Givat HaMoreh (the Hill of the Teacher) rises 515 meters above the eastern Jezreel Valley near the city of Afula. In the Bible, it is associated with the story of Gideon, who camped here before his famous nighttime attack on the Midianite camp with just 300 men armed with torches and trumpets (Judges 7). The Midianite camp was in the valley below, and the topography of the story matches the geography perfectly.
Biblical and Historical Significance
Givat HaMoreh also appears in the story of King Saul, who consulted the Witch of Endor (1 Samuel 28) on the hill’s slopes before his final battle against the Philistines on nearby Mount Gilboa. The hill has been a strategic overlook for thousands of years, and its views of the Jezreel Valley, Mount Tabor, and the surrounding hills make it easy to see why armies gathered here.
Today, the Druze village of Nein sits on the hill’s slopes, and the Christian site of Nain, associated with Jesus’ miracle of raising the widow’s son, is nearby.
Visit with Hoshen Tours
Givat HaMoreh adds biblical depth to any Jezreel Valley itinerary. Hoshen Tours connects it to the stories of Gideon, Saul, and the battles that shaped ancient Israel.