Volume 2

The Baths of Bethulia
10. JESUS AT THE BATHS OF BETHULIA
AND IN JETEBATHA
265
At first I thought that Jesus was going to Gennabris,
situated among the mountains, about three hours west of
Tiberias. But He did not go there, but to the north side
of the valley where was the fountain of Bethuel. A great
many wealthy and distinguished people from Galilee and
Judea owned villas and gardens here, which they occupied
in the beautiful season of the year. On the south
side of the lake, formed by the northern declivity of the
heights of Bethuel, were rows of houses and warm baths,
those toward the east being the warmer. The baths had
one large reservoir in common, around which were private
apartments formed by tents; in them were tubs sunk
to a greater or lesser depth in the water, according to the
convenience of the bathers. These private apartments
comnlunicated with the reservoir. There were many inns
in the neighborhood of the baths. A private house and
garden could also be hired for the season with everything
else free. The revenues belonged to the city of Bethulia,
and were used principally to keep up the baths. The
waters of the lake were uncomnl0nly pure, clear as a mirror
to the very bottom, which was paved with beautiful,
little white pebbles. It was fed by a stream from the east
which flowed from the baths in the valley of Magdalum.
The lake swarmed with little pleasure boats, which in the
distance looked like ducks. On the north side of the lake,
but facing south, were dwellings for the accommodation
of female visitors at the baths. Their walks and pleasure
grounds, however, were near the brook that flowed
through those of the men. Both sides of the valley formed
a gentle declivity toward the lake. From the dwellings
and baths there ran around the lake, crossing and opening
into one another, shady avenues, embowered walks
with wide-stretching trees and luxuriant foliage, among