The plain of Acco: Acco, Aczib, Ladder of Tyre
The coastal cities of Acco and Aczib (Achzib) were allotted to the tribe of Asher in the days of Joshua (Joshua 19:24-31). According to this text the territory reached from (Mount) Carmel on the south to Great Sidon on the north. Israel was not able to control all of the territory
Geographers describe the coastal portion of Asher as the plain of Acco.
Asher did not drive out the inhabitants of Acco, or the inhabitants of Sidon, or of Ahlab, or of Achzib, or of Helbah, or of Aphik, or of Rehob. (Judges 1:31 NAU)
The map below, intended to show the location of Aczib, shows the coastal area from Mount Carmel (where Haifa is located) to the Ladder of Tyre. The Ladder of Tyre is a natural formation that has served as a border between Israel and Lebanon during many historical periods. Within this territory you see Acco and Aczib.
Map showing Plain of Acco in tribe of Asher. BibleMapper.org.
In the aerial photo below you will see the view north from Acco, including the Crusader city, to the ladder of Tyre. The total distance is about 20 miles.
Aerial view north from Acco to the Ladder of Tyre. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.
In New Testament times the city of Acco was know as Ptolemais. The only biblical reference to the city is in the account of Paul’s return from his third journey. From Tyre to Ptolemais is a distance of about 45 miles. Paul and his companions stayed stayed seven days at Tyre, but only one day at Ptolemais.
When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais, and after greeting the brethren, we stayed with them for a day. On the next day we left and came to Caesarea, and entering the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, we stayed with him. (Acts 21:7-8 NAU)
In a subsequent post we plan to show you the Plain of Acco between Mount Carmel (Haifa) and Acco.
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