Histories of the Holy Land Podcast

Shaiel Ben-Ephraim
  • 4.6 (104)
  • HISTORY
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

The Histories of the Holy Land Podcast has the guts to survey the most provocative historical narrative in the world. Israel and Palestine is a land of immense religious significance. Everyone has an opinion on it. But what is the true story of this beautiful but contested country? From the dinosaurs to the hi-tech era, we will chronologically survey the history of the land. The podcast will provide the only complete and factual narrative out there. So, join us.

  1. 11/11/2025

    57 - Graves of the Sea People

    Send us a text  Ever heard of a graveyard where the coffins are shaped like humans—some lifelike, others downright bizarre? In this episode, we dig into the secrets of the Philistines at Beit Shean: a crossroads of kings, conquerors, and cultures. It’s biblical drama, ancient mysteries, and archaeological surprises—buried, literally, in the dirt of the Holy Land.  Support the show

    32 min

  2. 10/21/2025

    56 - Were The Philistines Migrants or Invaders?

    Send us a text The first portrayal of the Philistines can be seen in the reliefs of the Medinet Habu monument. It shows their warriors, but also their women and children on ox-carts. They came to conquer, but also to live. They fought and contributed culturally, bringing their influences from the Aegean. But were they just a bunch of foreign invaders, or were they migrants integrating into the local culture?  Support the show

    31 min

  3. 09/10/2025

    55 - The Philistines

    Send us a text In this episode, we bring the Philistines into the story. Unfortunately, we do not have rich texts that they wrote about themselves. So we have to rely on the Bible for our understanding of the Philistines. But who were they, and how accurately are they portrayed in the biblical stories? We introduce these important players to our story.  Support the show

    42 min

  4. 05/19/2025

    54 – Josiah and the Book of Deuteronomy

    Send us a text A lost scroll. A boy king. And a revolution that remade a nation. But was Deuteronomy really ancient law—or a bold new manifesto, crafted to legitimize power? In this episode, we look beyond the legend to ask: Was Josiah’s great reform inspired by divine revelation, or was it a brilliant act of political theater? Join us as we question the story behind Deuteronomy and explore how one mysterious book could upend everything a kingdom thought it knew. Support the show

    41 min

  5. 04/14/2025

    53 - The Story of Manasseh: The Evil King Who Saved Judah

    Send us a text History remembers King Manasseh as Judah's most wicked ruler, but archaeological evidence tells a different story. For 55 years, he kept his tiny kingdom alive through shrewd diplomacy and careful governance, transforming defeat into survival. While his father Hezekiah's rebellion against Assyria had devastated the kingdom, Manasseh took a pragmatic approach - restoring local shrines, rebuilding trade networks, and turning Judah into a valuable buffer state between Assyria and Egypt. Under his reign, settlements expanded south, new fortifications secured vital trade routes, and agricultural innovation helped feed a growing population. His story isn't one of wickedness, but of a masterful survivor who made difficult choices to keep his kingdom alive during one of the most dangerous periods in ancient history. Support the show

    41 min

  6. 03/15/2025

    52 - Hezekiah's Last Stand

    Send us a text  In 701 BCE, a small kingdom faced the most powerful empire in the world. One king, against all odds, prepared Jerusalem for an impossible defense. Fortified walls, secret water tunnels, and an unexpected divine intervention—this is the gripping true story of how Hezekiah survived Sennacherib's brutal invasion. Support the show

    32 min

  7. 02/18/2025

    51 - The Reforms of Hezekiah

    Send us a text At just 25, Hezekiah inherited a kingdom under massive pressure from the mighty Assyrian Empire. But instead of cowering, he launched a bold religious and political revolution that would alter the course of Jewish history. How did he navigate treacherous geopolitical waters while transforming temple worship? What made him both a strategic political player and a deeply spiritual leader? Support the show

    41 min

  8. 02/07/2025

    50 – Judah Before the Reforms of Hezekiah

    Send us a text The reforms of Hezekiah would revolutionize the Israelite religion and make it genuinely monotheistic for the first time. They also made the Temple in Jerusalem truly central for the first time. What led to that and what did the religion of Judah look like before those far reaching reforms started?  Support the show

    30 min
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4.6
out of 5
104 Ratings

About

The Histories of the Holy Land Podcast has the guts to survey the most provocative historical narrative in the world. Israel and Palestine is a land of immense religious significance. Everyone has an opinion on it. But what is the true story of this beautiful but contested country? From the dinosaurs to the hi-tech era, we will chronologically survey the history of the land. The podcast will provide the only complete and factual narrative out there. So, join us.

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