JUDAEAN HILL COUNTRY

Rugged landscape such as this covers much of the Holy Land to the south and east of Jerusalem.

The hill country of Judaea is about 35 miles long and 17 miles wide. Much of the land is stony and difficult to cultivate. The hills are broken up by valleys in which the land is fairly fruitful. The earliest Israelites lived in these hills, using them for protection against invaders. Jerusalem is located in this area.

Significant Events:
The Lord promised this land to Abraham and his seed (Gen. 13:14-18; 17:5). Sarah and Abraham were buried in the cave of Machpelah, in Hebron (Gen. 23:19; 25:9). Jacob stopped en route to Haran and dreamed of a ladder with angels of God ascending and descending. He called the place Bethel, meaning “house of God” (Gen. 28:10-22). Samuel judged here (1 Sam. 7:16). David captured Jerusalem from the Jebusites (2 Sam. 5:4-9). More Old Testament events are recorded as taking place in these hills than in any other region. (See Bible Dictionary, “Judaea.”)