BET SHEAN

Bet Shean is located 16 miles south of the Sea of Galilee at an altitude of 322 feet below sea level. It sits in the middle of an arid land and is virtually surrounded by water. Eighteen different occupation levels have been identified in the Tel. The Talmud says, "If the garden of Eden is in Israel, then its gate is in Bet Shean."

There is evidence that the first settlers at Bet Shean came about 4,000 BC. The first written evidence is in Egyptian texts in the 19C BC. Bet Shean was a place that was enjoyable to live. It had many advantages in a land that was rugged and demanding. One of its major strengths was water. The water was used for agriculture. It enabled people to live here continuously for nearly 5,000 years.

Saul fought the Philistines on Mount Gilboa in 1010 BC and was defeated. First Samuel 31 says they hung his body on the wall of Bet Shean. Later, the Biblical text tells us that David conquered the Philistines at Bet Shean.

Bet Shean was an interesting place to visit. It has a huge Roman theater that will seat 5,000 people. The Roman City was called Scythopolis and was an important city for trade in this area of the Roman Empire.