STOP 4 | TEL MEGIDDO – Witness kingdoms come and go
- Regina Liu
- Sep 16
- 2 min read
HIGHLIGHTS
Megiddo holds a profound place within the biblical narrative, its name echoing through Scripture from the Old Testament to the Revelation.
In the Hebrew Bible, this strategic site was allotted to the tribe of Manasseh as Joshua led the Israelites into the Promised Land (Joshua 12). It was later fortified by King Solomon as one of his key administrative cities (1 Kings 9:15). Megiddo’s fertile plains witnessed numerous decisive battles: the defeat of Canaanite kings (Judges 5:19), the flight and death of King Ahaziah (2 Kings 9:27), and the fateful encounter between Pharaoh Necho and King Josiah (2 Kings 23:29). Millennia later, in 1918, the Battle of Megiddo saw British forces prevail over the Ottomans, opening the way for the Palestine Mandate.
For Christians, Megiddo takes on eschatological significance: in the Book of Revelation, it is prophesied as Armageddon (from the Hebrew Har Megiddo), the setting of the final great battle.
Along with Hazor and Beer Sheba, Megiddo forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Biblical Tels – Megiddo, Hazor and Beer Sheba. Known as Tel Megiddo, this ancient mound—formed through millennia of successive settlement—reveals 26 distinct layers of civilisation, from Early Bronze Age structures (3500–3100 BCE) to Iron Age remains. It is a testament to the countless generations who have lived, fought, and worshipped on this storied ground.
SITE VISIT
With time short and Nazareth’s closing hours beckoning, we were unable to enter the Megiddo National Park. Instead, we paused briefly along Derech LeMegiddo, just off Highway 66, to observe the tel from a distance. Though I would have relished a closer exploration, I reminded myself that Nazareth—the childhood home of our Lord—awaited, and that this glimpse of Megiddo was a prelude to a future, more thorough visit.
Even from the roadside, the sense of significance was palpable. Looking out across the Plain of Megiddo—a landscape truly flowing with “milk and honey”—I gained a tangible appreciation for this fertile yet contested land, situated at the crossroads of empires and faiths.
A Return, One Day:
This day’s itinerary truly warranted four rather than one—such is the weight of history in this region. While this journey was always intended as an introduction to the north, I left resolved to return.
Next time, I shall explore the archaeological layers of Tel Megiddo in full, learning from each stratum of human endeavour, and perhaps visit a nearby kibbutz to better understand the living landscape. Given a week, I would cycle through the plains in spring, when the land is green and filled with promise, and perhaps even enjoy a concert in the Megiddo Forest—a modern joy in an ancient setting.
One may dream—and indeed, one should—for in a land such as this, the past invites us to listen, and the future awaits with purpose.
STOP 5 | NAZARETH – The Town of Mary, the Childhood Home of Jesus
