The Red-Rose City of the Nabateans
Biblical Israel Ministries & Tours (BIMT) is all about teaching the Bible in the context of the land of Israel and other biblical countries (Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, Greece, and Italy). There are over 100 biblical sites in Israel alone that have been excavated. The incredible site of ancient Petra is one of them. That’s where we hike 11 miles through this ancient red-rose city of the Nabateans.
Petra is one of the seven wonders of the world. Millions come to this site each year (well, maybe not this year, 2020!) to see the incredible Treasury, the Monastery Tomb, and the High Place. This is what we will see in the video below as we walk together through the Siq (canyon) into the ancient site.
There are easily over 1,000 ancient Nabatean tombs here at Petra, probably more than this since all of them have not yet been discovered. The family of Aretas were the most famous rulers of Petra. The daughter of Aretas IV (8 BC – 40 AD) was the wife of Herod Antipas in the Bible. Paul also mentions Aretas (2 Corinthians 11:32). The well-known Treasury (al-Khazneh in Arabic) was most likely the tomb/monument dedicated to Aretas III.
The other most popular tomb to visit is located on the western edge of Petra. It requires a long hike up 800+ steps to get there. It is the Monastery Tomb (Ad Deir in Arabic, named this during the Byzantine Period). Like the Treasury, it is over 100 feet high.
A hike to the High Place where Dushara, the Nabatean god of the rock was honored. The back trail to the High Place is one of the most scenic of them all! Far in the distance is the traditional Mt. Hor where Aaron, the brother of Moses was buried (Numbers 20:28-29). On top is a 14th century white-dome mosque. I’ve hiked Mt. Hor twice now, but we’ll save the video for another time.
“Visiting Petra is an amazing experience. Hiking here is spectacular. The views are stunning with every turn. The back trail up to the High Place is the most scenic of them all.”
