“Job’s spring”, a warm sulfuric spring in Tabcha named after the Biblical figure that was tested by God. A nearby cave was, according to this tradition, the dwelling place of the sick Job.
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Contents:
* The lake
* Entrance
Background:
Tabcha (Ein Sheva) is a place in the north-west section of the Sea of Galilee which is blessed by seven springs. One of them is a spring called “Job’s spring” (Ein Ayub), a warm sulfuric spring named after the Biblical figure that was tested by God. According to the tradition, Job lived in the nearby cave and treated himself from his sickness in the waters of the spring.
Job 38: 25: “Who hath divided a watercourse for the overflowing of waters…”
Location:
Job’s spring and cave is located in Tabcha, on the north-west corner of the sea of Galilee. They are on the east side of the Church of the first Feeding of the Multitude.
The access to Job’s spring is via a staircase on the south side of the Capernaum-Tabcha road. The entrance is adjacent to the bus and taxi parking.
The following aerial view shows the points of interest.
Photos:
(a) The spring:
The spring is located on the shore; the photo below shows the view of the lake from that point. The mountain in the background is the Arbel. The ruins of Magdala are located on the shores of the lake at the Arbel’s foothill.
Click on the photos to view in higher resolution…
The spring is seen flowing out of the bush.
The stream actually flows out from a pool behind the bush. The pool diameter is 5.5M and its height is 4M. The sulfuric waters are warm and pleasant for dipping into them.
The waters are regarded sacred and sick people came here, and are still coming, in order to heal themselves – through the faith in the righteous Job. If it worked on Job – then it will work for them…
(b) Eastern waterfall:
During the Winter, a smaller branch of the spring opens up 50m east of Job’s spring, just under the steps leading to the beach.
(c) The lake:
This is the view of the lake from the spring. The water level is low. This was taken in April after a relatively dry winter of 2007, and by the end of the summer the waters will recede dozens of meters back.
A view towards the south end of the sea of Galilee.
(d) Entrance:
The entrance to the spring is through a gate on the side of the road, close to the Bus public parking. Since private cars cannot park here, it is advised to leave your car in the parking lot Church of the first Feeding of the Multitude.
Biblical References:
(a) Job 1,1 and 2,7-8:
This is how the story starts – Job is a rich and righteous man:
“There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil….”
Satan, challenging Job’s integrity, brings tragedy to his family and inflicts boils on Job as a test:
“So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown. And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal; and he sat down among the ashes”.
Job and Friends – by Gustav Dore (French artist, 1832-1883)
(c) Ezekiel 14 14, 20:
Job appears in other Biblical texts:
“Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness, saith the Lord God”
“Though Noah, Daniel, and Job were in it, as I live, saith the Lord God, they shall deliver neither son nor daughter; they shall but deliver their own souls by their righteousness”.
Etymology (behind the name):
- Job – From the Bible – the person who endured much suffering but did not lose his faith in God. The name in Hebrew is pronounced “Ei-yov”, and has a meaning of “tragic” – based on the Biblical events. The source of the name is not clear, but it may be based on the Hebrew root word “Ayv” which means hatred (Eyva) .
- Job’s spring – Other names of the spring:Ein Ayub, the hidden spring, Hammam Ayub
Links and References:
- Church of the first Feeding of the Multitude
- Biblical pictures by Gustave Doré (1832-1883) – public domain
*Nearby sites:
BibleWalks.com – walk with us through the sites of the Holy Land
Tell Hadar <<<–previous site—<<<All Sites>>>—next Sea of Galilee site—>>> Hippos (Sussita)
This page was last updated on Mar 3, 2018 (Added eastern spring)
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