ISRAEL PHOTOS III -- A COLLECTION OF PHOTOS FROM ISRAELWITH DESCRIPTIONS OF SCENES AND SITES PERTINENT TO THE STUDY OF CHRISTIANITY |
In the early fourth century Eusebius published his Onomasticon - an atlas of Biblical locations in Israel. In this book he described Chorazein as two mile posts from Capernaum. In his time, before his death c. 339-340, it was deserted. A Roman mile is about 5241.47 feet.
Korazim Park is about 4 kilometers from Capernaum (according to map). There was a sign at the Korazim National Park "...site was probably settled during the 1st century CE." At Korazim/Chorazin I met a local couple picking up pieces of red clay pottery after a rain storm who told me the town could be dated to early Roman times. I told them there appeared to be some old foundations in the pasture below the park. He told me there are more ruins further up the hill behind park.
In 2007 Henry B. Smith, M.A., Associates for Biblical Research, published an online article about Chorazin showing a map with first century ruins on a hill north of the Chorazin parking lot.
In September of 2020 a YouTube video about the lifting of the third century synagogue floor by Israeli archaeologist Achia Cohen Tavor and the discovery of
first century pottery beneath it was published by Sergio and Rhoda of Israel: Lifting the ancient floor of the cursed city of Chorazin
Lake view from west end of Chorazin, January 2006
Matthew 11:20-24 World English Bible 20 Then he began to denounce the cities in which most of his mighty works had been done, because they didn’t repent. 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon which were done in you, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. 23 You, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, you will go down to Hades. For if the mighty works had been done in Sodom which were done in you, it would have remained until today. 24 But I tell you that it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom, on the day of judgment, than for you.”
Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum were but piles of buildings stones when 19th century travelers reached these sites. One traveler remarked that Capernaum had been cast down just as Jesus predicted as he looked at the piles of stones in front of him at Tel Hum (Capernaum). There were numerous wars and devastating earthquakes in the area. Tiberias and Safed have been rebuilt after the earthquake of 1837 caused buildings to collapse on top of those dwelling within.
Chorazin Synagogue January 2006
According to park authorities this synagogue was built in the third or fourth century. Jesus did not indicate there was a synagogue at first century Chorazin. This location was referred to as Choriza by Arabs before Israeli statehood in 1948.
Aerial View From A Nearby Hilltop
Chorazin Ruins c. 1937 -- Library of Congress
Collection
Matthew 23:1-14 (WEB) 1 Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to his disciples, 2 saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees sat on Moses’ seat. 3 All things therefore whatever they tell you to observe, observe and do, but don’t do their works; for they say, and don’t do. 4 For they bind heavy burdens that are grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not lift a finger to help them. 5 But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries[a] broad, enlarge the fringes[b] of their garments, 6 and love the place of honor at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, 7 the salutations in the marketplaces, and to be called ‘Rabbi, Rabbi’ by men. 8 But don’t you be called ‘Rabbi,’ for one is your teacher, the Christ, and all of you are brothers. 9 Call no man on the earth your father, for one is your Father, he who is in heaven. 10 Neither be called masters, for one is your master, the Christ. 11 But he who is greatest among you will be your servant. 12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. 13 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses, and as a pretense you make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation. 14 “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you shut up the Kingdom of Heaven against men; for you don’t enter in yourselves, neither do you allow those who are entering in to enter.
Israel Antiquities Authority web-page about Chorazin: http://www.antiquities.org.il/site_Item_eng.asp?id=132
Second Aerial View of Chorazin from Hilltop -- 2006
Parable of the Mustard Seed
A Mustard Field Along Highway 87-North Shore of Galilee
Mustard Seeds in the Palm of a Hand
Mustard Flowers
Giant Mustard
Upper Most Seats of the Synagogue
The Fig Tree
Mt of Olives Fig Tree, April 12-13, 2005
Fig and Pomegranite Trees Below Siloam in Jerusalem
Sycomore Fig Tree
The Good Shepherd
The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats
Goat Herder
Camels
Ritual Cleansing
Shechem
The Olive Harvest of Samaria
Mt. Ebal
Olive Tree
Pearl of Great Price
A First Century Synagogue at Gamala
Overview of Gamala
Modern Galilee Fishing Boats
Kursi
Caves and/or Tombs
Steep Slope Near Kursi
Hippos
Feeding the 5,000
On the Mountain
Walking on Water
Ramot-Tzelon area
Mt. Hermon
The Pools of Bethesda in Jerusalem
Healing Pools
Crusader Chapel and St. Ann Church
Pool of Siloam in Jerusalem
Hezekiah's Tunnel
Overlook to Siloam
Tower of Siloam
A Watch Tower in a Vineyard/Olive Grove
Grape Vines at Beth Horan
Towers
Mt. Precipice
South Face
Summit
Over the edge
Measuring Line
View of Nazareth from near Megiddo
Nazareth
The Basilica of the Annunciation
Capernaum
Healing a Paralytic in Capernaum
Bethsaida
Waterskins and Wineskins
The Fish and the Coin
Barbel
A Denarius
Casting Out a Demon
The Road to Jericho
Old Roman Road
Wilderness Above Jericho
Old Jericho
Western Wall
Gethsemane and the Cave of Gethsemane
Church of the Holy Sepulcher
Rolling Stone Tombs - Jerusalem
Other Rolling Stone Tombs
Tiberias
Solar Power in Israel
Salt of the earth
Chorazin
OTHER WEB SITES BY DAVID HALL:
Israel Photos VI
Israel Photos V -- Spring 2011
Israel Photos IV -- Pilgrimage
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