Tel Arad


the mound of Tel Arad
Pastor Stephen and Shimon, our tour leaders

Our group listening to the explanation of Tel Arad


The temple

the city gates from the time of Judah




Holy of Holies in the Temple

information about Arad

outside wall of the city

deep cistern to collect the water so necessary in this dry land



TWe drove to Tel Arad. The word “Tel” in Hebrew means “mound”. Many times these mounds are the result of many cities built on top of each other. One city would be built, destroyed by enemies, and another civilization would come along and build another city on that same site, and this would be repeated many times. As far back as 5,000 years ago, a large Canaanite city stood at this site. This city probably existed in the time of Abraham. During King Hezekiah’s reign, Arad was told to destroy their temple, since the only temple was to be in Jerusalem. But they did not want to do this so instead covered it with earth. Discovered thousands of years later, the remains of this temple are a treasure for bibical  archaeologists. Still evident is the holy of  Holies and the city gate. That is where people would hang out and important business would be conducted.
enjoying the sunshine

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