Achziv National Park

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Site Overview

Region: Western Galilee
Biblical Territory: Asher
Modern Site: Achziv National Park
Scripture References: Josh. 19:24–29; Judg. 1:31

Achziv was one of the coastal cities assigned to the tribe of Asher during the division of the Promised Land. Although included within Asher's inheritance, the Israelites never fully possessed the area, making Achziv an example of the incomplete conquest described in the book of Judges. Today the site lies within Achziv National Park along Israel's Mediterranean coast, where visitors can explore archaeological remains while reflecting on the covenant promises and responsibilities associated with Israel's settlement of the land.

Reflection

What can we learn from Achziv's history? Joshua taught Israel to choose whom they would serve (Josh. 24:15). The challenge remains the same today. How does this site help us better understand that choice?

Achziv

Entrance sign for Achziv National Park.

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Main entrance and visitor facilities at Achziv National Park. While helping me resolve a problem with my park pass, one of the attendants jokingly asked if I planned to go swimming. After spending the day along the shore, it looked as though I had.

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Visitor and overnight camping entrance fees. When this photograph was taken, the exchange rate was NIS 3.22 per U.S. dollar. I purchased a yearly parks pass for NIS 208 ($62), which paid for itself after visiting four or five sites.

Achziv swimmers

View northwest: Campers enjoying an early-morning swim. Notice the fisherman (top right), also visible in the main photo at the top of the page.

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Young fishermen casting into the Mediterranean near Achziv. The buildings of Nahariya are visible in the distance (top left).

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View Southwest: Another perspective of the shoreline and swimming area at Achziv.

Achziv - Restored Moslem mosque from 1948

Restored mosque from the former village of al-Zib, whose residents left during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. Today the surrounding grounds serve as part of Achziv National Park and a popular camping area.

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Mediterranean Sea at Achziv. The white buildings (top center) are in the coastal city of Nahariya, where I catch the bus to Haifa.

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The white chalk cliffs of Rosh HaNikra (Hebrew: “head of the grotto”) mark Israel’s northern Mediterranean coast near the border with Lebanon. The area corresponds to the ancient Ladder of Tyre mentioned in 1 Macc. 11:59. The cliffs represent the modern border between Israel and Lebanon. This photograph was taken from Achziv National Park using a telephoto lens.

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Fisherman at Achziv

I captured this photo from the shore with a telephoto lens. The morning I visited Achziv, numerous fishermen were casting from the offshore rocks. This gentleman was the farthest from shore. The same rock formation appears in the wider lagoon photograph below.