Jerusalem's origin is an ancient mystery. Concerning the history of Jerusalem's early years we know very little. There is evidence that Jerusalem existed at least as early as 1900 B.C. when it was known by Abram (Abraham) as Salem, a city then ruled by Amorite kings. The name Jerusalem means "city of peace." Jerusalem occasionally has snow in the winter and often receives almost as much rain as London, England (20 inches annually vs 23 inches). Its temperature extremes have varied from 107 degrees to a mere 26 degrees.
* 1011-971 B.C. - David took the fortified city in a military campaign from the Jebusites and renamed it the City of David. Jerusalem became the spiritual and political heart of the nation. It must have been chosen for its central location, its rugged hills that could be easily defended, and its good water supply.
* 971-931 B.C. - Solomon, King David's son, built the first Temple to permanently house the Ark of the Covenant. The Temple's splendor was one of the wonders of the ancient world.
* 586 B.C. - The Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple. The residents were carried away as slaves to Babylon.
* 539 B.C. - The Persians defeated the Babylonians
* 515 B.C. - With help from the Persians, Jews were allowed to return to Jerusalem. The second Temple was built over the remains of the first. It was a mere shadow of the first temple's glory. Apparently most of the Jews did not return to Jerusalem but chose to remain in colonies outside their homeland.
* 334 B.C. - Alexander the Great (a Greek) conquers the Persians and controls Jerusalem.
* 168 B.C. - Antiochus Epiphanes IV (A Greek ruler) persecutes the Jews and desecrates the Temple by offering a pig sacrifice on the holy site.
* 63 B.C. - After the Greek's power fades, Pompey the Roman, annexes the territory that was the former nation of the Jews.
* 37 B.C. - Herod the Great, a Roman, seizes Jerusalem with military might and appoints himself king. He rebuilds the Temple, attempting to match its former splendor from the days of Solomon. He is called Herod the Great because of his great building projects.
* 70 A.D. - The Jews revolt against Roman rule, the city and the Temple are destroyed.
* 135 A.D. - The Jews revolt again. This time the emperor outlaws Judaism, bans Jews from Jerusalem and rebuilds it as a Gentile city. Jerusalem is renamed Colonia Aelia Capitolina. It was to be a Roman colony dedicated to the pagan god Jupiter with a temple to be built over the old Temple site.
* 200 A.D. - By the 200's most of the Jews had settled outside of their country.
* 333 A.D. - Helena, the mother of Constantine, the first Christian Roman Emperor, built the Church of the Holy Sepulchre over the supposed site of the resurrection of Jesus. Jerusalem was for a while almost entirely a Christian city. The ban against Jews living there was lifted.
* 638 A.D. - The Muslims conquer Jerusalem and eventually build the Dome of the Rock Mosque on the site where part of the Jewish Temple once stood. This becomes the second most sacred Muslim shrine because it is believed that Muhammad ascended from this spot into heaven.
* 1099 A.D. - The Christian Crusaders reclaimed the city.
* 1291 A.D. - The Mamelukes from Egypt drove out the Crusaders.
* 1517 A.D. - The Ottoman Turks conquer the area.
* 1918 A.D. - The British drove the Turks out.
* 1948 A.D. - The Jews formed the reborn State of Israel but lost East Jerusalem to the Jordanians in a war that immediately followed.
* 1967 A.D. - The Jews and Arabs fought the Six-day War. The outcome, the Jews reclaim the entire city of Jerusalem.
* 1980 A.D. - The Israeli government passed a law that the entire city of Jerusalem is the capital of Israel.
Today all that remains of the ancient Jewish Temple are some of the foundation stones for the west wall of the Temple complex. Although often referred to as the "Wailing Wall" the Jews prefer to call it the "West Wall." For Jews today, the foot of the west wall is a sacred area used for prayer and religious ceremonies. The temple mount is now venerated by three religions (Jews, Christians and Muslims) because this location was the original temple site of the Jews, the traditional site where Christians believe Abraham brought Isaac to be offered and for Muslims, the place where Muhammad ascended to heaven.
Jerusalem is presently about 72 percent Jewish, 26 percent Arab and has a dwindling Christian minority. In 1993 the city, including its suburbs, was estimated to have about 616,000 residents.
History records that some of the worst atrocities that mankind has endured happened on this little patch of the planet called Jerusalem. It is a place that Canaanites, Amorites, Jews, Muslims, Christians and many others have called home. The sad history of Jerusalem is one of almost continual conflict, bloodshed and war. The psalmist said, "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem..." Perhaps we should, "Pray for peace in Jerusalem..."

* Please note that some early dates are approximate

Blessings in your study of God's Word!

Marvin Hunt

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Blessings!
Marvin Hunt

Http://www.biblehistory.com

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