The Iron Age I Structure on Mt. Ebal

The Iron Age I Structure on Mt. Ebal PDF Author: Ralph K. Hawkins
Publisher: Penn State Press
ISBN: 1575066742
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 300

Book Description
In Josh 8:30–35, Israel constructs an altar on Mt. Ebal in fulfillment of the command of Deut 27:1–8. This structure had very important social, political, and religious implications for Israel, for it was the first structure to be built after the people entered the land of Canaan. Once the altar was completed, sacrifices were to be offered on it, and a renewal of the covenant was to be carried out (patterned after the ritual of Deut 31:9–13). This covenant renewal was necessary to integrate the people into the covenant who had not been a part of the Sinai experience. The event was significant enough to establish nearby Shechem as the tribal league shrine, and it was the first political and religious ceremony that the Israelites undertook following their entry into the land. As a covenant ratification, it could be described as their ratification as a nation. The altar on Mt. Ebal and its concomitant ceremony were, therefore, according to the claims of the Hebrew Bible, of supreme importance in the life of ancient Israel. In 1980, during the survey of the territory of Manasseh, Israeli archaeologist Adam Zertal discovered a site on Mt. Ebal dating to the period of Iron I, during which the Israelites began to sedentarize in the central hill country of Canaan. The site was excavated over eight seasons, from 1982 to 1989, under the auspices of the University of Haifa and the Israel Exploration Society. In 1985, Zertal published an article in which he suggested that the structure on Ebal may have been the altar of Josh 8:30–35. In The Iron Age I Structure on Mt. Ebal, Ralph Hawkins reviews the excavation on Mt. Ebal and its results, including the scarabs, seals, and animal bones found there. He examines the architecture of the site in relation to Mesopotamian watchtowers, altars, and the descriptions of altars in mishnaic materials, Ezekiel, and Deuteronomic passages. This fascinating book examines the Mt. Ebal site using a comparative method for both the physical data and the textual data. The site and its artifacts are analyzed and then compared with alternative proposals and literary traditions. The site is placed in its broader regional context in order to determine how it might relate to the larger settlement picture of Iron Age I. The primary purpose is to examine the data with a view to determining the nature and function of the site and its possible relation to Josh 8:30–35. A compelling read for biblical and archaeological students and scholars, who will better be able to envision sites of past events.

Joshua's Altar

Joshua's Altar PDF Author: Milt Machlin
Publisher: William Morrow
ISBN:
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 264

Book Description
In Joshua's Altar, Milt Machlin narrates the gripping story of a physically disable archaeologist who literally crawled across a desert to unearth this incredible site at Mount Ebal. Steeped in controversy, the book unveils the first archaeological discovery of an actual physical location that corroborates a biblical reference. Illustrations. 16 pages of black-and-white photos.

Pondering the Spade

Pondering the Spade PDF Author: David B. Schreiner
Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers
ISBN: 1498294030
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 161

Book Description
The close relationship between the Old Testament and archaeology goes without saying. However, the methodological nuances involved are often either underappreciated or ignored. Using William Dever's idea of convergence, this work attempts to flesh out details on how archaeology and Old Testament studies merge. It examines some of the most important archaeological finds to date and determines that, whether through a broad or narrow convergence, the history of research has shown that these two separate disciplines exhibit a tendency to inform one another. In the case of Old Testament studies, these convergences may even be paradigm-shifting. In every case, the convergences are historically and culturally informative, and therefore illuminate the depth of the biblical text.

How Israel Became a People

How Israel Became a People PDF Author: Dr. Ralph K. Hawkins
Publisher: Abingdon Press
ISBN: 1426755430
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 473

Book Description
How did Israel become a people? Is the biblical story accurate? In what sense, if any, is the biblical story true? Are the origins of these ancient people lost in myth or is there hope to discovering who they were and how they lived? These questions divide students and scholars alike. While many believe the "Conquest" is only a fable, this book will present a different view. Using biblical materials and the new archaeological data, this title tells how the ancient Israelites settled in Canaan and became the people of Israel. The stakes for understanding the history of ancient Israel are high. The Old Testament tells us that Yahweh led the Hebrews into the land of Canaan and commanded them to drive its indigenous inhabitants out and settle in their place. This account has often served as justification for the possession of the land by the modern state of Israel. Archaeology is a "weapon" in the debate, used by both Israelis and Palestinians trying to write each other out of the historical narrative. This book provides needed background for the issues and will be of interest to those concerned with the complexity of Arab-Israeli relations.

The Footprints of God

The Footprints of God PDF Author: Adam Zertal
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780999620298
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

Book Description
From 1978 onwards, an emergency archaeological survey of the Jordan Valley and Samaria, was conducted by Professor Adam Zertal and the Manasseh Hill Country Survey.During the survey, 6 Foot / Sandal shaped structures were found dating to the Iron Age 1 period. These structures were part of an influx of semi nomadic settlements that suddenly appeared in the Jordan Valley during the early Iron Age.This influx was attributed by Professor Zertal to the Israelite invasion foretold in the book of Joshua.After researching these monuments, Zertal came to the conclusion that they are the early cultic sites of the Israelites described in the Bible as Gilgal.

Sepher Torath Mosheh

Sepher Torath Mosheh PDF Author: Daniel Isaac Block
Publisher: Hendrickson Publishers
ISBN: 1683070666
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 468

Book Description
In few areas of critical Old Testament research is the chasm between evangelical and mainstream scholarship as broad as in discussions of the book of Deuteronomy. The issues relate not only to the provenance of the book, but also to its origin and composition, its ideology, its ethic, and its relationship to other biblical books. Evangelicals differ in their responses to historical-critical scholarship. Some avoid it as much as possible; others consider neither critical methodologies nor the results of critical scholarship to be threatening to their evangelical convictions. The essays in Sepher Torath Mosheh consist of invited papers that were presented at a special colloquium on the book of Deuteronomy at Wheaton College in the fall of 2015. Their purpose is to explore historical, literary, theological, and ethical issues at the heart of the tensions evangelicals feel with regard to mainstream scholarship on Deuteronomy. Although the contributors represent a broad spectrum of theological and hermeneutical perspectives within evangelicalism, they all subscribe to the statement on Scripture that unites the fellows of the Institute for Biblical Research: belief in "the unique divine inspiration, integrity, and authority of the Bible."

Five Views on the Exodus

Five Views on the Exodus PDF Author: Zondervan,
Publisher: Zondervan Academic
ISBN: 0310108756
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 300

Book Description
Gain a thorough understanding of the competing views on the historicity, chronology, and theological implications of the exodus. The biblical account of the Israelite exodus from Egypt is one of the most enduring narratives ever told and is a foundational event for several world religions. It resonates across cultures with its timeless themes of redemption and deliverance. It is also the only explanation the Bible gives for Israel's origin. Despite its unique legacy, many scholars regard the exodus as fictitious or a cultural memory that may not be a historical event. Even among those who believe the exodus happened, there is no consensus regarding its date. Five Views on the Exodus brings together experts in the fields of biblical studies, Egyptology, and archaeology to discuss and debate the most vexing questions about the exodus. Each offers their own view and constructive responses to other leading views: Early Date: The Exodus Took Place in the Fifteenth Century BC (Scott Stripling) Late Date: A Historical Exodus in the Thirteenth Century BC (James K. Hoffmeier) A Hyksos Levite Led Exodus in the Time of Ramesses II (Peter Feinman) Alternative Late Date: The Exodus Took Place in the Twelfth Century BC (Gary A. Rendsburg) The Exodus as Cultural Memory: A Transformation of Historical Events (Ronald Hendel) The Counterpoints series presents a comparison and critique of scholarly views on topics important to Christians that are both fair-minded and respectful of the biblical text. Each volume is a one-stop reference that allows readers to evaluate the different positions on a specific issue and form their own, educated opinion.

Stone Vessels in the Near East during the Iron Age and the Persian Period

Stone Vessels in the Near East during the Iron Age and the Persian Period PDF Author: Andrea Squitieri
Publisher: Archaeopress Publishing Ltd
ISBN: 178491553X
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 288

Book Description
This book focuses on the characteristics and the development of the stone vessel industry in the Near East during the Iron Age and the Persian period (c. 1200 – 330 BCE).

Congress Volume Munich 2013

Congress Volume Munich 2013 PDF Author: Christl M. Maier
Publisher: BRILL
ISBN: 9004281223
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 477

Book Description
This volume presents the main lectures of the 21st Congress of the International Organization for the Study of the Old Testament (IOSOT) held in Munich, Germany, in August 2013. Seventeen essays of internationally distinguished scholars offer a representative view of recent developments in the study of the Hebrew Bible.

Ancient Israel's History

Ancient Israel's History PDF Author: Bill T. Arnold
Publisher: Baker Academic
ISBN: 1441246347
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 560

Book Description
The history of Israel is a much-debated topic in Old Testament studies. On one side are minimalists who find little of historical value in the Hebrew Bible. On the other side are those who assume the biblical text is a precise historical record. Many serious students of the Bible find themselves between these two positions and would benefit from a careful exploration of issues in Israelite history. This substantive history of Israel textbook values the Bible's historical contribution without overlooking critical issues and challenges. Featuring the latest scholarship, the book introduces students to the current state of research on issues relevant to the study of ancient Israel. The editors and contributors, all top biblical scholars and historians, discuss historical evidence in a readable manner, using both canonical and chronological lenses to explore Israelite history. Illustrative items, such as maps and images, visually support the book's content. Tables and sidebars are also included.