Also known as the “spring of the wild goat,” (stemming from its Hebrew name) Ein Gedi is an oasis in the Judean Wilderness located on the Western shore of the Dead Sea.
Many remains of human settlement have been found here, including a temple going back to the Chalcolithic period (5,000 years ago)
Political/Cultural Significance
The Ein Gedi race, also known as the Shalom Marathon – Dead Sea Half Marathon, is a popular road running event over several distances that has been held since 1983. The starting point for all races is the Ein Gedi Spa, 80 kilometers southeast of Jerusalem and 4 kilometers south of Kibbutz Ein Gedi.
Biblical Significance
Joshua 15:62 God allotted Ein Gedi to the tribe of Judah
1 Samuel 23:29 David hid in a cave at Ein Gedi when running from Saul (which is where he may have composed Psalms 57 and 142)
2 Chronicles 20:1-30 The Moabites, Ammonites, and Edomites united together at Ein Gedi to launch a surprise attack against Jerusalem.
