Golan 303633 218716600 2008-06-11T21:21:27Z Eubot 231599 Hatnote formatting, see [[User:Eubot/Hatnote formatting]] {{for|the Golan '''region'''|Golan Heights}} {{ otheruses2|Golan }} :''This article was originally based on an entry from a [[public domain]] edition of the [[International Standard Bible Encyclopedia]]. As such, some of the information contained herein may be outdated. Please edit the article if this is the case, and feel free to remove this notice when it is no longer relevant.'' '''Golan''' or '''Gaulonitis''' ([[Hebrew language|Hebrew]]: גּולן, gōlān; [[Greek language|Greek]]: Γαυλανῖτις, Gaulanítis) is an ancient city in the [[Land of Israel]]. It was in the territory of [[Manasseh]] in the area of [[Bashan]], and it was the most northerly of the three [[cities of refuge]] east of the [[Jordan River]] (Deuteronomy 4:43). Manasseh gave this city to the [[Gershonite]] [[Levites]] (Joshua 21:27). It must have been a great and important city in its day, but the site cannot now be determined with any certainty. ==Historical accounts== The city was known to [[Josephus]] (Ant. 13, 15, 3). Near Golan, [[Alexander Jannaeus]] was ambushed by [[Obodas]], king of the [[Arabians]], and his army. Crowded together in a narrow and deep valley, Alexander was broken in pieces by the multitude of camels (BJ, 1, 4, 4). This incident is located at [[Gadara]] (Ant. 13, 13, 5). However, Golan was later destroyed by Alexander. It had already given its name to a large district, Gaulanitis (BJ, 3, 3, 1, 5; 4, 1, 1). It formed the eastern boundary of [[Galilee]]. It was part of the [[tetrarchy]] of Philip (Ant. 17, 13, 1; 18, 4, 6). The city was known to [[Eusebius]] as "a large village" giving its name to the surrounding country [[Onomasticon]] (Greek: Γαυλών, Gaulō̇n). This country must have corresponded roughly with the modern [[Jaulān]] in which the ancient name is preserved. ==Current status== The boundaries of the province today are [[Hermon|Mount Hermon]] to the north, [[Jordan]] and the [[Sea of Galilee]] to the west, the [[Yarmouk River]] to the south, and the [[Allan River]] to the east. This [[plateau]], which in the north is about 3,000 ft high, slopes gradually southward to a height of about 1,000 ft. It is made entirely of [[igneous rock]], and there are many cone-like peaks of extinct [[volcanoes]], especially toward the north. It affords good land for [[pasture|pasturing]], and it has long been a favorite summer grazing ground of the [[nomads]]. Traces of ancient forests remain, but for the most part today it is treeless. To the east of the [[Sea of Galilee]], the soil is deep and rich. Splendid crops of [[wheat]] are grown here, and [[olives]] flourish in the hollows. The country is furrowed by deep valleys that carry the water southwestward into the Sea of Galilee. This region has not yet been subjected to a thorough examination, but many important ruins have been found which tell of a plentiful and prosperous population in ancient times. The best description of these, and of the region generally, will be found in [[Schumacher]]'s ''[[The Jaulan]]'' and ''[[Across the Jordan]]''. To him also we owe the excellent maps which carry us eastward to the [[province]] of [[Hauran|el-Haurān]]. Schumacher inclines to the belief that the ancient Golan may be located in [[Sahm el-Jaulān]] (a large village 4 miles east of [[Nahr ‛Allān]] and 4 miles southeast of [[Tsīl]]). The extensive ruins probably date from the early [[Christian Era]]. The buildings are of stone, many of them of spacious dimensions, while the streets are wide and straight. The inhabitants are not more than 280. The surrounding soil is rich and well watered, bearing excellent crops. Standing in the open country, it would be seen from afar; and it was easily accessible from all directions. ==References== * [http://www.studylight.org/enc/isb/view.cgi?number=T3866 The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia] ==See also== *[[Golan Heights]] [[Category:Archaeological sites in Israel]] [[Category:Archaeological sites in Syria]] [[Category:Hebrew Bible cities]] [[cy:Golan (Beibl)]]