One
verse. I’m covering one verse. In actuality only one-half of one
verse. Another three and a half verses will come into play with the next post
to the blog. First though it’s important to focus on the “where” in this part
of the story. The “where” will have significance on the “who” and the “why”
later.
After
having spent time in Bethsaida (“house of the hunt”; the fertile delta at the
upper Jordan River), Jesus and his disciples walk north for 25 miles on the road
to Caesarea Philippi – ending up on the outskirts of the city.
And
there you have it. For most people, they’ll keep on reading… past the surface mention
of this city (and something jaw-dropping happening to its north). Not us!
The
outskirts of the fertile city (at the foot of Mount Hermon in the Golan
Heights), with its numerous springs and flowing streams, where Jesus and his
followers arrived was known as Banias (as well as a multitude of other names).
Let’s
go wayyyyy back in time… Ever heard of the deity “Baal”? Well, this was a major
connector to the area, which was “apparently known as Baal Hermon and Baal Gad
in the Old Testament period.” [i] The pre-Hellenic deity
Baal was associated with the site, and was a title used for various gods (even
human officials). Baal meant “master” or “lord.” [ii]
“The
Baal cult provided the greatest and most enduring threat to the exclusive
worship of Yahweh among the ancient Israelites. …Originating perhaps in the
observation of the fertilizing effects of rains and streams upon the receptive
and reproductive soil, Baal worship became identical with nature-worship.” [iii] A match not made in
heaven – between Baal and this area. Now, let’s move forward a bit in time to…
The
3rd century BCE and Alexander the Great. “The conquests of Alexander
the Great brought the Greeks to the East, [and to this area]. The Greeks were
taken by the natural beauty of the site, touched particularly by the cave in
which the springs welled.” [iv] “This abundant water
supply made the area very fertile and attractive for religious worship.” [v] In this Hellensitic
period, “the Ptolemaic kings, in the 3rd century BCE, built a cult
center there.” [vi]
They “sanctified the cave, dedicating it to Pan, god of the forest and
shepherds. [They named the area] Panias, later becoming Banias in Arabic
pronunciation.” [vii]
To
share more about Pan from Greek religion and mythology, he is “the god of the
wild, shepherds and flocks, nature, of mountain wilds, hunting and rustic
music, and companion of the nymphs.” [viii] Also, “Pan is connected
to fertility and the season of spring; a goat-footed god of victory in battle
[creator of panic in the enemy],… and of sexual and spiritual possession.” [ix]
The
temenos (sacred precinct), also known
as the Sanctuary of Pan, “was
constructed on an elevated, 80-meter long natural terrace along the cliff which
towered over the north of the city.” [x] This Sanctuary included temples,
courtyards, a grotto and niches for ritual worship.
“The
Pan cave was special, due to the deep natural chasm in the floor, which led to
ground water. Animal sacrifices were thrown into this chasm.” [xi] “If the victims
disappeared in the water, this was a sign that the god had accepted the
offering. If, however, signs of blood appeared in the nearby springs, the
sacrifice had been rejected.” [xii]
“In
20 BCE, the Panion [the region of the Greek God Pan] including Banias was
annexed to the Kingdom of Herod the Great. Herod erected a temple of ‘white
marble’ in Banias in honor of his patron [Roman emperor Augustus Caesar].” [xiii]
On
my journey to Israel almost 10 years ago, I toured this archeological site with
Rabbi Brian Zimmerman and members of his synagogue – Congregation Beth Am
(Tampa, Florida). An artist’s impression of the Sanctuary of Pan was posted on the grounds.
To
assist in your viewing pleasure, the Temple
of Augustus erected by Herod was to the far left in the picture. Behind the
temple was the Grotto of the God Pan
(the cave). To its immediate right was the Court
of Pan and the Nymphs. To its right (center in the impression) was the Temple of Zeus. By its right side in a
narrow area was the Court of Nemesis.
At the far right was the Tomb Temple of
the Sacred Goats (with entry below and the ability to walk above it).
Finally, to the right (bottom of the picture) was the Temple of Pan and the Dancing Goats.
Eventually,
Herod’s son, Philip the Tetrarch (called Herod Philip II by some writers; whose
birth name was Philip ben Herod [born
to Cleopatra of Jerusalem who was Herod the Great’s fifth wife]), inherited the
northeastern part of the Kingdom of Herod the Great, which included Banias.
“Augustus Caesar made his own division of Herod’s kingdom, giving one half to
Herod Archelaus, while dividing the other half into two, going to Herod Antipas
and Philip.” [xiv]
Philip the Tetrarch, unlike his half-brothers, “did not use Herod as a dynastic
name.” [xv]
Philip
the Tetrarch married Salome (daughter of Herodias and Herod II – also called
Herod Philip I). As you may remember, Salome played a huge role in the
execution of John the Baptist (MARK 6:17-28).
With
this inheritance, Philip the Tetrarch came into rule in 4 BCE (until his death
in 34 CE) and “founded a city at Banias, which became the administrative capital
of Philip’s large tetrarchy.” [xvi] At some point in the 1st
century CE with the date unclear, Philip “changed the city’s name from Caesarea
to Caesarea Philippi so that it would not be confused with the coastal city of
Caesarea, the capital of the territory ruled by his brother Herod Antipas.” [xvii]
The
Sanctuary of Pan “continued its pagan
activity well into the age of Christianity in the Byzantine era (4th
to 6th century CE), but in time, the temples near the cave were
neglected or ruined. The date and circumstances of the sanctuary’s destruction
are not known.” [xviii]
Two
photos from my trip follow. One shows the Court
of Pan and the Nymphs with the ritual niche hewn into the cliff above the
courtyard; the other, I am standing by the calm Banias stream (that no longer
rushes by). Behind me is where the Temple
of Augustus stood with the Grotto of
Pan (the cave).
Through
the years, through the hands of conquering armies, the name of this area has
changed numerous times; however, Banias it remains until today.
We
now have the “where.” The “who” and the “why” are about to come into focus.
NEXT
The
Jewish ideas of the Messiah; why Banias; why “hush, hush”
[i]
Caesarea Philippi – www.bibleplaces.com
[ii]
Carthage, a History – Serge Lancel,
p. 194
[iii]
Baal -- Wikipedia
[iv]
“The Sanctuary of Pan” signage at Banias archeological site
[v]
Caesarea Philippi – www.bibleplaces.com
[vi]
Banias -- Wikipedia
[vii]
“The Sanctuary of Pan” signage at Banias archeological site
[viii]
“The Lycidas of Theocritus Idyll 7” –
Edwin L. Brown
[ix]
Pan (god) & Banias -- Wikipedia
[x]
Banias -- Wikipedia
[xi]
“The Sanctuary of Pan” signage at Banias archeological site
[xii]
“The Grotto of the God Pan” signage at Banias archeological site
[xiii]
Banias -- Wikipedia
[xiv]
Antiquities – Flavius Josephus
[xv]
Cambridge Ancient History, Vol. 10, The Augustan Empire, 43 BC-AD 69 – Bowman,
Champlin, Lintott
[xvi]
Banias -- Wikipedia
[xvii]
Living Application Bible, p. 1750
[xviii]
“The Sanctuary of Pan” signage at Banias archeological site
