Holy Land (Biblical)
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- For other uses, see Holy Land.
The Holy Land is the territory where the Biblical stories took place, those described by the Tanakh or those by the New Testament. The concept had its evolution in the same Scriptures. For some Biblical authors the territory was marked by the concept of Promised Land, but for others it refers to those events in any place related to the People of Israel.
[edit] The name
The name "Holy Land" is related to a sacred concept of religiosity according with the Judean - Christian idea. The "Land" becomes "Holy" or "Sacred" when it comes in contact with the plan of salvation of God. In this same way, we can talk about "holy men and women" and "holy sites and objects". Therefore, holiness does not come from the object or subject itself, but only in the moment it has to see with the divine reality, which is the "Genuine Holy".
The Holy Land is also mentioned in the Qur'an: Moses said unto his people "O my people, enter the Holy Land ("al-arda-l-muqaddasata"), which Allah hath decreed you." (The Qur'an, 5:21).
[edit] Geography
Nowadays it is understood as "Holy Land" all the places where were developed the Biblical facts, either in the Tanakh or in the New Testament. Such definition gives a wide rank of subdivisions. In such case, Holy Land becomes in more or less grade the following modern countries:
- Israel in its whole.
- Palestinian Authority, especially the West Bank.
- Jordan, the ancient territory of the Tribes of Menasheh-east, Gad and Reuben.
- Egypt, the territory where the Chosen People stayed for 400 years. This country would become also the origin of the Christian Monachism.
- Iran, the homeland of Abraham.
- Syria, territory of ancient rivalities with Israel (the Assyrian), land of refugee of Elijah and the place of the conversion of Paul.
[edit] More important places
Within that vast territory, it is possible to point out a list of the most important places:
- Jerusalem, known as the Holy City by the main Monotheist Religions: Judaism, Christianism and Islam. It is sure the most important place of the Holy Land.
- Bethlehem (West Bank), the born city of King David and Jesus.
- Nazareth (Israel), the place where Jesus grown.
- Mount Sinai, (Egypt), the place where Moses and Israel received the Divine Revelation.
- Jordan River, many facts and Biblical characters as Joshua, Elijah and Jesus.
- Sea of Galilee (Israel), known also as Lake of Kinneret, it has to see with the first facts of the public life of Jesus, especially where the 12 Apostles were elected.
- The Judean Desert (Israel and southern West Bank), is has to see with Biblical events, characters, battles, Divine manifestations, profets and other happenings.
