DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.10357#0350
3i6
PICTURESQUE PALESTINE.
whole East, it may be taken as an index, to a large degree, of the entire province of Galilee,
which, with the exception of the country east of the Jordan, was the most fertile portion of the
Holy Land. Josephus says : " It is throughout rich in soil and pasturage, producing every
variety of tree, and inviting by its productiveness even those who have the least inclination for
agriculture ; it is everywhere tilled, no part allowed to lie idle, and is everywhere productive "
(" Wars," iii. 3, 2, 3). The Rabbis said : " The land of Naphtali is everywhere covered with
fruitful fields and vines, and the fruits of this region are renowned for their wonderful sweetness."
Rabbi Yose, the Galilean, who flourished at the beginning of the second century of our era,
ON THE SHORE OF THE LAKE, AT ET TABIGHAH, THE SUPPOSED SITE OF BETHSAIDA.
An oleander in full bloom grows among the rocks, and storks are characteristically hovering over the lake.
said: " For sixteen miles about Sepphoris " (see page 286) "the region is fertile, flowing with
milk and honey." The words of Moses, in his farewell address, indicate that this was a region
of great natural fertility and beauty, when he speaks of it as a land " full of the blessing of
Jehovah" (Deut. xxxiii. 23). Renan, with glowing language, describes this portion of Palestine,
even in its decadence, as " a country very green, and full of shade and pleasantness, the true
country of the Canticle of Canticles and of the songs of the well-beloved " (" Life of Jesus,"
p. 96, English translation). From many hints that could be gathered, we have reason to
believe that in the time of our Lord the resources of the soil were fully developed by skilful
PICTURESQUE PALESTINE.
whole East, it may be taken as an index, to a large degree, of the entire province of Galilee,
which, with the exception of the country east of the Jordan, was the most fertile portion of the
Holy Land. Josephus says : " It is throughout rich in soil and pasturage, producing every
variety of tree, and inviting by its productiveness even those who have the least inclination for
agriculture ; it is everywhere tilled, no part allowed to lie idle, and is everywhere productive "
(" Wars," iii. 3, 2, 3). The Rabbis said : " The land of Naphtali is everywhere covered with
fruitful fields and vines, and the fruits of this region are renowned for their wonderful sweetness."
Rabbi Yose, the Galilean, who flourished at the beginning of the second century of our era,
ON THE SHORE OF THE LAKE, AT ET TABIGHAH, THE SUPPOSED SITE OF BETHSAIDA.
An oleander in full bloom grows among the rocks, and storks are characteristically hovering over the lake.
said: " For sixteen miles about Sepphoris " (see page 286) "the region is fertile, flowing with
milk and honey." The words of Moses, in his farewell address, indicate that this was a region
of great natural fertility and beauty, when he speaks of it as a land " full of the blessing of
Jehovah" (Deut. xxxiii. 23). Renan, with glowing language, describes this portion of Palestine,
even in its decadence, as " a country very green, and full of shade and pleasantness, the true
country of the Canticle of Canticles and of the songs of the well-beloved " (" Life of Jesus,"
p. 96, English translation). From many hints that could be gathered, we have reason to
believe that in the time of our Lord the resources of the soil were fully developed by skilful