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'''Magdala''' (or ''Magadan'', Greek: Μαγδαλά, meaning 'place where fish are salted')<ref>[http://biblehub.com/greek/3093.htm 3093. Magadan, Strong's Dictionary]</ref> is an ancient biblical site, most well-known for being the hometown of [[Mary Magdalene]], the women whom Jesus cast seven demons out of. Magdala is explicitly mentioned only once in the [[Gospels]], in Matthew 15:39. Jesus was said to have entered into the vicinity of Magdala after the feeding of the 5,000. The biblical city of Magdala has been identified with the ancient site of [[Taricheae]].
== Biblical Passages ==
Magdala is only once explicitly mentioned in the [[New Testament]], in Matthew 15:39, and is mentioned several times as the region where [[Mary Magdalene]] was from.
'''Matthew 15:39''': After dismissing the crowds, He got into the boat and went to the region of Magdala.
'''Mark 15:40''': There were also women looking on from a distance, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome.
'''John 20:1''': Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.
== Archaeology ==
Magdala has been identified with the ancient site of [[Taricheae]].<ref>Rossi, Veronica, et al. "New insights into the palaeoenvironmental evolution of Magdala ancient harbour (Sea of Galilee, Israel) from ostracod assemblages, geochemistry and sedimentology." Journal of Archaeological Science 54 (2015): 356-373.</ref> Magdala (located near present-day Migdal) is on the Western coastline of the Sea of Galilee and at the eastern foothills of Mount Arbel. Magdala was an ancient site primarily engaged in the fishing industry, and between 60-40 BC, it transitioned from a small village into a prosperous city, known for both its fish salting and boat-building.<ref>[http://www.magdala.org/about/the-story/timeline/ Magdala - Timeline]</ref> It remained the largest urban center in the western coast of the [[Sea of Galilee]] until the establishment of the ancient city of [[Tiberias]] in 19 AD.<ref>[http://www.magdala.org/about/the-story/timeline/ Magdala - History]</ref>, and is also well-known for being the home of not only [[Mary Magdalene]], but the ancient Jewish historian [[Flavius Josephus]].<ref>[http://www.westernjournalism.com/new-archaeological-discoveries-at-mary-magdalenes-birthplace-give-more-insight-in-roots-of-christianity/ ‘Below The Surface For 2000 Years’]</ref> The population of Magdala approached 30,000 nearing the middle of the first century AD, and it also became an important site for Jewish rebels during the [[Great Jewish Revolt]] of 66-73 AD. Eventually, Roman forces led by [[Vespasian]] laid siege to the city, destroyed it, and slaughtered its inhabitants. Magdala has been the subject of numerous important archaeological discoveries, including a first-century Jewish synagogue, as well as the finding of the [[Magdala Stone]], considered by many to be one of the most important single archaeological findings in the last 50 years.<ref>[http://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/biblical-sites-places/biblical-archaeology-sites/discoveries-in-mary-magdalenes-hometown/ Discoveries in Mary Magdalene's Hometown]</ref>
== External Links ==
*[http://www.magdala.org/ Magdala Official Website]
*[http://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/biblical-sites-places/biblical-archaeology-sites/discoveries-in-mary-magdalenes-hometown/ Discoveries in Mary Magdalene’s Hometown]
== References ==
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