Hatzor

Hatzor (usually spelled Hazor) was a very important city just north of the Sea of Galilee. It's importance was due to its site along the major international road leading from Egypt to Babylon. Hatzor is also important for biblical studies because serveral major events happen in the city which can be connected with places actually found at the site.

The first mention of Hatzor is in Joshua 11, when Joshua kills all those in Hatzor and destroyes the city by fire. Hatzor is one of only a few cities which were physically destroyed during the exile. The second major story about Hatzor is found in Judges 4 and the story of Deborah and Barak. They fight Jabin, who was king of Hatzor. Since he is also called the king of the Canaanites, it seems that Hatzor was a very large and important city of the time. A Canaanite palace has been found at Hatzor which might be from this time period.  There is also a burn level that dates to around this time. 

During the Israelite period, Solomon fortified  Hatzor (1 Kings 9:15). This is seen today in the Solomonic gate at Hatzor which dates back to the time of Solomon. A century after Solomon a water system was dug to allow access to water during a siege. 

Unfortunately for those at Hatzor, these measurs did not help much and the city fell to the Assyrians (2 Kings 15:29). 

The tel at Hatzor is one of the largest in Israel. Even though digging at Hatzor has gone on for decades, only a small percentage of the site has actually been dug. They are currently searching for a library at Hatzor, and I hope that I am alive to see the day when they find it.  

 This is the remains of the Canaanite palace. 

This is the Solomonic gate. Notice the small rooms inside the gate.  

Looking down into the water system. It actually contains past the end of the covering for several more feet.  

Login to add comments