Arad (123 pictures)

Arad is mentioned in the Bible as one of the cities in the eastern Negev that prevented the Israelites from entering the "Promised Land" (see below). Habitation of Arad by the Israelites began in the 11th century BC and a fortress was erected here under King Solomon (10th century BC). Inside the fortress were found some 200 clay shards bearing ink-inscribed or engraved writings from various periods of the Judean Kingdom. At the Fortresses Mound six settlement strata were uncovered.

THe Canaanite city of Arad in mentioned several times in the bible (Old Testament):

• Numbers 21:1  And when king Arad the Canaanite, which dwelt in the south heard tell that Israel came by the way of the spies; then he faught against Israel and took some of them prisoners.
• Numbers 33:40  And king Arad the Canaanite, which dwelt in the south in the land of Canaan, heard of the coming of the children of Israel.
• Joshua 12:14  The king of Hormah, one; the king of Arad, one;
• Judges 1:16  And the children of the Kenite, Moses' father in law, went up out of the city of palm trees with the children of Judah into the wilderness of Judah, which lieth in the south of Arad; and they went and dwelt among the people.
• 1 Chronicles 8:15  And Zebadiah, and Arad, and Ader,