The Geography and Climate of the Promised Land

Geographical Zones

GEOGRAPHICAL ZONE	GEOGRAPHY	CULTURE
Coastal Plain	Low in elevation Generally level terrain close to the Mediterranean Sea	Grain agriculture Easily traveled (International Highway) Easily invaded
Central Mountains	High in elevation Steep-sided mountains and narrow, V-shaped valleys (most prominent in south)	Terraced agriculture for olives and fruit Difficult to travel Difficult to invade
Jordan Rift Valley	Elevations below sea level Sea of Galilee, Jordan River, and Dead Sea	North: fishing and agriculture South: mining for salt and bitumen Lightly traveled because of swamps, large-predator attacks, and high temperatures
Transjordan Plateau	Highest in elevation Mountains and high plateaus	North: grain agriculture and cattle Middle: olives and fruit, sheep and goats South: camels and trade Travel on the King’s Highway

The Agricultural Year

Seasons and Culture

Winds

WIND	SOURCE	CULTURAL IMPACT	EXAMPLES
Pressure-Induced Winds	Created as air moves between high and low pressure areas	High winds associated with deep lows of the winter season that can destroy structures and threaten shipping on the Mediterranean Sea	Ezekiel 13:13–14; 27:26; Matthew 7:27; Acts 27:13–14
Mediterranean Sea Breeze	Created during the summer months when air cooled over the Mediterranean Sea moves inland to replace the warm air rising over the land	Celebrated winds that provide natural air-conditioning and a predictable breeze that farmers used to winnow their grain	Job 21:18; Psalm 1:4; Isaiah 17:13
Sharqiya	Created when cool air on the ridges above the Sea of Galilee descends violently into the lake basin	Destructive and unpredictable winds that can catch even experienced fishermen off guard and fill them with terror	Matthew 14:22–24; Mark 4:35–37; Luke 8:22–25
Khamsin	Dry south and southeast winds that bring high temperatures and fill the air with gritty, yellow clouds of dust as the atmosphere changes between seasons	Harsh winds that suddenly and totally decimate pastures and wildflowers in early summer and that irritate people and shorten tempers; a symbol of divine judgment	Psalm 103:15–16; Isaiah 27:8; Jeremiah 18:17; Hosea 12:1; Luke 12:55

Water

In contrast to Egypt or Mesopotamia, where major rivers and irrigation provide access to fresh water, the promised land is dependent on rainfall (Deut. 11:10–11). Because rainfall virtually ceases for seven months of the year (April–October), the rainwater has to be captured or underground water has to be accessed to assure a yearlong supply.

SOURCE FOR WATER	CHARACTERISTICS
Spring	Springs occur naturally when the land’s surface coincides with the elevation of the water table. They offer clean, filtered water with minimum need for development or maintenance.
Well	Wells are shafts dug down to the water table. Their sides are lined with fieldstones to prevent collapse. A cap and cover are added to prevent evaporation and contamination. Yearly maintenance is required.
Cistern	Cisterns are underground chambers dug into bedrock to store runoff water captured during the rainy season. They have a narrow neck near the surface, which widens into a bell-shaped body. A cap and cover are added to prevent evaporation and contamination. Yearly maintenance is required to replace the plaster that waterproofs the sides.
Aqueduct, Tunnel, and Reservoir	These major construction projects, undertaken by strong central governments, are meant to access, move, and store water at locations more convenient for those living in large cities. Yearly maintenance is required.

Rainfall