Jericho - the oldest city Tanakh
Among the public still centers of urban civilization of Jericho - the oldest city in the world (emu10 thousands of years) and very low-lying on the ground (250 m below sea level).
At the entrance to Jericho striking contrast between the scorched desert around and the fresh lush green city that is growing due to the abundance of sources and winter flows of water rushing from the nearby mountains.
Jericho - one of the hottest points in the country. Climate and vegetation in it tropical.
Josephus called this place "fertile land of Judea," or "Gd's country." Name of Jericho comes from the word "yareah" - month, moon.
At all times, through Jericho advancing troops were pilgrims and traders. Jericho was the first city to win the children of Israel came into the Promised Land. He was standing at an important trade route.
"Who will take Jericho, he can be the master of the whole of Eretz-Israel", said our ancestors who came from Mizraim.
During excavations of ancient Jericho, archaeologists found 23 layers of civilization. The lowest belongs to the Stone Age. The first inhabitants of the city to build houses and walls of the roughest stones and adobe. In Jericho, the city began the civilization of mankind. And for three thousand years BC. er. Jericho has become a thriving city, surrounded by a powerful wall. For two thousand years BC. er. City destroyed the nomads, but soon rebuilt, was surrounded by a wall, and he became, it seemed impregnable to come here and the children of Israel. But they have conquered him.
Yeshua bin-Nunu had a vision: a man with a sword, by the mouth of which Gd promised to pass the impregnable city of the people of Israel. Before the outbreak of hostilities, Yeshua Bin-Nun he decided to explore the city walls of Jericho. When he was approached for this purpose to the city, suddenly close to him he saw a man with a drawn sword. "Our Do you, or for our adversaries?" - Asked him a brave leader. "No, I'm captain of the host of the Lord," - replied the stranger (5:13 - 14). Yeshua Bin-Nun, bowed to the ground and in deference to the sanctity of the place, he took command of shoes. The entire Jewish people should six days, one at a time, to circumvent the Jericho with the Ark of the Covenant, but the seventh day around it seven times. He then sign their leader had to cry out loud - and at this time, with Gd, through the walls of Jericho collapse. Yeshua Bin-Nun did. For six consecutive days the Israelis were leaving the camp and once a day, a solemn procession marched around the walls at a distance safe from the arrows and stony projectiles. Besieged climbed the wall and with astonishment and fear of watching these acts, knowing that they concealed some evil magic sense. For since, as is Jericho has never happened that the assailants acted as incomprehensible. It was in this something disturbing that expose the spirit of the besieged ordeal. At the head of the procession in order of battle were armed men. Right behind them came the priests and the blare of silver trumpets. Then there was a group of Levites who on gilded poles solemnly carried the relic of our people - the Ark of the Covenant. The rear was a procession of a crowd of women, children and old men in formal attire. Everything went silent and the air resounded only play loud pipes. At dawn on the seventh day of Yeshua Bin-Nun once again brought his people from the camp and walked six times around the walls, keeping, as before, a strict silence. However, making the seventh circle, the people on this signal shouted - and this time a miracle: the walls of Jericho to the ground shook and collapsed. Israeli soldiers from all sides rushed to the city, and the battle began on the streets of Jericho. Gd gave this city destroyed, so, except for Rahab and her family, the Israelis have destroyed all its inhabitants. By the end of the Israelis set fire to the house, turning the castle in ruins. They have not betrayed the flame only gold, silver and copper, for the precious metals have been previously designed for the needs of the LORD's house. The fall of Jericho, inspired the Israelites to further conquests. When the Israeli tribe shared between Knaanskuyu land, they took a fertile valley around Jericho, the tribe of Benjamin. But in the era of the Judges of Jericho came under the power of the king of Eglon moavityanskogo and only in the era of King David once again become an Israeli city.
Jericho was not the only city that has struggled from the tribes of the desert, but also a place of solitude, a refuge for exiles and a haven for those seeking God.
With Jericho started the conquest of the Jews of the Promised Land, and here the tragedy of the last Jewish king Tsedkiyahu before the fall of the First Temple. Jericho was destroyed by the Babylonians, and the inhabitants carried away into captivity. In the Second Temple period Jericho turned into a big city.
In 63 BC. er. in Jericho was ruled by the Romans. The town grew, was famous for its balmy trees, figs and a rich harvest. Anthony gave his beloved city - the Egyptian queen Cleopatra, but the Roman Emperor Augustus took away from her town and gave it to Herod. Herod first plundered Jericho, and then again to strengthen it, and built palaces, a theater, amphitheater, hippodrome, circus and the stadium.
Herod liked to stay in Jericho, to arrange receptions, games and balls. Ill he arrived in Jericho. Foreseeing the approach of death, and knowing that many Jews will be celebrating it, he ordered to gather the most illustrious Jewish men from all over Judea and lock them on the racetrack and in the moment of death chop them: "Then all Judah will cry" (II Flavius. "The Jewish War ").
After Herod's death, his successors continued to build in the city. During the Jewish War (66-73gg.), When the Roman army approached the city, many residents fled to the mountains, while those who remained were killed. Vespasian built in the city and the tower during a three-year siege of Jerusalem to Jericho left part of the 10 th Roman Legion.
In the early Byzantine period (4.), When Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire, Jericho became mandatory for the pilgrims place of pilgrimage.
Among the attractions of the time shows the source of Elisha and the house of harlots Rachab, which hid the two spies sent by Yeshua Bin-Nun
In the 7 th century, with the beginning of the Arab conquests, the pilgrims stopped to visit Jericho. For a while the fertile lands of Jericho had been in the possession of the Bedouin. To 7-9 cc. are already producing cane sugar, then unknown in Europe. The city has reached an unprecedented peak. By the time the true construction of the majority and still well-preserved aqueducts and mills. At the same time the construction of magnificent palaces of the Caliph Hisham al.
In 9. Jericho hit by strong earthquake that led to his downfall. In 1099 Jericho without a fight, surrendered to the crusaders and the newly flourishing trade, there are pilgrims.
In the late 12 century. When a Muslim warlord Salladin sent an army to conquer the Jordan Valley, Jericho again surrenders without a fight. Again, the city is in decline. Flowering ground is covered with thorns. Impoverished residents live in the hut.
During the British mandate the number of inhabitants rose to thousands (931 Muslim, 92 Christian, 5 Jewish) By 1948, there lived 2500 inhabitants. After the end of the War of Independence Jericho went to the Kingdom of Jordan, and near the city appeared large refugee camp. During the Six Day War, Jericho went to Israel and the refugees have gone to Jordan. The city was again at the crossroads of trade routes. Were built schools and gymnasiums. 60% of the population engaged in agriculture. Since 1994, Jericho is a member of the Palestinian Authority.
Today, Jericho - the small pretty town, populated mostly by Arabs. Thanks to abundant sources of fresh water it is surrounded by dense vegetation. The main street of the city is filled with outdoor restaurants, but as a result of the uprising of Palestinians in the city a little deserted look.
