The prevailing weather patterns of this Middle Eastern land travel from west to east. Beginning over the Mediterranean Sea, winds, clouds, and rains first cross the coastal plains of Philistia. Then they ascend to traverse the rolling hills of the Shephelah and the Judean mountains of the middle section of the land. Next comes the deep rift of the Jordan depression, and finally the Transjordan highlands of ancient Edom and Moab. Once more, the compactness of
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