The Ascent of Ziz

מַעֲלֵה הַצִּיץ · “Tzitz Ascent” on the map

Where was the Ascent of Ziz? From the Ein Gedi shore up toward Tekoa. I mark it probable.

Moab, Ammon and their allies gathered at Ein Gedi to climb into Judah. Jehoshaphat sent singers ahead of his army, praising G-d. By the time Judah reached the wilderness of Tekoa the invaders had turned on each other. Judah spent three days gathering the spoil and named the place the Valley of Blessing.

By Aaron Shaffier, licensed Israel tour guide and mapmaker · About the mapmaker

Site today: From the Ein Gedi shore up toward Tekoa
How sure: Probable The best case we have, with real alternatives.
Other names: Maaleh HaTzitz, Ascent of Tzitz, Pass of Ziz, Cliff of Ziz
Location: 31.5653° N, 35.2291° E (Google Maps)

The Ascent of Ziz on the hand-drawn Map of Biblical Israel — Tzitz Ascent on our hand-drawn Map of Biblical Israel. Get the full map as a print →

How we know where it was

The name appears only once, and the story itself draws the line. The invaders camped at "Hazazon-tamar, that is Ein Gedi." The prophet told Judah they would come up "by the Ascent of Tzitz." Judah went out to meet them in the wilderness of Tekoa. So the climb runs from the shore at Ein Gedi up toward Tekoa.

The exact path is uncertain. Older commentators pointed to the steep pass straight up from the spring at Ein Gedi. One leading archaeologist preferred Nahal Hatzatzon, north of Ein Gedi. Its Arabic name, Wadi Hasasa, seems to echo the biblical Hazazon.