The spacious Jezreel Valley spreads out to the north and east from Mount Carmel, providing convenient passage for international travelers in ancient times. The fertile alluvial soil makes this the country’s breadbasket as well. The Bible speaks of the gathering of armies in this valley at the place of Armageddon.
Jezreel Valley
Also known as Campus Legionis, Esdraelon, Esdraelon Valley, Plain of Megiddo, Plains of Megiddo, Great Plain, Great Plain of Esdraelon, Great Plain of Megiddo, Merj ibn-'Amir, Plain of Megiddo, “The Valley,” Valley of Megiddon
Mount Tabor
From the Nazareth ridge, Mt. Tabor looms large to the east. While some tradition ascribes the transfiguration of Jesus to this place, it more likely occurred in the area around Caesarea Philippi. Deborah and Barak camped on Mt. Tabor with the Israelite army before attacking and defeating Sisera’s Canaanite force (Judg 4).
Mount Gilboa
Mount Gilboa is on the southeastern side of the Jezreel Valley. King Saul felt forced to commit suicide on these slopes when facing certain defeat by the Philistines. In light of Saul and Jonathan’s deaths, David cursed the mountain: “O mountains of Gilboa, may you have neither dew nor rain, nor fields that yield offerings” (2 Sam 1:21).
Ein Harod
At the foot of Mount Gilboa is Ein (the spring of) Harod. Judges 7 describes Gideon’s actions in thinning his army out. He brought the men to the spring and sorted them on the basis of how they drank from the water. Today the swimming pool sits just in front of the cave where the spring emerges.
Harod Valley
This fantastic view is filled with biblical history. From this location on Tel Jezreel looking east, one can almost picture the anointed (but not yet crowned) Jehu “driving like a madman,” on his way to killing the kings of Israel and Judah (2 Kgs 9). Nine hundred years later, Jesus healed the 10 lepers, probably somewhere in this valley (Luke 17).
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Related Websites
See the related site of Megiddo. For Bible chapters related to the Jezreel Valley, see Joshua 19, Judges 4, and 1 Samuel 31.
Jezreel Valley
Jezreel (Tourist Israel) Gives easy-to-read information on the location and setting, along with a brief section on the history.
Jezreel (B2 Israel) A brief article with pictures, including activities to do in the area.
The Jezreel Valley (Jewish Virtual Library) Interesting and informative, this article harmonizes the biblical and modern history of the site, as well as provides insight into the many rich resources of the region.
Jezreel Valley (BibleWalks.com) Offers the reader a thorough description of the valley and surrounding geographical features. Pictures and links enhance the text.
Valley of Jezreel (ChristianAnswers.net) Briefly describes the geographical situation of the valley, in addition to basic biblical facts about the site, and includes internal links.
Jezreel (Bible Odyssey) Provides a summary of the biblical events associated with Jezreel along with a discussion about the draw of the site.
Jezreel Valley Regional Project (official site) The official page of the current excavations ongoing in the Jezreel Valley.
The Valley of Jezreel – The Plain of Esdraelon (Christian Resource Institute) Highlights the agricultural, commercial, and strategic benefits of the land, and includes a map.
Is the Jezreel Valley the Stage for the Final Battle? (Logos blog) This article looks at historical and biblical events at Megiddo and discusses several options for the location of eschatological battles.
Yizrael Valley (Birding Sites in Israel) Bird-lovers will enjoy this unique perspective on the valley.
Mount Gilboa
Mount Gilboa (Tourist Israel) Gives easy-to-read information on the location and setting, along with a few modern attractions.
Mount Gilboa (Jewish Virtual Libary) Provides an interesting and informative glimpse into the biblical events which unfolded on and around this mountain.
Behar HaGilboa (Hebrew Songs) This website features transliterated Hebrew lyrics along with an English translation of this song written about the mountain.
In the Gilboa Mountains, Wildflowers Defy King David’s Curse (Times of Israel) Information about the modern hiking paths through the Mount Gilboa area.
Gideon’s Cave – Ma’ayan Harod (Gems in Israel) This website gives information about the spring and its immediate surroundings.
Mount Tabor (see the Mount Tabor page on BiblePlaces.com)
Mount Tabor (See the Holy Land) A basic overview of Mount Tabor, including geographical and historical information.
Mount Tabor (Tourist Israel) Gives easy-to-read information on the location and setting, along with a few modern attractions.
Exploring Mount Tabor: A Visitor’s Guide (PlanetWare) An extensive article that includes large photos, a map of the site itself, and a nice section on the history.
Mt. Tabor (Gems in Israel) A personal and picturesque description of the opportunities available both approaching and atop Mount Tabor.
Mount Tabor (Christian Resource Institute) Gives a brief history of the region.
Mount Moreh, Nain, and Shunem
Moreh (Holman Bible Dictionary) An encyclopedic entry about Moreh.
Nain in the Bible (Biblical Definitions) Gives a nice overview of Nain, including this two-minute video that serves as a good introduction to the site.
Nain (See the Holy Land) A synopsis of the history and relevance of Nain.
Naim (BibleWalks) Features some very nice photos around the site.
The City of Nain (Evangelical Magazine) A look at the history of Shunem, Elisha, Nain, and Jesus, bringing it all together.
A New Life for Nain (Pro Terra Sancta) A 2013 article about the church at the site, focusing on the religious surrounding, accompanied by several photos.
Shunem (Jewish Virtual Library) An excellent overview of the biblical history and geography around Shunem.
Shunem (ChristianAnswers.Net) Briefly describes the origin of the word, in addition to the basic biblical facts about the site.
