Nebi Samwil

Also known as en-Nebi Samwil, Nabi Samwil, Neby Samwil, Beeroth(?), High Place of Gibeon(?), Maspha(?), Mizpah(?)

Aerial of Nebi Samwil

Though its name identifies it as the home of the prophet Samuel and the tomb of Samuel is here venerated by Muslims and Jews, scholars are agreed that Samuel's home and place of burial are at Ramah, about five miles away.  Excavations around the modern building which houses a mosque and a synagogue have revealed significant remains from the Crusader period.

High Place of Gibeon

The modern mosque and its minaret are visible on the skyline for miles around, making it a good reference point.  Before the mosque was constructed in the 16th century, a synagogue stood here.  The synagogue was built atop remains of an earlier Crusader church.  Rabbi Benjamin of Tudela indicated that this church was dedicated to Samuel of Shiloh.

High Place of Gibeon

This prominent peak dominates the Central Benjamin Plateau and is situated just south and above the city of Gibeon.  Some have postulated that the "high place of Gibeon" where the tabernacle stood and Solomon offered sacrifices was located here.  If so, Nebi Samwil would be the place where the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream and granted him discernment.

Related Websites

Nabi Samwil (Christian Travel Study Program)  Features several good pictures with excellent identifying captions, accompanied by text highlighting interesting features of the site. 

Nebi Samwil - Site of a Biblical Town and a Crusader Fortress (Israel MFA)  Gives an interesting and detailed history of the site, accompanied by several enlargeable pictures.  Copy of this page at Jewish Virtual Library.

Nebi Samwil (Snunit, founded at Hebrew University, Jerusalem)  Brief description of the site with a beautiful photograph from Jerusalem Skyline book.

Nebi Samwil (Travel Net, by Bazak)  A history of the mosque with directions.

Religious harmony reigns at prophet's resting place (Jewish Bulletin of Northern California)  A religious history of the site reveals Nebi Samwil to be a place of uncharacteristic religious tolerance.

Mizpah (Walking in Their Sandals) An explanation of the biblical site that is sometimes identified with Nebi Samwil.