The “discovery” of DTR1, the ‘kernel’ of the Pentateuch, in the Temple In 622 BCE, during renovations to the Jerusalem Temple, the high priest Hilkiah discovered a scroll or “law book”, which he showed to the king’s scribe, Shaphan who in turn took it to the king, Josiah<span “font-size:12.0pt;font-family:=”” “times=”” roman”,serif;mso-fareast-font-family:”times=”” roman”;mso-ansi-language:=”” en-us;mso-fareast-language:en-us;mso-bidi-language:ar-sa”=””>[1]. The scroll […]
EIGHT: THE HEBREW BIBLE: How the Hebrew Bible came into being
How the Hebrew Bible came into being Image source: http://www.solveisraelsproblems.com/the-remarkable-revival-of-the-hebrew-language/ Think of the Bible the way you would a stratified archaeological site. Some of it was written in the eighth century B.C., some the seventh and then going all the way to the second B.C. So 600 years of compilation. This doesn’t mean that […]
SEVEN: THE HEBREW BIBLE: The rise of the scribe. . .
The rise of the scribe: the transition from oral tradition to the hegemony of text and the orthodoxy of the book< Remember that different forms of Yahwism were each characterised by their own particular brand and interpretation. Even in traditional Yahwism with its pagan associations, there was a competition between rivals, as they merged with one […]
SIX: THE HEBREW BIBLE: The religion of ancient Israel and Judah was polytheism
The religion of ancient Israel and Judah was polytheism Israel emerged from Canaan and so adopted The Canaanite pantheon of gods[1]The Bible says that the religion of Israel and Judah was always monotheistic, but this is not […]
FIVE: THE HEBREW BIBLE: Israel as a people emerged from Canaan not Egypt
Israel as a people emerged from Canaan not Egypt Israel and Judah: The geographical zones. Source: https://bleon1.wordpress.com/2013/09/19/physical-features-of-the-land-of-israel/ Map by Scott Richardson. The existence of a united kingdom and its subsequent divide is central to the Bible’s theology, but as Finkelstein and Silberman point out, this is simply not an accurate representation of the historical reality[1]. The […]
FOUR: THE HEBREW BIBLE: The United Monarchy – David and Solomon*
The United Monarchy – David and Solomon* The Tel Dan Stele, Israel Museum The Bible tells us that before there was a dual monarchy there was a united kingdom, presided over by kings. The first king was the “brooding, handsome”<span “font-size:12.0pt;font-family:=”” “times=”” roman”,serif;mso-fareast-font-family:”times=”” roman”;mso-ansi-language:=”” en-us;mso-fareast-language:en-us;mso-bidi-language:ar-sa”=””>[1] Saul from the tribe of Benjamin who reigned from about 1025 to […]