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Daily Bible Study - Jerusalem Fact File
Jerusalem Fact File
Jerusalem is located on a high ridge, consisting of 3 hills. Along the east
of the city is the Kidron Valley (in which runs the Brook Kidron, including
the Pool of Gihon), and to the south is the Valley Of Hinnom (see also Jerusalem Gates). The Mount Of Olives, where Jesus Christ was arrested That Fateful Night, where He ascended into the heavens after His resurrection, and where The Return Of Jesus Christ will occur, is just to the east, across the Kidron Valley. The Lord walked many times through there on His way to Bethany to visit Martha and Mary and Lazarus.
Archaeological studies indicate that the city is very ancient, having been
established perhaps more than 2,000 years before it was captured from the
Jebusites by King David about 1,000 B.C.
Jerusalem had earlier been named Salem (Genesis 14:18) and Jebus (1
Chronicles 11:4). Salem meant peace (see Bible History).
The city is mentioned throughout The Bible, over 600 times in the Old Testament (see Old Testament Fact File), somewhat less in the New
Testament (see New Testament Fact File). The first mention of the name Jerusalem is found in Joshua
chapter 10.
The first Temple was constructed by King Solomon (see also
Solomon's Kingdom) over a period of about 12 years, with completion around 950 B.C. The original Temple (see Temples) was destroyed by the Babylonians under King Nebuchadnezzar about 587 B.C. (see Why Babylon?). The
first Temple lasted about 360 years. The Herodian Temple, as constructed by
Herod the Great, existed at the time of Jesus Christ. It was a continuation
of earlier reconstruction work done by Jews who had been allowed to return
by the Persians after the Babylonian Captivity. The second Temple was
destroyed by the Roman Legions under Titus in 70 A.D. at the conclusion of the
Jewish War (see Fall of Jerusalem In 70 A.D. and Ancient Empires - Rome). Bible prophecy clearly indicates that one more Temple is going to be constructed in Jerusalem. It is most definitely The Place To Watch
The city is 2,550 feet (777 meters) above sea level. Its latitude is 32 degrees north (about the same as the southern U.S.), and its longitude is
35 degrees east (the same as Moscow to the north, and east Africa to the south).
From Jerusalem:
The Dead Sea is 14 miles (23 kilometers) east.
The Jordan River is 19 miles (31 kilometers) east.
The Mediterranean Sea is 34 miles (55 kilometers) west.
Bethlehem is 5 miles (8 kilometers) south.
Nazareth is 63 miles (102 kilometers) north.
Samaria is 30 miles (49 kilometers) north.
Hebron is 19 miles (31 kilometers) south.
Egypt is 300 miles (485 kilometers) southwest.
Assyria and Babylon were 720 miles (1,170 kilometers) east.
Persia (see Ancient Empires - Persia) was 1,050 miles (1,700 kilometers) east.
Greece (see Ancient Empires - Greece) is 825 miles (1,340 kilometers) northwest.
Rome is 1,550 miles (2,510 kilometers) northwest.
Fact Finder: Will Jerusalem one day be the capital of the earth?
Isaiah 2:2-4
Also, see Prophecy
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