ShrewdBible

“Be shrewd as serpents, innocent as doves.” β€” Matthew 10:16

Interactive map for pointer and touch. An accessible list of all 29 places, filterable by era, follows below.

Every place in Scripture

29 curated places, each with an honest answer to “how sure are we?” β€” the coloured chip is the class, the line beneath it is the full, unflattened record. Filter by era above.

  1. Ai

    Today: Et-Tell, West Bank

    Patriarchs Early Bronze Age, Iron Age (debated for patriarchal era).

    Abraham pitched his tent between Bethel and Ai (Genesis 12:8). Archaeological findings for the period are debated.

    Well-established

    Archaeological Site (Et-Tell). Debate over whether archaeological findings match biblical narrative for Abraham's time.

    Sources

  2. Beersheba

    Today: Southern Israel (Bir es Seba)

    Patriarchs Patriarchal Era (Middle Bronze Period, c. 2000-1500 BC); Iron Age (c. 1000 BC) for fortified city.

    Abraham and Isaac settled here, known for conflicts over wells (Genesis 21, 26). Jacob offered sacrifices here before descending to Egypt.

    Well-established

    Well-established Archaeological Site (Tel Beer Sheva). Permanent settlement from Iron Age, earlier nomadic presence during Bronze Age.

    Sources

  3. Bethel

    Today: West Bank (near Ramallah)

    PatriarchsMonarchy Patriarchal Era (c. 2000-1600 BC)

    Abraham pitches between Bethel and Ai and calls on the LORD (Genesis 12:8). Jacob, fleeing to Haran, dreams of the stairway/ladder, names the place Bethel (β€œhouse of God”), and vows there (Genesis 28:10-22). The modern identification with Beitin north of Jerusalem is the mainstream archaeological candidate.

    Well-established

    Well-established Archaeological Site (Beitin). Occupation from c. 2200 BC.

    Sources

  4. Bethlehem (Ephrath)

    Today: Beit Sahour/Bethlehem, West Bank

    PatriarchsMonarchyNew Testament Patriarchal Era (Middle Bronze Age) onwards.

    On the road to Ephrath, Rachel dies and is buried; the place is tied to Jacob’s journey south (Genesis 35:16-20). The ancient name pair Bethlehem/Ephrath is already how this record is labeled.

    Well-established

    Well-established Biblical Location, archaeological evidence for early settlement.

    Sources

  5. Dan (Tell el-Qadi)

    Today: Tel Dan, Israel

    Monarchy Iron Age (c. 1000-700 BCE).

    Northern border of Israel; Jeroboam I built a sanctuary here. The Tel Dan Stele, mentioning the 'House of David', was found here. Mentioned in 'The Bible and Archaeology' for its temple complex and dating debates.

    Debated

    Well-established Archaeological Site. Dating of temple complex debated (10th vs. 9th century BCE).

    Sources

  6. Egypt (Land of Goshen)

    Today: Nile Delta, Egypt (Wadi Tumilat/Esh Shurkiyeh)

    PatriarchsExodus Middle Kingdom/Second Intermediate Period (c. 2000-1550 BC) for Israelite sojourn.

    In famine, Jacob’s family goes down to Egypt; Joseph’s household settles in the land of Goshen in the eastern Delta (Genesis 45:9-11, 47:11). Egypt is the repeated refuge when Canaan fails, not a single dig site β€” the pin marks the Delta/Goshen region the house already uses.

    Well-established

    Well-established Historical Region. Evidence of Semitic migrations into Egypt during dry periods in Canaan.

    Sources

  7. Elim

    Today: Wadi Ghurundel, Sinai Peninsula, Egypt

    Exodus New Kingdom (c. 1300 BC)

    Oasis with twelve springs and seventy palm trees (Exodus 15:27).

    Traditional site

    Traditional Location

    Sources

  8. Gath

    Today: Tell es-Safi, Israel

    Monarchy Late Bronze Age, Iron Age (c. 1200-600 BCE).

    One of the five major Philistine cities; Goliath's hometown (1 Samuel). Mentioned as a border city of Canaan (Genesis 10:19).

    Well-established

    Well-established Archaeological Site (Tell es-Safi).

    Sources

  9. Haran

    Today: Southeastern Turkey (near Sanliurfa)

    Patriarchs Patriarchal Era (c. 2000-1800 BC)

    Abraham's family settled here after leaving Ur; he departed from here to Canaan (Genesis 11:31, 12:4-5). Jacob fled here.

    Well-established

    Well-established Archaeological Site

    Sources

  10. Hebron (Mamre)

    Today: West Bank

    PatriarchsMonarchy Patriarchal Era (c. 2000-1600 BC)

    Abraham settles by the oaks of Mamre at Hebron and later buys the cave of Machpelah as a burial place; the patriarchal burials of Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob, and Leah are tied to this site (Genesis 13:18, 23:17-20, 49:29-32). The traditional burial complex is the long-venerated shrine in the city; the archaeological tell (Tel Rumeida) is the settlement mound.

    Well-established

    Well-established Archaeological Site (El Khalil). Occupation from c. 3000 BC.

    Sources

  11. Jacob's Well

    Today: Near Nablus, West Bank

    New Testament NT Period (c. 1st Century AD).

    John’s Gospel places Jesus’ conversation with the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well near Sychar, in Samaritan country (John 4:5-26). The deep well still shown near Tell Balata / Nablus is the long-standing Christian and local traditional site; coordinates on this record are approximate for that tradition. The atlas marks it Traditional site, not a dig-sealed first-century proof.

    Traditional site

    Well-established Traditional Site. Coordinates approximate (traditional site near Tell Balata).

    Sources

  12. Jericho

    Today: West Bank (near modern Er Riha)

    PatriarchsExodusNew Testament Neolithic (c. 7000 BC onwards), Bronze Age, Iron Age, New Testament period.

    Tell es-Sultan by the spring Ein es-Sultan is among the world’s earliest fortified towns, with Pre-Pottery Neolithic remains long before Israel’s story. The house pin is this mound near modern Jericho/Er Riha.

    Well-established

    Well-established Archaeological Site (Tell es-Sultan). Earliest settlement 7th millennium BC (Pre-Pottery Neolithic).

    Sources

  13. Jerusalem

    Today: Jerusalem, Israel/Palestine

    MonarchyNew Testament Early Bronze Age onwards, major Iron Age II development (c. 800-600 BCE).

    David captures the Jebusite city and makes it his capital; Solomon builds the Temple here (2 Samuel 5:6-9; 1 Kings 6:1). Judah’s capital through the monarchy, with late-8th-century population growth visible in the archaeology. Hezekiah’s tunnel and the Siloam tradition sit in this era’s water works (2 Kings 20:20). Tenth-century attributions for David’s palace and some monumental structures remain debated among archaeologists; the city itself is well-established.

    Well-established

    Well-established Historical City with ongoing archaeological debates regarding specific structures (David's palace, Millo, LSS, SSS) and their dating (10th vs. 9th century BCE).

    Sources

  14. Kadesh-barnea

    Today: Ein Qudeirat, Sinai Peninsula, Egypt/Israel border

    Exodus New Kingdom (c. 1300 BC)

    Spies sent to Canaan; Miriam died; second smiting of rock (Numbers 13, 20). Main base during wandering.

    Well-established

    Well-established Archaeological Site (Ain Qudeirat is preferred).

    Sources

  15. Lachish

    Today: Tell ed-Duweir, Israel

    Monarchy Bronze Age, Iron Age (c. 1500-586 BCE).

    Major Judahite city, besieged by Sennacherib (2 Kings 18). Important ostraca found here. Mentioned in 'The Bible and Archaeology' as a site with evidence of battle.

    Well-established

    Well-established Archaeological Site. Evidence of Assyrian siege.

    Sources

  16. Marah

    Today: Ain HawΓ’rah or Uyun Musa, Sinai Peninsula, Egypt

    Exodus New Kingdom (c. 1300 BC)

    Bitter waters made sweet (Exodus 15:23-26). Hydro-geological explanations for bitterness exist.

    Debated

    Traditional/Debated Location. Hydro-geological explanation for bitterness.

    Sources

  17. Mount Ararat

    Today: Eastern Turkey/Armenia

    Patriarchs Pre-Flood/Early Bronze Age

    Genesis says the ark came to rest β€œupon the mountains of Ararat” (Genesis 8:4) β€” a range wording, not necessarily one modern summit. Popular tradition points at AğrΔ± Dağı (Mount Ararat) in eastern Turkey; many geographers read Ararat as the broader Urartu highland. No ark remains have been verified to scholarly satisfaction. The atlas pin is traditional/debated for the peak, not a claim that the flood story has been dug up.

    Debated

    Traditional/Debated Location (specific peak)

    Sources

  18. Mount Gerizim

    Today: West Bank (near Nablus)

    New Testament Iron Age onwards; NT Period (c. 1st Century AD).

    Sacred mountain for Samaritans with their temple (John 4:20). Site of covenant renewal in OT (Deuteronomy 27).

    Well-established

    Well-established Biblical and Religious Site. Archaeological remains of Samaritan temple.

    Sources

  19. Mount Sinai (Horeb)

    Today: Jebel Musa, Sinai Peninsula, Egypt

    Exodus New Kingdom (c. 1300 BC)

    At Horeb/Sinai Israel receives the covenant and the Ten Commandments after the exodus (Exodus 19:1-20, 20:1-17). The map pin follows the long Christian pilgrimage tradition at Jebel Musa in the southern Sinai Peninsula; that peak identification is traditional, not archaeologically settled, and other mountains in Sinai and northwest Arabia have been proposed. The atlas marks the place Debated for that reason.

    Debated

    Traditional/Debated Location (Jebel Musa is most traditional).

    Sources

  20. Pithom (Store City)

    Today: Tell el-Mashkuta, Egypt

    Exodus New Kingdom (Ramses II, c. 1250 BC)

    One of the store cities Israelites were forced to build (Exodus 1:11).

    Well-established

    Archaeological Site (Identified with Tell el-Mashkuta or Tell er-Retaba)

    Sources

  21. Rameses (Store City)

    Today: Tanis (Avaris), or Quantir, Egypt

    Exodus New Kingdom (Ramses II, c. 1250 BC)

    One of the store cities Israelites were forced to build; starting point of the Exodus (Exodus 1:11, 12:37).

    Well-established

    Archaeological Site (Identified with Tanis/Avaris or Quantir)

    Sources

  22. Red Sea / Sea of Reeds (Yam Suf)

    Today: Suez Canal area (Bitter Lakes, Lake Timsah)

    Exodus New Kingdom (c. 1300 BC for Exodus event)

    Israelites crossed here; Egyptians drowned (Exodus 14). Geological evidence for crust formation. Mentioned in 'Strike the Rock' regarding geological theories.

    Debated

    Debated Location (likely swampy lake region). Geological evidence for crust formation.

    Sources

  23. Rephidim

    Today: Wadi Refayid or Wadi Feiran, Sinai Peninsula, Egypt

    Exodus New Kingdom (c. 1300 BC)

    Moses smote the rock for water; battle with Amalekites (Exodus 17:1-16).

    Debated

    Traditional/Debated Location

    Sources

  24. Samaria

    Today: Sebastia, West Bank

    MonarchyNew Testament Iron Age (c. 900-720 BCE).

    Omri buys the hill of Samaria and builds his capital; it remains the Northern Kingdom’s royal center until the Assyrian conquest (1 Kings 16:23-24; 2 Kings 17:5-6). The archaeological mound at Sebastia preserves Iron Age through later strata. This era’s story is the Israelite capital, not yet Herod’s rebuild.

    Well-established

    Well-established Archaeological Site (Sebastia). Roman city built over earlier Israelite capital.

    Sources

  25. Shechem

    Today: West Bank (near Nablus)

    PatriarchsExodusMonarchy Patriarchal Era (c. 2000-1800 BC), with earlier Neolithic occupation (7th millennium BC).

    Abram’s first named altar in Canaan stands at Shechem by the oak of Moreh (Genesis 12:6-7). Jacob buys a plot from the sons of Hamor, pitches his tent, and later the Joseph story ties family bones to this ground (Genesis 33:18-20; cf. Joshua 24:32). Tell Balata by Nablus is the mainstream city mound.

    Well-established

    Well-established Archaeological Site (Tell Balata). Evidence of periods of desertion due to climate change.

    Sources

  26. Sodom and Gomorrah

    Today: Dead Sea region (Israel/Jordan)

    Patriarchs Early Bronze Age (c. 2300-1900 BC) for destruction theories.

    Cities destroyed by God due to their wickedness (Genesis 19). Lot chose this well-watered plain. Archaeological evidence is debated.

    Debated

    Debated Location/Archaeological Theories. Geological evidence suggests destruction by earthquake around 1500-2000 BC, potentially with gas/fire phenomena. Archaeological sites like Bab edh-Dhra are proposed but their destruction dates (Early Bronze III, 2600-2300 BC) predate patriarchal era.

    Sources

  27. Sychar (Shechem)

    Today: West Bank (near Nablus, Tell Balata or El-Askar)

    New Testament Patriarchal Era onwards; NT period (c. 1st Century AD).

    Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman at Jacob's Well (John 4). Ancient capital of Northern Kingdom, later Samaritan religious center.

    Debated

    Archaeological Site (Tell Balata) for ancient Shechem; El-Askar for New Testament Sychar. Debated exact NT location.

    Sources

  28. Ur of the Chaldees

    Today: Southern Iraq (near Nasiriyah)

    Patriarchs Patriarchal Era (c. 2000-1800 BC)

    Genesis names Ur of the Chaldees as Abram’s family origin before the move toward Canaan (Genesis 11:28-31, 12:1). The pin uses the famous southern Mesopotamian city (Tell el-Muqayyar, Iraq), excavated on a grand scale by Leonard Woolley β€” a real Sumerian capital. Whether that city is the biblical β€œUr of the Chaldees” is debated; some scholars prefer a northern site (this atlas also plots Urkesh / Tell Mozan as an alternate candidate). The record is marked Debated for the identification, not because Ur itself is imaginary.

    Debated

    Well-established Archaeological Site (Sumerian Ur). Identification with Biblical Ur of the Chaldees is debated; some scholars propose Urkesh in northeastern Syria.

    Sources

  29. Urkesh (Ur of the Hurrians)

    Today: Northeastern Syria (Tell Mozan)

    Patriarchs Late 3rd Millennium BC (abandoned c. 1530 BC)

    Proposed alternative site for Abraham's starting point, 'Ur of the Chaldees'. Capital of the Hurrian kingdom.

    Debated

    Archaeological Site (Debated identification with Biblical Ur)

    Sources