Believer In Yeshua
Magdala (& Tiberias)
The Magdala Mosaic now located at Capernaum came from this site (arrowed). Whilst not mentioned in the Bible, Magdala seems to have been the home or birthplace of Mary Magdalene who is mentioned a total of 12 times in the four gospels.
A few late New Testament manuscripts mention "Magdala" (Matthew 15:39 KJV), earlier manuscripts however read "Magadan". Magdala is located on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee. It is about 4 miles north of Tiberias, which can be seen at the top left of this picture.
"Magdala" in Hebrew means "tower". In New Testament times the city was quite Hellenised. Because of the importance of its salted-fish industry it was known by the Greek name "Tarichea".
If you look closely at the shore line you should be able to make out the ancient harbor of this town.
New archaeological excavations have recently taken place here. These excavations have revealed what has been announced as a first century synagogue. There are a number of confirmed first century synagogues in Israel - e.g. Masada, Herodium, Gamla & Jericho. The synagogue at Magdala does not seem to share the same characteristics as these other confirmed synagogues and further work is needed to confirm this discovery.
Amongst the finds in this synagogue was a decorative carved stone set into the middle of its main floor. This carved stone carries on one of its sides a depiction of a Menorah (Seven-branched lampstand). This has, possibly inaccurately, been described as "the earliest depiction of the Menorah in the Temple of Jerusalem", however there are a number of other depictions, none in the same style as this one. It has also been said that the artist must have seen the Menorah in the Temple - again, this is unlikely as only Priests & Levites would have had this privilege (although many Levites had been trained in working stone at this time).
This archaeological site will eventually form an integral part of a visitor's centre at this site, open to the public. We look forward to the publication of the excavation records.
(Tiberias can be seen in the distance.)
Magdala (& Tiberias)
The Magdala Mosaic now located at Capernaum came from this site (arrowed). Whilst not mentioned in the Bible, Magdala seems to have been the home or birthplace of Mary Magdalene who is mentioned a total of 12 times in the four gospels.
A few late New Testament manuscripts mention "Magdala" (Matthew 15:39 KJV), earlier manuscripts however read "Magadan". Magdala is located on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee. It is about 4 miles north of Tiberias, which can be seen at the top left of this picture.
"Magdala" in Hebrew means "tower". In New Testament times the city was quite Hellenised. Because of the importance of its salted-fish industry it was known by the Greek name "Tarichea".
If you look closely at the shore line you should be able to make out the ancient harbor of this town.
New archaeological excavations have recently taken place here. These excavations have revealed what has been announced as a first century synagogue. There are a number of confirmed first century synagogues in Israel - e.g. Masada, Herodium, Gamla & Jericho. The synagogue at Magdala does not seem to share the same characteristics as these other confirmed synagogues and further work is needed to confirm this discovery.
Amongst the finds in this synagogue was a decorative carved stone set into the middle of its main floor. This carved stone carries on one of its sides a depiction of a Menorah (Seven-branched lampstand). This has, possibly inaccurately, been described as "the earliest depiction of the Menorah in the Temple of Jerusalem", however there are a number of other depictions, none in the same style as this one. It has also been said that the artist must have seen the Menorah in the Temple - again, this is unlikely as only Priests & Levites would have had this privilege (although many Levites had been trained in working stone at this time).
This archaeological site will eventually form an integral part of a visitor's centre at this site, open to the public. We look forward to the publication of the excavation records.
(Tiberias can be seen in the distance.)