Jerusalem - Canaanite Tunnels


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The history of Jerusalem began long before King David conquered the city of Jebus (Jerusalem) and made it the capital of Israel in 1,000 BC.  Archeaological findings indicate settlements in Jerusalem by the 3rd millenium BC. 

When David captured the city, it was inhabited by Canannites. One interesting note is that they had dug a series of tunnels underneath the city that eventually opened in the Kidron and Central Valleys. The purpose seems to be for irrigation—to direct run off to the fertile valleys below. 

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In the biblical record, David captured the city by sending his men up one or more of these outlets. it is found in 2nd Samuel 5:8. His men went by way of something called the "tsinor". This word appears only here, its meaning is not fully known, and it has been translated as gutter or tunnel.

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You can walk one of these tunnels today. It's called the Canaanite Tunnel and its opening is very near Hezekiah's Tunnel. Make sure you walk through the Canaanite Tunnel because if you go the other way, YOU WILL GET WET!

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