Emmaus of Tiberias
See also: Emmaus on the Mountain, Emmaus on the Plain.
Spa resort near Tiberias.
Residents or Natives
Appius Fabius, an old drunken debauchee
Description
Thermal spa location situated near sulfur springs south of Tiberias, on the lakeshore. It is a place of "scandalous license" visited by a cosmopolitan crowd.We arrived at the Baths: a series of white marble buildings, facing the lake, separated by avenues, and separated from the lake by a large tree-planted square under which those who have arrived circulate, waiting for the bath, or to recover after the bath. Bronze Medusa heads, protruding from the wall of a building, pour steaming Waters into a marble basin, which is white on the outside and reddish inside, as if covered with rusted iron. Many Israelites go to the springs and drink the mineral Water with cups. I see only Hebrews doing this, and at this pavilion. I guess that the faithful Israelites wanted to have a special place to avoid contact with the Gentiles.[1]
Notable Events
A collective healing involving Israelites, Romans, and Gentiles. Jesus first preached his universal Doctrine and collected alms on behalf of the beggars[2].
Its Name
Emmaus, Hamat Tiberias, חמת טבריה[3]
(Hot spring)
Where is it mentioned in the work?
EMV 462 EMV 488
Learn more about this place
The thermal springs of Tiberias have been known since antiquity. They are still found at Hamat Tiberias, 1.6 km south of the city.
These hot springs are rich in natural mineral salts that emerge from a depth of 2,000 meters. These salts are also sold in Israel's pharmacies.
The hot Waters contain large amounts of sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, as well as calcium salts, and over the centuries they have cured skin problems and diseases such as rheumatism, arthritis, and gynecological disorders.
The hot baths of Tiberias contributed to the fame of this city built by Herod Antipas about 10 years before Jesus passed there.
Excerpt from the Geographical Dictionary of the Gospel Salton Maria Valtorta, by Jean-François Lavère:Jesus has just crossed Tiberias and is heading south, towards Tarichea. “Jesus also goes out on the road and quickly joins the Apostles. ‘Let us take the road to Emmaus. Many unfortunate ones go to the springs, some to obtain healing, others to find relief’”[4]. The account contains several accurate details. “There hangs in the air the smell of sulfurous waters” “noted” Maria Valtorta, who also notes “the steaming waters in a marble basin, which is white on the outside and reddish inside, as if covered with rusted iron”[4].The Apostles are disgusted to approach “these filthy people”, Jesus replies to them: “They are not all filthy. There are many Israelites among them”[5]. A clarification given by the tourist site of the Hamat Tiberias National Park confirms this statement: “The Jewish people were permitted to bathe at Hamat Tiberias, even on Sabbath days.”
Elsewhere, Maria Valtorta hesitates somewhat among all these villages named Emmaus: “I found more than one Emmaus in Judea, not to mention this locality near Tarichea” she then writes.
Located two kilometers south of Tiberias, these hot springs are mentioned by Pliny[6] (“Tiberias, which has thermal and healthful springs”); by Flavius Josephus[7]; and by the Talmud.
Explore
• 32° 45’ 59’’ N / 35° 33’ 00’’ E
• -200m
Notes and references
Article partially written from the Geographical Dictionary of the Gospel Salton Maria Valtorta, by Jean-François Lavère.