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Nazareth History

Nazareth travel guide

The Importance of Nazareth in the Christian Tradition

Nazareth was a small and insignificant village during the period of Jesus. While the site was settled during the period 600-900 BCE, it was too small to be included in the list of settlements of the tribe of Zebulon (Joshua 19:10-16), which mentions twelve towns and six villages. Nazareth is not included among the 45 cities of the Galilee that were mentioned by Josephus, and her name is missing from the 63 towns in Galilee mentioned in the Talmud.It seems that the words of Nathanel of Cana, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” (John 1:47) characterized the site’s seeming insignificance. It is needless to say that the people of Judea had never heard of Nazareth.
And from this we understand the reason that Pontius Pilate decorates the cross with the sign “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews” (John 19:19) – meaning that the “King of the Jews” is from “nowhere.” The early name “Nazarenes” given to the Christians might have been a derogatory nickname that the people of Judea gave to the followers of Jesus (Matthew 26:71, Acts 6:38). Jesus was known throughout the Galilee as “Jesus of Nazareth” (Matthew 21:11 , Mark 14:67) – but for those not from the Galilee, this name had no meaning for them. In order to explain where Nazareth was located, the Galileans had to explain that the village was near Gat-Hyefer (Jonah’s hometown,Kings II 14:25), which could be seen from Nazareth. Archeological excavations conducted in Nazareth (by Bagati since 1955) show that Nazareth was a small agricultural village settled by a few dozen families.
The pottery remains testify to a continuous settlement during the period 600-900 BCE. After those years, there was a break in settlement until the year 200 BCE.

Since then, the site of Nazareth has been consistently inhabited. Most of the archeological finds consist of caves, cisterns and grain storage bins. The agricultural character of the site is made obvious with the discoveries of oil mills and mill stones. There were a large number of underground rooms because the soft chalk of Nazareth made it easy to hew caves.
Nazareth is located between the open space of the Jezreel valley and the mountainous regions of the Galilee. The valley and its history were well known to the Jews of Nazareth in the time of Jesus.During the first 20 years of his life that he spent in Nazareth, Jesus had many an opportunity to walk on the mountain ranges, to look over and think about the history of his people. The great battles that had taken place in the valley, together with the great hopes that were dashed with their losses, must have affected and shaped his view on life. The valley of Jezreel, as it is seen from Nazareth, is a natural battlefield. This fact must have influenced the idea of “…all the holders of swords shall fall by the sword,” (Matthew 28:52). Another geographical area adjacent to Nazareth was the lower Galilee and the Beti Netofa valley.

In this region there were many small Jewish villages and towns settled by Hellenized Syrians. The largest of these towns was Tzippori, the capital of the Galilee until the year 18 BCE. Even though Tzippori is a 45- minute-walk from Nazareth, the town is not mentioned in the New Testament. The main events in Jesus’s life, as described in the New Testament, are the annunciation of his birth (Luke 1:26-38),his childhood and early manhood (Luke 2:39-52, Matthew 2:19-23), and the clash with his fellow citizens (Matthew 13:54-58, Luke 4:17-30). From the very first events relating to the life of Jesus in Nazareth, we learn that the people of his village did not approve of his thinking and behavior. To them he was Jesus, one of the sons of Joseph the carpenter (the other brothers were James, Joseph, Simeon and Judah – Matthew 13:55). Luke describes with great drama how Jesus was rejected by the people of Nazareth. After his sermon in the synagogue aroused their anger, the people took him “and brought him to the precipice of the mountain that their city was built upon” (Luke 4). Some have pointed out that this sentence in Luke is not correct, as Nazareth is built in a valley and not on a mountain. But the valley of Nazareth is on a mountain overlooking the Jezreel valley – and the mountain of the precipice overlooks the valley of Nazaret and the valley of Jezreel.

Nazareth is also holy to Christians because it throws light on the holy family, especially Mary, the mother of Jesus. This is the place where a Christian believer can consider Mary’s qualities. Her character as a noble woman, a woman of purity, simplicity, sensitivity and pureness of heart. Mary is portrayed as a mother who devotes herself to the education of her son and remains devoted to him in the most trying of circumstances (she was present at his crucifixation – John 19:25 – and recognized him as the messiah – Acts 2:36). For Catholics, Mary has a special significance – and her special place in the New Testament is hinted at in the verses”Blessed art though of women” (Luke1:41) and “Peace unto thee woman of grace, God be with you” (Luke 1:28).

Dr. James Fleming

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Tabor Stream - A Natural Gem in the Heart of the Lower Galilee

Tabor Stream, one of the most beautiful nature sites in the Lower Galilee, offers a refreshing hiking experience for the whole family. The year-round flowing water and stunning spring blossoms make it an ideal destination for nature lovers. Information and Preparations for the Trail - Moderate difficulty level, with a challenging ascent at the end. Suitable for experienced children or parents with carriers. - Bring hiking shoes, water (3 liters per person), and start the trail no later than 2:00 PM. - No trash cans along the trail - please keep it clean and take your garbage with you. - No dogs allowed (except guide dogs). - SOS WIFI system available for emergency assistance. Two Trail Options 1. Long circular route (approx. 8 km, 3-4 hours) 2. Shorter scenic circular route (approx. 3 km) Getting There - From Highway 65, turn east at Gazit Junction towards Kibbutz Gazit. Park near the start of the red trail. Description of the Long Trail - Head east on the red trail, descend to the stream bed and continue north on the blue trail. - Along the way: diverse vegetation, a basalt canyon with waterfalls and pools, and scenic lookouts. You can dip your feet in the water (bathing not recommended). - Pass by the ancient Tel Rechesh and continue with a steep ascent to the Oren Lifshitz lookout. - Continue on the blue trail, then the black trail, and back to the red trail until the starting point. Short Trail - Start eastward on the red trail, turn left onto the green trail to the lookout. - Continue on the blue trail around the Kibbutz Gazit orchard, without descending to the stream. - Return via the black trail and back to the red trail until the parking area. Important Notes - Check the weather and act responsibly. After rain - high boots are recommended. - The trails are recommendations only. Accommodation and Further Trips The nearby Old City of Nazareth offers a tour of picturesque alleys, a visit to the Basilica of the Annunciation, and excellent restaurants. Consider staying overnight and continuing your trip in the north the next day.

Christmas celebrations Nazareth

There are lots of places in Israel where you can experience the Christmas atmosphere every December. Many cities take part in the festivities, including Haifa, Jerusalem, the Western Galilee, and Nazareth, among others. In Nazareth, we are provided with high-quality goods and the Christmas celebrations are perhaps the closest to what is happening around the world. There are a lot of lights and holiday decorations all over the city, with magnificent fir trees, street shows and singing performances, and even the smallest alleys are decorated. It's a big celebration in the city. The city will be decorated with thousands of lights and the Christmas experience will include the lighting of the fir tree in the center of St. Anton and colorful Christmas markets throughout the city and in hotels. In addition, there will be a Christmas Parade, food fairs and a variety of unique music and cultural performances in churches and halls with many international musicians. Throughout the period there will be lots of things to do and places to visit.

One day tour - Nazareth, Capernaum and the Jordan River

Cruise Ship Excursion from Haifa only - Nazareth, Sea of Galilee, Capernaum (1 day) Trip Duration: One Day Trip Schedule: The trip begins in northern Nazareth with a visit to the Church of the Annunciation, one of the holiest Christian sites. According to Christian belief, the church was built on the site where the Virgin Mary lived, and where the angel Gabriel told her that she was pregnant with the son of God. From there we will continue to Capernaum, along the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus lived. We will visit the Church of the Multiplication, in Tabgha, where Jesus carried out the miracle of the loaves and fishes. We will continue driving through the city of Tiberias to the Yardenit baptism site, on the Jordan River. Must Bring: Hat/head covering, comfortable walking shoes. Please Note: Visitors must wear modest dress to holy sites (head covering, covered shoulders, pants or long skirts).

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