We began by discussing Hezekiah and the Golden Age. It has been said that Hezekiah was preparing for the Assyrian invasion because he knew that he was going to rebel against Sennacherib and Assyria. After the division of Judah and Israel, they would fight each other with the help of friends. Israel would get help from a small kingdom, and then Judah would get help from Egypt. To fight back, Israel would get help from Assyria and then get tired of paying back their debt. This cycle kept going until the bigger nations decided to fight to get their money.
Later we talked about how the Government and writing became more prevalent in the cities. Of these two, writing became a very powerful force. We would see this in Assyria taking the aramaic language, and we also see it in their religions. The stories and the myths were kept around because they were written, and withstood the test of time.
Next we discussed what it meant to be a messiah. Literally, a messiah is someone who rubbed oil on their head. This is a marker for someone of the royal lineage. The anointment of the king has a role in the definition of a messiah. We see the description of a messiah in Isaiah 7,9 and 11 where Hezekiah is referenced as the new messiah to maintain David's dividic lineage.
But, after the death of the dividic line, people had to find a way to explain God's promise to David in that someone of his dividic lineage would always rule Jerusalem. It can be said that after the fall of the lineage, the rest of the bible is an attempt to keep god's words true.
We see in Isaiah 36-39 the major story that permits Jerusalem to have the hand of god protecting it. This is the story of when the Assyrians were going to siege the city and take down Hezekiah's reign. Due to particular reasons, however, Sennacherib and his men did not keep fighting. The bible writes this as a win for Jerusalem, saying that god had helped them to fight back. On Sennacherib's prism though, it is written that he had them cornered but due to internal reasons the Assyrians had to fall back. The failure of the Assyrian's attack on Jerusalem sparked the development of the Zion theology that Jerusalem is the place where god resides and protects. Jeremiah argued that due to this "protection" that god is giving the city, the people think they are free to do whatever they want. Because of this the poor and weak do not do well. After Hezekiah's "victory" he went on a religious reform by abolishing all other areas of worship so that the hebrew god is worshiped only in one area.
Josiah's Jerusalem is somewhat similar in that he has centralized religious reform. After King Hezekiah was King Manasseh, who undid all the reform that Hezekiah did. Josiah, after his "good" rule according to the bible, died at the Megiddo at the hands of Pharaoh Neco. His religious reform came a lot from literature and books. There are 2 trains of thought regarding how Josiah ruled: 1) a scroll detailing how to rule, or 2) the people fabricated that they found a scroll that gave them these rules.
From this we could see that literature was becoming a big deal around the city. Even more so would be literacy. In the Lachish letter 3 there is a soldiering exclaiming that he knows how to write, and that it shouldn't be assumed that he didn't.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Lecture 6
We began by discussing the Golden Age. To establish the Golden age, one must die, establish palaces and temples, and make a united kingdom. Such is the case with David and Solomon. Their reign is considered to be the Golden Age.
Once Solomon's son Rehoboam took control, the states of Judah and Israel split apart. This is said to have happened because Rehoboam was approached by the people of the North, namely Jeroboam, and they asked for lower taxes and less manual labor. Rehoboam considered, and went to the city elders for advice. They said that if he were to help them, the people would love him and serve him forever. For whatever reason, Rehoboam went to his friends and they said to work them harder. For pride, Rehoboam decided to work the people harder than Solomon did, so the North decided to split from the South. This thus created Israel (North) and Judah (South). With this in mind, know that the Hebrew bible was written with the South in favor. This therefore made the North sound bad, while praising the South.
Such as example would be the usage of sacred spaces for worship. The south had Jerusalem, so when Jeroboam of the North created worship places for his people, the South badmouthed him and the North. The South, however, established their own separate worship places too. They, however, didn't criticize themselves.
With this splitting became a lot of conflict over land, and who could get what. A lot of times Judah (south), the smaller of the two sides, would enlist the help of Egypt when the North would attack. This would cause the North to call on Assyria for help. Eventually, this drawing in of different places caused a lot of battle and land taking. Assyria soon became a very powerful state, assuming most of the power and land. The year 721 BCE establishes the strength of Assyria. In this year, the Assyrians attacked and destroyed Samaria, the capital of Israel. With this, Israel crumbled, and the people began to go back to Jerusalem. This journey back became very advantageous for Jerusalem, with an expansion of land and economy. The people, however, would fight over different things such as religion, urban/rural activity, etc.
In the year 721 BCE, Shalmaneser III of Assyria used brutal war tactics such as death and carnage as deterrents for other people to stand against him. As Assyria grew, they adopted the Aramaic language from one of their captured lands. They took this language because it was easier to use than their own Acadian style.
Back in Jerusalem, it is known that when Hezekiah was preparing for an invasion against Assyria because he was intending to rebel. He was developing water ways and fortification to the northern part of Jerusalem. How did his rebellion proceed?
Once Solomon's son Rehoboam took control, the states of Judah and Israel split apart. This is said to have happened because Rehoboam was approached by the people of the North, namely Jeroboam, and they asked for lower taxes and less manual labor. Rehoboam considered, and went to the city elders for advice. They said that if he were to help them, the people would love him and serve him forever. For whatever reason, Rehoboam went to his friends and they said to work them harder. For pride, Rehoboam decided to work the people harder than Solomon did, so the North decided to split from the South. This thus created Israel (North) and Judah (South). With this in mind, know that the Hebrew bible was written with the South in favor. This therefore made the North sound bad, while praising the South.
Such as example would be the usage of sacred spaces for worship. The south had Jerusalem, so when Jeroboam of the North created worship places for his people, the South badmouthed him and the North. The South, however, established their own separate worship places too. They, however, didn't criticize themselves.
With this splitting became a lot of conflict over land, and who could get what. A lot of times Judah (south), the smaller of the two sides, would enlist the help of Egypt when the North would attack. This would cause the North to call on Assyria for help. Eventually, this drawing in of different places caused a lot of battle and land taking. Assyria soon became a very powerful state, assuming most of the power and land. The year 721 BCE establishes the strength of Assyria. In this year, the Assyrians attacked and destroyed Samaria, the capital of Israel. With this, Israel crumbled, and the people began to go back to Jerusalem. This journey back became very advantageous for Jerusalem, with an expansion of land and economy. The people, however, would fight over different things such as religion, urban/rural activity, etc.
In the year 721 BCE, Shalmaneser III of Assyria used brutal war tactics such as death and carnage as deterrents for other people to stand against him. As Assyria grew, they adopted the Aramaic language from one of their captured lands. They took this language because it was easier to use than their own Acadian style.
Back in Jerusalem, it is known that when Hezekiah was preparing for an invasion against Assyria because he was intending to rebel. He was developing water ways and fortification to the northern part of Jerusalem. How did his rebellion proceed?
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Lecture 5
Today we started by talking about the promise that was made to David in 2 Samuel 7, where God doesn't want David to build him a house, and rather he will have David's son build him the house. Along with this, God promises to make the divine line of David last forever, and his monarchy never die. This comes into some conflict however, because his line is defeated by the Babylonians years later. What can be considered truth? Some people have tried to mend the story to fit history, claiming that the story is still accurate and whatever ruling line to come is the divine line. This comes greatly into play when the people see Jesus of Nazareth as the son of David, meaning he is part of that divine line - a mesiah.
In Solomon's Jerusalem, he builds a house for God. This holds true in the further biblical passages for David's Promise. Solomon was said to be a wise man. Also, tradition has it that he authored the Song of songs, and Ecclesiastes. Though he is said to have these qualities, scholars question whether he really did exist. Current theory is that he and David did exist, but they were not as popular or powerful as they were made out to be. Controversy exists over how to analyze the Megiddo. This mountain is associated with a lot of battle, and has participated in the coining of Armageddon. The controversy of Solomon's existence comes with Stratum 5, where one scholar thinks that the stratum refers to Ahab while another thinks it is from Solomon.
We then discussed Solomon's temple. Currently, no tangible evidence has been found that supports the existence of this temple. Current support, however, is seen in the biblical explanations. The descriptions of the temple are extremely similar to temples of the time. This could show that the temple qualities did exist, and that it was model for other temples. It can be said, however, that the writers of the bible wrote about other temples to describe Solomon's temple, but we still don't know.
In Solomon's Jerusalem, he builds a house for God. This holds true in the further biblical passages for David's Promise. Solomon was said to be a wise man. Also, tradition has it that he authored the Song of songs, and Ecclesiastes. Though he is said to have these qualities, scholars question whether he really did exist. Current theory is that he and David did exist, but they were not as popular or powerful as they were made out to be. Controversy exists over how to analyze the Megiddo. This mountain is associated with a lot of battle, and has participated in the coining of Armageddon. The controversy of Solomon's existence comes with Stratum 5, where one scholar thinks that the stratum refers to Ahab while another thinks it is from Solomon.
We then discussed Solomon's temple. Currently, no tangible evidence has been found that supports the existence of this temple. Current support, however, is seen in the biblical explanations. The descriptions of the temple are extremely similar to temples of the time. This could show that the temple qualities did exist, and that it was model for other temples. It can be said, however, that the writers of the bible wrote about other temples to describe Solomon's temple, but we still don't know.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Lecture 4
We began by discussing the possibly existence of David by first looking at the Tel-Dan inscription, which makes mention of a house of David. This tells us that hundreds of years before the inscription was made, there was in fact a group that called themselves the house of david, referring to themselves either as david or somehow associated with the name.
We then discussed Warren's shaft, which could never have been used for water. This shaft leads up near the Gihon Spring, but could actually be a naturally made tunnel, not manmade. We then discussed the Tsinnor, which is a reference water shaft that could be actually referring to Warren's shaft, or another tunnel.
We then talked about the anointing of Solomon, and of a King in general. To anoint, the would-be king must ride on a donkey to the Gihon Spring. We see this in some biblical passages. We also see a passage in which Jesus is mocking as a king, riding a donkey and going to an area that we geographically know to be the Gihon Spring.
We then discussed the inscription in Hezekiah's tunnel, demonstrating that this tunnel was actually made by hand, which goes along with the myth behind it.
Lastly we spoke about the Ark of the Covenant, which is a wood box covered in gold with depictions of Cherubims, which are creatures meant to protect the ends of an opening such as a gate or box. We were exposed to different stories that refer to the ark, and how it has had its mark on the bible and in historical context with its placing inside the Temple.
We then discussed Warren's shaft, which could never have been used for water. This shaft leads up near the Gihon Spring, but could actually be a naturally made tunnel, not manmade. We then discussed the Tsinnor, which is a reference water shaft that could be actually referring to Warren's shaft, or another tunnel.
We then talked about the anointing of Solomon, and of a King in general. To anoint, the would-be king must ride on a donkey to the Gihon Spring. We see this in some biblical passages. We also see a passage in which Jesus is mocking as a king, riding a donkey and going to an area that we geographically know to be the Gihon Spring.
We then discussed the inscription in Hezekiah's tunnel, demonstrating that this tunnel was actually made by hand, which goes along with the myth behind it.
Lastly we spoke about the Ark of the Covenant, which is a wood box covered in gold with depictions of Cherubims, which are creatures meant to protect the ends of an opening such as a gate or box. We were exposed to different stories that refer to the ark, and how it has had its mark on the bible and in historical context with its placing inside the Temple.
Lecture 3
We started the lecture talking about Jerusalem before David. Dr. Cargill told us that the city had been undergoing a series of settlement for over 6000 years. The Bronze Age, namely the time before David, was characterized with several scriptures that make reference to this place before the time of David. Such scriptures are the Amarna letters and the excretion texts (which refer to Rusalimum, which means Jerusalem). These Amarna letters make reference to Jerusalem by way of Cuneiform tablets. These mainly were a form of Suzarein/Vassal treaties, which are when a strong country vows to protect a smaller one from another country for compensation.
We also went over some contradictions that are found in the bible, such as in Joshua, where he has to fight the Jebusites and kill them all because god told him to. Another portion of Joshua and also in Judges we see that there where they are not able to remove the people from Jerusalem and how somehow the people that were supposed to be dead had returned.
We then discussed how Israelites would have gotten there in the first place. Theories include: conquest/non-conquest, immigration, and a racial mixing over time. The ladder theory happens to be the most favored.
We then talked about David's Jerusalem, which is called the Iron age. We then went over the David and Goliath story how David kills Goliath by hitting him with a rock and then cutting his head off. The City of David is found in between two valleys, south of the Temple mount. He then explained the Millo and the House of Bullae. We ended by talking about how the existence of David is actually debated. Did he really exist?
We also went over some contradictions that are found in the bible, such as in Joshua, where he has to fight the Jebusites and kill them all because god told him to. Another portion of Joshua and also in Judges we see that there where they are not able to remove the people from Jerusalem and how somehow the people that were supposed to be dead had returned.
We then discussed how Israelites would have gotten there in the first place. Theories include: conquest/non-conquest, immigration, and a racial mixing over time. The ladder theory happens to be the most favored.
We then talked about David's Jerusalem, which is called the Iron age. We then went over the David and Goliath story how David kills Goliath by hitting him with a rock and then cutting his head off. The City of David is found in between two valleys, south of the Temple mount. He then explained the Millo and the House of Bullae. We ended by talking about how the existence of David is actually debated. Did he really exist?
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Lecture 2
We began this lecture discussing what the concept of a temple is. It was said that a temple is a space with a structure that can be used to worship came a long time ago from Mesopotamian temples. First off we established that a Ziggurat is a place used to worship, and a Pyramid is a burial area. A way to keep people from arguing how the building should be built would be to make it seem as if God was the one to give the plans. It was believed that Mesopotamian buildings were “put down” by god and that they were his design. Also, a tabernacle is a moving structure and a temple used to establish and stay.
We then spoke of how to consecrate a sacred space, and how Jerusalem was consecrated. Jerusalem is a city that happens to attract stories of ancient significance, a feature that makes this place sacred. This stories, however, can be from history, or be borrowed. Once such legend connected to Jerusalem is creation. Also, the story of Akedah where Isaac/Ishmael was nearly killed by his father Abraham, but God decided to ask for another offering. This myth, more central to the Jews than the story of original sin, has been connected to Jerusalem. Another myth making Jerusalem more sacred is that Adam is said to be buried under the Dome of the Rock.
We then spoke of Melchizedek, who was both a priest and a king. This, however, was not permitted back then because the two classes were kept distinct because they were both appointed. We also talked about the Tetragrammaton, and how the actual name of God could be said to be "Yhwh." In the original Hebrew bible, this name was used. In more modern editions, the word LORD is placed in its stead.
We later talked about the Dome of the Rock, and its significance to the praying of people of different faiths. The Dome of the Rock, which was built by Byzantine Christians as a shrine in an octagonal shape, is surrounded by the Temple Mount, which was made by Herod the Great. In connection to this, the Holy Sepulcher is a place were people of different faiths can pray. A muslim family is endowed with the key to enter because they are said to be the least biased when allowing different faiths different time periods to be worshipped.
Lastly we touched upon Mt. Zion and Mt. Zaphon, which seem to be one in the same when comparing Plasm 48 and The epic of Ba'al. What could be the significance of this? Is it an attempt to make one location more holy than the other?
We then spoke of how to consecrate a sacred space, and how Jerusalem was consecrated. Jerusalem is a city that happens to attract stories of ancient significance, a feature that makes this place sacred. This stories, however, can be from history, or be borrowed. Once such legend connected to Jerusalem is creation. Also, the story of Akedah where Isaac/Ishmael was nearly killed by his father Abraham, but God decided to ask for another offering. This myth, more central to the Jews than the story of original sin, has been connected to Jerusalem. Another myth making Jerusalem more sacred is that Adam is said to be buried under the Dome of the Rock.
We then spoke of Melchizedek, who was both a priest and a king. This, however, was not permitted back then because the two classes were kept distinct because they were both appointed. We also talked about the Tetragrammaton, and how the actual name of God could be said to be "Yhwh." In the original Hebrew bible, this name was used. In more modern editions, the word LORD is placed in its stead.
We later talked about the Dome of the Rock, and its significance to the praying of people of different faiths. The Dome of the Rock, which was built by Byzantine Christians as a shrine in an octagonal shape, is surrounded by the Temple Mount, which was made by Herod the Great. In connection to this, the Holy Sepulcher is a place were people of different faiths can pray. A muslim family is endowed with the key to enter because they are said to be the least biased when allowing different faiths different time periods to be worshipped.
Lastly we touched upon Mt. Zion and Mt. Zaphon, which seem to be one in the same when comparing Plasm 48 and The epic of Ba'al. What could be the significance of this? Is it an attempt to make one location more holy than the other?
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Lecture 1
This lecture began with Dr. Cargill establishing how a certain area is designated as "sacred space." We first learned that Jerusalem is the central city for the three primary faiths: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. We then learned that Jerusalem, Mecca, and Rome are three of the major sacred areas.
There are two central reasons that makes an area a "sacred" place: 1) The belief that something supernatural happened there, and 2) Someone important was born there. The travel to the sacred place is called a pilgrimage. People make the pilgrimage to Jerusalem because it is considered one of the most sacred of areas. This city is considered highly sacred because of several reasons:
1) Trade routes, namely The Via Maris and the King's Highway
2) The city is found between the Mediterranean Sea and the Desert
3) The city is on the earthquake fault
4) Though water was once hard to get in Jerusalem, the city is located near the Tigris and Euphrates River
5) It sits on a hill and is between three major valleys (the eastern Kidron valley, the western Hinnom valley, and the central Tyropean valley)
We then learned more about the topography of Jerusalem. First off, it was established that the Western wall is NOT the western wall of the Temple of the dome, but rather the western wall of the temple mount. This place is the closest you can get to the Temple of the dome. Due to this fact, is it considered the holiest site in Jerusalem. The entire city was then broken into quadrants, where Christians are in the NW, Islam is the NE, Armenians are in the SW, and the Jews and in the SE.
Jerusalem , though holy, did not have qualities of a good city such as proximity to water, military capabilities, or trade routes. The biggest issue for the city to thrive was water. To accommodate for this lack of water, ancient peoples crafted what is now known as Warren's shaft so water could be pulled up. Also, Hezekiah's tunnel dumps in the Siload Pool. The water is highly known as a very divine substance. There are four rivers mentioned in stories showing the importance of water (Pishon, Gihon, Tigris, and Euphrates). These rivers were said to flow out of eden into the garden. We see now that in the fronts of churches, temples, etc there are water cleansing areas.
The issue of the city being holy caused havoc between the Israelis and the Palestinians because the Israelis wanted to use archaeology as a tool in order to investigate more about the holiness of the area. This, however, caused a huge struggle between the two groups.
Jerusalem is often considered the center of the world because of the concept of the Axis Mundi. This meant that Jerusalem was in the center between Europa, Asia, and Africa. To establish this holy space, a building must be made. The Towel of babel is one such building. This tower was one of the tools used in the etiology of the bible, trying to explain naturally occurring phenomena.
Lastly, we went over two stories. First, Genesis 11:91-9 is described as etiology. This story involved the tower of babel, and tried to explain occurrences with stories people did not understand. We then went over Genesis 28:10-19, which is Beth-el and Jacob's ladder. Beth is hebrew for house, and el is one of many names for God. In this story there is a man who lies down on his back and when he wakes he sees a ladder with angels going up and down. God is then said to be giving a blessing children. With this in mind, this story can be interpreted as a fertility dream, explaining sex in an obscure way and then having permission from God to have children.
There are two central reasons that makes an area a "sacred" place: 1) The belief that something supernatural happened there, and 2) Someone important was born there. The travel to the sacred place is called a pilgrimage. People make the pilgrimage to Jerusalem because it is considered one of the most sacred of areas. This city is considered highly sacred because of several reasons:
1) Trade routes, namely The Via Maris and the King's Highway
2) The city is found between the Mediterranean Sea and the Desert
3) The city is on the earthquake fault
4) Though water was once hard to get in Jerusalem, the city is located near the Tigris and Euphrates River
5) It sits on a hill and is between three major valleys (the eastern Kidron valley, the western Hinnom valley, and the central Tyropean valley)
We then learned more about the topography of Jerusalem. First off, it was established that the Western wall is NOT the western wall of the Temple of the dome, but rather the western wall of the temple mount. This place is the closest you can get to the Temple of the dome. Due to this fact, is it considered the holiest site in Jerusalem. The entire city was then broken into quadrants, where Christians are in the NW, Islam is the NE, Armenians are in the SW, and the Jews and in the SE.
Jerusalem , though holy, did not have qualities of a good city such as proximity to water, military capabilities, or trade routes. The biggest issue for the city to thrive was water. To accommodate for this lack of water, ancient peoples crafted what is now known as Warren's shaft so water could be pulled up. Also, Hezekiah's tunnel dumps in the Siload Pool. The water is highly known as a very divine substance. There are four rivers mentioned in stories showing the importance of water (Pishon, Gihon, Tigris, and Euphrates). These rivers were said to flow out of eden into the garden. We see now that in the fronts of churches, temples, etc there are water cleansing areas.
The issue of the city being holy caused havoc between the Israelis and the Palestinians because the Israelis wanted to use archaeology as a tool in order to investigate more about the holiness of the area. This, however, caused a huge struggle between the two groups.
Jerusalem is often considered the center of the world because of the concept of the Axis Mundi. This meant that Jerusalem was in the center between Europa, Asia, and Africa. To establish this holy space, a building must be made. The Towel of babel is one such building. This tower was one of the tools used in the etiology of the bible, trying to explain naturally occurring phenomena.
Lastly, we went over two stories. First, Genesis 11:91-9 is described as etiology. This story involved the tower of babel, and tried to explain occurrences with stories people did not understand. We then went over Genesis 28:10-19, which is Beth-el and Jacob's ladder. Beth is hebrew for house, and el is one of many names for God. In this story there is a man who lies down on his back and when he wakes he sees a ladder with angels going up and down. God is then said to be giving a blessing children. With this in mind, this story can be interpreted as a fertility dream, explaining sex in an obscure way and then having permission from God to have children.
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