Mt. of Temptation (near Jericho)
The Mount of
Temptation is traditionally regarded
as the mountain on which Christ was tempted by the devil during His 40-day
fast. The summit is a little over 1,200 feet and offers a spectacular view of
the Jordan Valley, Dead Sea, and the mountains of Moab and Gilead.
Located
about 3 miles northwest of the modern city of Jericho, access to its peak is by
walking about 45 minutes up a steep path, or by a 5-minute cable car ride from
Tel Jericho.
A gravity
defying Greek Orthodox monastery was built on its slope, and unlike others,
this monastery allows women visitors as well as men.
The Mount of
Temptation is also known as Mount Quarantania and Jebel Quarantul. Both names are a corruption of the Latin word Quarentena, meaning 40, the number of
days in Christ’s fast.
Tradition dating from the 12th century places two
of the devil’s temptations here. The temptation to turn a stone into bread is
located in a grotto halfway up the mountain. The offer of all the kingdoms of
the world in exchange for worship of the devil is located on the summit
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