Treasure Digest
Quiz: Places, Past and Present
There are hundreds of place names in the Bible, but many have faded without a trace into obscurity. Some, however, have survived—as ruins, as monuments or as headlines in the news today. Match the biblical locations with the proper description. (Descriptions taken from The Lion Encyclopedia of the Bible, Pat Alexander, editor, 1987, pp. 253-278.)
___1. A city founded by Nimrod. It covered a huge area on both banks of the Euphrates. It was famous for its "hanging gardens." When King Nebuchadnezzar conquered Jerusalem, he sent Jews, including Ezekiel and Daniel, into exile here. It was eventually conquered by the Persian king Cyrus. Nothing remains of this city today except scattered mounds, located about 50 miles south of modern Baghdad.
___2. Once a Philistine stronghold, Joshua conquered and then lost this city. Samson was put in prison and died here. Philip met the Ethiopian official on his way here. Its locale has been prominent in the recent Middle East turmoil.
___3. Capital of Edom. Its name means "rock" or "cliff." It was a fortress city built on a rocky mountain plateau. Nabateans carved out the city of Petra in the rocky valley at the foot of the original settlement.
___4. A city in the Lycus Valley of western Turkey. In New Testament times it prospered in trade and banking. It was noted for clothing made of glossy black wool, and also medicinal eye powder. Epaphras helped Paul by ministering to the church here. John cautioned members to keep an eye on their temperatures. Nothing physically remains today but ruins. Its attitude, however, is another story.
___5. The birthplace of King David, five miles southwest of Jerusalem. Jacob's wife Rachel was buried near here. Ruth and Naomi settled here. Micah prophesied that the Messiah would be born here. Today this city is under the control of the Palestinian Authority.
___6. Located in a coastal mountain range in Israel, this is the site of the showdown between Elijah and the prophets of Baal. In modern history, during World War I, this location played a strategic role in the Battle of Megiddo when General Allenby led the British to victory. Several small towns and the city of Haifa (which has recently been attacked by Hezbollah) are situated in its environs.
(a) Laodicea (Colossians 2:1; 4:12-13, 16; Revelation 1:11; 3:14-22)
(b) Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:19-46)
(c) Bethlehem (Genesis 35:19; Ruth; Micah 5:2)
(d) Sela (2 Kings 14:7; Isaiah 16:1; 42:11)
(e) Gaza (Joshua 10:41; Judges 16; Acts 8:26)
(f) Babylon (Genesis 10:10; 2 Kings 24:1; 25:7-13)
Answers: 1. f; 2. e; 3. d; 4. a; 5. c; 6. b