Tell Regev
Tell Regev was a biblical fortified city that was one of the passing points across the Kishon river. Its history spanned from the Early bronze age to the Byzantine period. It belonged to the Asher tribe, but its identification is not certain.
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Background:
Tell Regev was a biblical fortified city near one of the passing points across the Kishon river, that flows north of the Carmel. It is a Tell (mound), with many layers of history, spanning over 3,500 years from the Early bronze age to the Byzantine period. Today it is ruins.
Location:
The Tell is located near Kefar Hassidim, on the east side of the modern road from Yagur junction towards north.
In the ancient times, the main highway (Via Maris) passed from North to South at this point, and had to cross the Kishon River, located 500M to the south. This made the site a prime location.
Furthermore, Tell Regev is located 100M south of the Nahal Zippori creek, which bends at this point towards the west and eventually flows into the Kishon. This gave the Tell its waters (an important factor at these times) and made the crossing of the creek yet another asset.
Note: 2Km to the north is a new regional cemetery that opened in 2005, and is also called Tell Regev. It is not associated with this site, but its name seemed worthy for a cemetery.
History of the place:
This city was established in the early Bronze (Canaanite) period (3150BC-2200BC).
The city continued through the middle and late Bronze age (2200-1550BC, 1550BC-1550BC- 1200BC), and the Israelite period (1200BC-586BC) . It might have been in one of the cities given to Hiram, King of Tyre, as part of the pact with King Solomon (Kings I).
The city continued during later periods: Babylonian/Persian (586BC-332BC) , Hellenistic (332BC-37BC), Roman and Byzantine (37BC-324AD, 324AD-640AD).
The new agriculture village of Kefar Hassidim (Kfar Hasidim) is located near the site.
Map / Aerial view:
The following aerial view shows the points of interest. You can point on the purple points to navigate to the selected point. As you can see, Tell Regev is located between the Kishon River and Zippori Creek which bends west at this point.
Photos:
This is a view from the north-west, taken from the new highway junction of Kefar Hassidim. The Tell is a round hill that towers above the surrounding grounds. In the background you can see the edge of mount Carmel.
Click on the photo to view it in higher resolution...
Another view from the south-east, taken from the old road side.
Biblical References:
(a) Joshua 19:24,25
This text, describing the land of the tribe of Asher, lists the cities in their area. One of the sites may relate to Tell Regev - maybe it is Achshaph which is listed near Khali and Beten (maybe Tell Par near Ibtin). However, Achshaph may also be identified in Tell Kisson (Kissan), as per some scholars.
24 "And the fifth lot came out for the tribe of the children of Asher according to their families.
25 And their border was Helkath, and Khali, and Beten, and Achshaph
26 And Alammelech, and Amad, and Misheal; and reacheth to Carmel westward, and to Shihorlibnath;
27 And turneth toward the sunrising to Bethdagon, and reacheth to Zebulun, and to the valley of Jiphthahel toward the north side of Bethemek, and Neiel, and goeth out to Cabul on the left hand,
28 And Hebron, and Rehob, and Hammon, and Kanah, even unto great Zidon;
29 And then the coast turneth to Ramah, and to the strong city Tyre; and the coast turneth to Hosah; and the outgoings thereof are at the sea from the coast to Achzib:
30 Ummah also, and Aphek, and Rehob: twenty and two cities with their villages.
(b,c) Joshua 11:1-5 ; 12: 20
If Tell Regev is indeed Achshaph, then this city is also listed as the Canaanite cities that fought, and lost, against Joshua and the Israelites during the conquest of Israel:
1 "And it came to pass, when Jabin king of Hazor had heard those things, that he sent to Jobab king of Madon, and to the king of Shimron, and to the king of Achshaph,
2 And to the kings that were on the north of the mountains, and of the plains south of Chinneroth, and in the valley, and in the borders of Dor on the west,
3 And to the Canaanite on the east and on the west, and to the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Jebusite in the mountains, and to the Hivite under Hermon in the land of Mizpeh.
4 And they went out, they and all their hosts with them, much people, even as the sand that is upon the sea shore in multitude, with horses and chariots very many.
5 And when all these kings were met together, they came and pitched together at the waters of Merom, to fight against Israel. "
And also listed in Joshua 12:
20"The king of Shimronmeron, one; the king of Achshaph, one;"
(d) Kings I (9: 11-13)
This text tells about the Solomon-Hiram agreement, where the area of west Galilee was traded with the Phoenicians. This area, called Cabul (or Kavul), might have included Tell Regev as well, since the number of cities (20) corresponds to the number of cities listed above (22).
11 now Hiram the king of Tyre had furnished Solomon with cedar-trees and cypress-trees, and with gold, according to all his desire--that then king Solomon gave Hiram twenty cities in the land of Galilee.
12 And Hiram came out from Tyre to see the cities which Solomon had given him: and they pleased him not.
13 And he said: 'What cities are these which thou hast given me, my brother?' And they were called the land of Cabul, unto this day.
Etymology (behind the name):
See more about Tells.
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Other ancient sites close by:
You can visit the following sites, which are north of Tell Regev:
To the south, in Lower Galilee:
- Tell Meamer (Biblical Geva-Shemen, Roman "Geva") - located 3 KM
- Tell Yokneam - located 10Km to the south.
- Tell Kassis - located 8KM to the south. Identified as Biblical Khelkat.
You can also learn about the story of a Tell in our info page.
BibleWalks.com - walk with us through the sites of the Holy Land
Khali<<<--previous West Galilee site---<<<All Sites>>>---next West Galilee site --->>> Tell Par & Kh. Ibtin