Mount Moriah: Abraham's Test, from the Biblical Story to the Temple Mount
Where tradition places Abraham's test now stands the Temple Mount, one of the holiest sites in Judaism and Islam.
Biblical archaeology in Israel
The places of the Bible, to read about, then to visit
Hebron, Beersheba, Tel Dan, Mount Moriah: what the text says, what archaeologists have found, and how to get there today.
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Put together your biblical journey Pick your places, answer 4 questions: get your day-by-day programme, with the map and driving times.
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Every page distinguishes what the text says what the excavations show what belongs to tradition
- Choose your places
- Answer 4 questions
- Take your programme with you
- 32biblical site guides, with GPS directions
- 5periods, from the Patriarchs to the Second Temple
- 3languages: French, English, Hebrew
- Freeitinerary you can save as a PDF, no sign-up
32 biblical sites where the narrative and the excavations meet
Six must-see places to start with, from Jerusalem to Galilee by way of the Dead Sea: all the others are on the map.
Bethlehem, town of the Nativity: Bible, excavations and visiting
The town of Ruth and David, where the Gospels place the birth of Jesus: a cave venerated since the 2nd century, beneath one of the oldest churches in the world still in use.
Masada, Herod's fortress above the Dead Sea
A palace hanging on the edge of the desert, the last stronghold of the Jewish revolt against Rome, and a famous story that archaeology illuminates without settling every question.
Tomb of the Patriarchs – Hebron
A sacred site venerated by the three monotheistic religions, the traditional burial place of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Nazareth, the Town of Jesus: Annunciation, Excavations and Visit
The Galilean village where the Gospels place the Annunciation and the childhood of Jesus, today Israel's largest Arab city: shrines, excavations and visiting tips.
Capernaum, the town of Jesus on the Sea of Galilee
The fishing village where Jesus settled, taught in the synagogue and stayed with Peter: what the Gospels say, what the excavations found and what you can see today.
Old or New Testament: choose your way in
From the Patriarchs to the prophets, or in the footsteps of Jesus: each Testament has its periods and places to visit.
Start with a story or a period
Each story leads you to the place where the Bible sets it, and each period to its sites.
The great stories
The binding of IsaacGenesis 22 · "get thee into the land of Moriah"Mount Moriah Jacob's ladderGenesis 28 · the dream and the "house of God"Bethel Jacob wrestles with the angelGenesis 32 · "thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel"Peniel Joseph sold by his brothersGenesis 37 · for twenty pieces of silverDothan Abraham's departureGenesis 12 · "get thee out of thy country"ArticleThe periods, a cross-cutting reading
Old Testament
From Creation to BabelThe Origins
2000–1500 BCEThe Patriarchs
1500–1200 BCEThe Exodus
1200–586 BCEJudges and Kings
586–332 BCEExile and Return
Between the Testaments
New Testament
Articles and archaeology news
Recent discoveries, in-depth analyses and thematic features on biblical archaeology.
The Flood Around the World: Ancient Stories and Archaeological Witnesses
India, China, Greece, the Americas, Mesopotamia: flood stories around the world and three ancient tablets that record them, set beside the story of Noah.
Where Was the Garden of Eden? The Four Rivers, Mesopotamia and Hebron
Tigris, Euphrates, the Persian Gulf or Hebron? What Genesis says about the Garden of Eden, what scholars suggest, and the traditions that link it to Israel.
Prehistory in Israel: From the First Humans to the First Villages
Four prehistoric sites to visit in Israel and five more closed to the public: over a million years of human history, from Mount Carmel to the Jordan.
The project
Bringing the Bible to life on the ground, through history, archaeology and the sites you can visit
The past lies beneath sand and stone, waiting to be rediscovered. Archaeologists bring to light potsherds, walls and seals: so many clues that help us picture how people lived thousands of years ago.
But archaeology is like a puzzle with pieces always missing. That is where the Bible can help fill the gaps: an ancient narrative, to be patiently compared with discoveries in the field. Here you will find what you need to understand, see and experience these ancient pages, and to plan your visits in practical terms with Plan my tour.
- The textWhat the Bible says, with the verse reference.
- The excavationsWhat published reports and the Israel Antiquities Authority show.
- TraditionWhat belongs to the memory of the place, flagged as such.
Anthony Israel AiacheFounder of IsraBible · Our method and sources
Frequently asked questions
How do I plan a biblical itinerary in Israel?
Use our Plan my tour planner: in four questions (length of stay, interests, pace and Judea and Samaria sites), it builds a day-by-day programme across about forty places, with driving times, a suggested town for each night and a map. You can then adjust the tour, get it by e-mail and check access conditions on each site's page.
Which periods of Israel's history should I explore first?
For a first discovery, begin with the period of the Patriarchs: Hebron, Beersheba, Tel Dan and Mount Moriah all belong to it and are among the most evocative places of the biblical narrative. The period of the Judges and Kings also offers many excavated sites, while Jerusalem holds remains from almost every era.
Are the sites suitable for families and people with reduced mobility?
Accessibility varies greatly from one site to another. Each place page shows an access level (easy, moderate or difficult), an estimated visit time and practical tips. Ancient tells often have dirt paths, steps and little shade: if you are travelling with a pushchair or a person with reduced mobility, check with the site's operator before you go.
Is the "Plan my tour" tool free?
Yes. The planner and the "My tour" page are completely free and require no sign-up. Your tour is stored in your browser. To receive it by e-mail, export it as a PDF or share it, you just leave your details.
Can I use Waze or Google Maps from each place page?
Yes. Every place page has a "Getting there & GPS" section with the site's coordinates, a map and buttons that open navigation directly in Waze, Google Maps or Apple Maps. Always check the suggested route and access conditions before setting off.
Is the site available in French, English and Hebrew?
Yes. IsraBible is published in French, English and Hebrew; the language selector is in the header of every page. The Hebrew version reads from right to left. A page is only offered in a language once its translation is complete.
Where does the archaeological information come from?
Our content draws on the biblical text, published excavation reports, announcements from the Israel Antiquities Authority and the academic literature. We distinguish between what the text says, what archaeology shows and what belongs to tradition, and we point out scholarly debates where they exist. Our method is explained on the About page; spotted a mistake? Let us know.
How do I add or remove a place from my tour?
On any place page, click "Add to my tour": a message confirms it has been added. You will then find your stops on the "My tour" page, where you can reorder them, remove them one by one or clear the whole list. Everything is saved automatically in your browser, with no account needed.