of Tiberius by “Pontius Pilate Prefect of Judea.”
They hippodrome
The aqueduct
The Go-Grace 2011 team at Caesarea
Tiberius Rata, Ph.D.
Chair, Biblical Studies Department
Professor of Old Testament Studies
Grace College and Theological Seminary
Winona Lake, Indiana
574.372.5100 ext.6439
https://tiberiusrata.wordpress.com
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Go-Grace Israel 2011 team
From January 4 to 15, 2011 I had the privilege of going to Israel
with 40 faculty/staff/students from Grace College and Theological
Seminary. Here is the team in front of the Church of the Nativity in
Bethlehem. The following blogs will be a more detailed account of our
trip.
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