Dead Sea at Ein Bokek Area (死海)

Dead Sea at Ein Bokek Area (死海)
Date: April 9, 2013

These photos were taken early next morning and the sand storm had already gone, leaving a sunny morning with scattered clouds. In last two photos below, we can still barely see the Eastern Plateau on the east side of Dead Sea even though there is a blanket of fog in front of it.

Dead Sea at Ein Bokek Area (死海)

Dead Sea at Ein Bokek Area (死海)

Date: April 8, 2013

The Hebrew name of Dead Sea is "Yam Hamelach" which means "sea of salt." It is the lowest surface on earth. When I studied geography of the land of Old Testament in 1975, the level of Dead Sea I memorized was 1292 feet below sea level. Now the level of Dead Sea is 1300 feet (400 meters) below sea level. The lost of water is due to channelling of water from its source for irrigation and also due to evaporation that draws twice the amount of water comparing to that entering from the north. This also makes the Dead Sea famous for high concentration of minerals and people can literally sit on the water.

The photos below were taken in the evening time at Ein Bokek which is a tourist resort area. The sand storm was still on and thus we could not see the Eastern Plateau on the other side of Dead Sea; even the Central Highland was not clear from where we were at (west coast of Dead Sea).

En Gedi (隠基底)

En Gedi (隠基底)

Date: April 8, 2013

En Gedi means Spring of Goat. The site is a valley and the boulders and rocks scattered around are evidence of earthquake. There are caves that may provide shelter for fugitives like David when he tried to escape from Saul. 

Now when Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, saying, “Behold, David is in the wilderness of Engedi.”

Then Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel and went to seek David and his men in front of the Rocks of the Wild Goats. He came to the sheepfolds on the way, where there was a cave; and Saul went in to relieve himself.

Now David and his men were sitting in the inner recesses of the cave.

The men of David said to him, “Behold, this is the day of which the Lord said to you, ‘Behold; I am about to give your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as it seems good to you.’ ” Then David arose and cut off the edge of Saul’s robe secretly. (Samuel 24:1-4)

Effect of the sand storm on the day we visited could be seen in the first and last photo shown below.

Qumran: Caves of Dead Sea Scrolls (昆蘭死海古卷洞穴)

Qumran: Caves of Dead Sea Scrolls (昆蘭死海古卷洞穴)

Date: April 8, 2013
On that whole day, we were experiencing sand storm. Thus most photos taken on that day were yellowish and not clear, especially the far view.

Jericho Archaeological Site (耶利哥考古古蹟)

Jericho Archaeological Site (耶利哥考古古蹟)

Date: April 8, 2013