Huntsmans in the Holy Land: Galilee Rotations Day 10: Western Galilee

Map and itinerary for Wednesday, July 25:

From `En Gev we went first to Korazim (B; KJV, "Chorazin") and then to Sepphoris (C) and Acre (D).

Earlier visits to Western Galilee:

Chorazin

Together with Capernaum and Bethsaida, Chorazin formed the so-called "evangelical triangle," where most of Jesus' teachings and miracles took place. These three cities earned a rebuke from the Lord for not, as a whole, accepting him and being converted (see Matthew 11:20-24).

This fourth century synagogue was built on the site of earlier synagogues, including, presumably, one in the first century that might have been visited by Jesus

Class pic in the Chorazim synagogue

Jamie sitting in "Moses' seat"

Now Chorazim is inhabited by hyraxes!

A stone "mote"

And a stone "beam"

Thorns on the tree called Zizyphus spina chrristi, or "thorns of Christ"

Sepphoris

Sepphoris (modern "Tzippori") was the capital of Galilee until Herod Antipas built Tiberias (modern "Teverya") on the Sea of Galilee and moved his headquarters there. It was still a bustling, growing city when Jesus was young, and Joseph the Carpenter and his foster son may have come over the hill from Nazareth to find day work there.

After the first and second Jewish Revolts, Galilee became the new center of Judaism, and Sepphoris, that went over to the Romans early, because a center of Jewish scholarship (the Mishna was largely compiled here).

The "Mona Lisa of Galilee"

Class pic on top of the Crusader fortress in Sepphoris

The water system at Sepphoris

Acre

Also known as Akko, this has been one of the most important ports of the Holy Land since the Bronze Age. But is is best known for its role during the Crusader period, where it held on long after the Europeans lost Jerusalem itself.