CIIORAZIN (Xopai'lv). This place is only mentioned in the Bible as one of the three cities in which most of Christ's mighty works had been done, and on which woes were pronounced because of their unbelief (Matt. xi. 21 ; Luke x. 13). No indication is given of its situation farther than that it seems to have been near Bethsaida. Jerome in forms us that Capernaum, Bethsaida, and Chorazin all lay on the shore of the Sea of Galilee ; and that Chorazin was two miles from Capernaum (Comm. in Esai. ix. i ; Onomast. s.v. Chomzain). The most satisfactory description of the position of Chorazin is given by St. Willibald, who visited this region in the beginning of the eighth century. From Tiberias he went to Magdulum (now Mejde/); thence to Bethsaida ; thence to Chorazin, where there was a Christian church; and thence to the sources of the Jordan at Banias (Early Tray. in Pal., p. 16). Capernaum was situated at Khan Minyeh (CAPER NA.um), Bethsaida at Tabighah (BETHsAIDA) ; and consequently we must look for the site of Chorazin along the shore between the latter place and the mouth of the upper Jordan, and at the distance of about two miles from Capernaum. With such data we can have no difficulty in identifying Chorazin with the extensive ruins of situated on the shore of the lake, nearly three miles from Capernaum.
The ruins of Tell Hinn are among the most re markable in northern Palestine. To reach and ex plore them is no easy task. No trodden path leads to them. The Arabs seem to avoid them. Thickets of thistles as tall as a man on horseback, and so dense that no horse can break through them, en compass and cover the whole site. The ruins lie close upon the shore, and are here and there washed by the waves. They cover a level tract about half
a mile long by a quarter broad, and consist chiefly of foundations and heaps of rough stones. There is a small tower built up of old materials, in part standing. A short distance from it are the remains of one of the most beautiful buildings in Palestine. It was upwards of too feet long by So wide.
Numbers of Corinthian columns, sculptured entab latures, and ornamented friezes, lie around it in con fused heaps. Among them are large slabs of lime stone, on which are sculptured panels and orna mented work. This splendid structure appears to have been a synagogue. Its date cannot be earlier than the fifth century. After the destruction of Jerusalem, the Jewish Sanhedrim assembled at Tiberias, which continued to be the capital of their nation for three centuries. The Jews gathered round it, and formed a large proportion of the population of Galilee from the second to the sixth century. They were rich and powerful ; and they have left traces of their taste and architectural skill in many of the towns. The woe pronounced by our Lord has come upon Chorazin (Robinson, B.R., iii. 359 ; Handbook of S. and P., 427).
About three miles inland from Tell Hfirn is a fountain, and the ruins of a small village, bearing the name Kerazeh, which some identify with Chora zin (Keith on Prophecy; Thomson, The Land and the Book). But may it not be, as suggested by Dr. Robinson, that after the destruction of the town on the exposed coast, some of the inhabitants retired to this more secure spot, carrying with them the name of their home ; just as happened at Sa.repta ? (Van de Velde, ii. 396).—J. L. P.