|
Location and Setting 
- The historic Spring of Harod is located in a cave at the base of Mount Gilboa on its
north side, about two miles east of Jezreel.
- Fresh water flows continually from the spring, forming a stream that runs down into the
Harod Valley.
Historical and Biblical Significance
- Undoubtedly, almost every person mentioned in the Bible who traveled through the Harod
Valley, going east or west, or passing north or south through the Plain of Jezreel, drank
at this spring. Its presence may have accounted, in part at least, for the several battles
that were fought nearby.
- It was at this spring that Gideon tested his men, reducing the size
of his army from ten thousand to three hundred (Judg 7:3-8). Those who
knelt to drink were excused. In this position they were not prepared
for a surprise attack. Those who stood, presumably, and took water to
their mouths in their hands, demonstrated that they were alert and watching
for the
enemy.
- The Midianites were camped within sight of Gideon and his men. "The camp of Midian
was below him in the valley" (Judg 7:9). Beside the spring, which flows out of the
side of the hill, there is a little plain which descends gradually into the valley proper,
some seventy-five feet below. Every move of Gideon’s men would be plainly visible to
the Midianites, and theirs to Gideon.
- Several centuries later, when King Saul and his army camped at nearby Jezreel, this
spring again supplied water for troops before battle. "The Israelites were camping by
the spring which is in Jezreel," is probably a reference to En Harod
- (1 Sam 29:1). Apparently, Saul had decided to face the Philistines at Jezreel, because
this was the "choke point" of the International Coastal Highway. This narrow
passageway, which was bordered by En Harod on the south and Shunem just four miles to the
north, formed a natural constriction and provided an advantageous military position.
Another factor, however, may have been the availability of water there and also the memory
of Gideon’s great victory at the same place.
Bibliography
- Barabas, S. "Harod" The Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible.
Ed. Merrill C. Tenney. 5 vols. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1976.
|
home
En
Harod Photos 
Scriptures
ref.
