According to the Biblical narrative, Jabin, the King of Hazor, headed a coalition of Canaanite cities against the advancing Israelites, led by Joshua. The Israelites won the battle and Joshua burned and ravaged the city (Jos. 11:1 - 12).
"And Joshua turned back at that time, and took Hazor, and smote its king with the sword: for Hazor formerly was the head of all those kingdoms. Everyone in it they put to the sword. They totally destroyed them, not sparing anything that breathed, and he burned up Hazor itself .. Israel did not burn any of the cities built on their mounds - except Hazor." (Jos 11:10-12)
Evidence of this violent destruction by burning was discovered in various areas of excavation of the site. This confirms the validity of the Bible stories about Joshua. This is why the story of Hazor is important to Christians and Jews.
28-OCT-2008
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Hazor is the largest biblical-era site in Israel, covering some 200 acres. The population of Hazor in the second millennium BCE is estimated to have been about 20,000, making it the largest and most important city in the entire region. Its size and strategic location on the route connecting Egypt and Babylon made it "the head of all those kingdoms" (Joshua 11:10). Hazor's conquest by the Israelites opened the way to the conquest and settlement of the Israelites in Canaan. The city was rebuilt and fortified by King Solomon (1 Kings 9:15) and prospered in the days of Ahab and Jeroboam II, until its final destruction by the Assyrians (2 Kings 15:29) in 732 BCE Hazor is presently one of Israel's national parks.
Excavation works goes on constantly at Tel Hazor. We see in the picture the area in front of the main palace. They have found over 20 successive cities built on this site – stone, mud brick, and wood -- in ancient times until the site was completely destroyed around 732 B.C.
Gila points out chard remains from a fire on the palace walls. Carbon dates puts the fire at 1400 BCE. This date matches Joshua's account of the battle. The carbon dating is more evidence of the accuracy of the Bible stories.
