The fact that Jerusalem did not get taken by Assyria was one indication that God protected the city. The survival of Jerusalem during this period was attributed to God. In other parts of Judah, 46 cities were destroyed, exiled, and conquered by the Assyrians. In a Assyrian text, the king referenced Jerusalem by stating that he was trapped "like a bird in a cage.". This event was one of the five events that built the legend of Jerusalem.
In the Bible, the prophecy states that "God will defend this city" for my sake and for my servant's David's sake. The question remains whether the prophesy was written before or after the fact. Although God kept the promise that Jerusalem would survival, the question remains about how God allowed Soloman's temple to be destroyed.
The Deuteronomistic reforms centralized religion. This religious reform centralized religion because it accelerated the transition from a rule by a king to a rule under a text.The alternative shrines and pillars were abolished and people had to come to Jerusalem to pray. Under this reform, people were told to stop worshiping all these other gods and a lot of the other gods dealt with fertility promises.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Tuesday: Week 4
How do you make a golden age? The steps are to die because people get memorialized after their death, and to build a palace, kingdom, or temple. However, the golden age ended when David and Soloman died and Soloman son's took over, a person who was oppressive towards his people. Due to Soloman son's actions, the northern tribes rebelled and divided the kingdom into two parts, "Tudah", and "Israel".
The new shrines of worship in Bethel and Danwas built by the northern tribes were criticized in the Bible. The purpose of these alternative shrines was to serve as an alternative to Jerusalem after the division. However, there were also two new shrines in the south as well at the Beer-Sheva and Arad Temples. The original sites of worship in Israel was Samaria and Jerusalem in Judah.
The 8th century saw the rise of the Assyrian empire. In 721 BCE the capital of the northern 10 tribes fall and people from the 10 tribes fled to Jerusalem. During this period the population of Jerusalem rose from 8,000 to 40,000 because people who lived in the north were under a policy of forced deportation. Urbanization of Jerusalem caused the economy of Jerusalem to grow and an wine and olive industry emerged in Jerusalem during this period. One problem that immigration to Jerusalem is that tension increased because of the cultural differences between the north and south. The north was cosmopolitan and the south was traditional/rural.
One interesting fact about the Assyrian is that the adopted the use of Aramaic from one of the people they conquered. It was much easier to use Aramaic because there were fewer characters.
Hezekiah was one of the more important rulers of Jerusalem during this period. He fortified the city's northern end and build the Hezekiah tunnel to bring water into the city. He also used the seal BMLK, or belonging to the king" for administrative purposes. Hezekiah also build 3 more administrative centers to collect grain for the growing population of Jerusalem.
The new shrines of worship in Bethel and Danwas built by the northern tribes were criticized in the Bible. The purpose of these alternative shrines was to serve as an alternative to Jerusalem after the division. However, there were also two new shrines in the south as well at the Beer-Sheva and Arad Temples. The original sites of worship in Israel was Samaria and Jerusalem in Judah.
The 8th century saw the rise of the Assyrian empire. In 721 BCE the capital of the northern 10 tribes fall and people from the 10 tribes fled to Jerusalem. During this period the population of Jerusalem rose from 8,000 to 40,000 because people who lived in the north were under a policy of forced deportation. Urbanization of Jerusalem caused the economy of Jerusalem to grow and an wine and olive industry emerged in Jerusalem during this period. One problem that immigration to Jerusalem is that tension increased because of the cultural differences between the north and south. The north was cosmopolitan and the south was traditional/rural.
One interesting fact about the Assyrian is that the adopted the use of Aramaic from one of the people they conquered. It was much easier to use Aramaic because there were fewer characters.
Hezekiah was one of the more important rulers of Jerusalem during this period. He fortified the city's northern end and build the Hezekiah tunnel to bring water into the city. He also used the seal BMLK, or belonging to the king" for administrative purposes. Hezekiah also build 3 more administrative centers to collect grain for the growing population of Jerusalem.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Week 3: Thursday
Some of the main ideas from today's lecture
One of the most important lines in the Hebrew Bible came from 2 Samuel 7. In 2 Samuel 7, there is an eternal promise that there will be a king in the House of David. Some interpret this quote as "God makes a promise and did not fulfill it", but other interpret this quote as "Jesus was called the son of David and therefore there is a tie in the genealogy between David and Jesus".
Nathan was the prophet to David. The role that prophets play in ancient times can be compared to the role that the press plays today. Like the press, prophets rule against the king and hold the king in check.
One interpretation of why God did not want David to build a home for him was because 1 Chronicles mentions that David killed a lot of people. Therefore, Soloman and not David built the temple.
One of the most important lines in the Hebrew Bible came from 2 Samuel 7. In 2 Samuel 7, there is an eternal promise that there will be a king in the House of David. Some interpret this quote as "God makes a promise and did not fulfill it", but other interpret this quote as "Jesus was called the son of David and therefore there is a tie in the genealogy between David and Jesus".
Nathan was the prophet to David. The role that prophets play in ancient times can be compared to the role that the press plays today. Like the press, prophets rule against the king and hold the king in check.
One interpretation of why God did not want David to build a home for him was because 1 Chronicles mentions that David killed a lot of people. Therefore, Soloman and not David built the temple.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Week 3: Tuesday
The Tel Dan Inscription provided evidence in the 9th century about the existence of David. One of the lines in the Tel Dan Inscription mentioned "the House of David". However, it might have been just a reference to the people of Israel instead of a reference to King David. Since the Tel Dan Inscription was found in an archaeological context, it's authenticity is confirmed.
Everything in Jerusalem revolved around water. Debate about the Warren shaft revolved around whether it was a preexisting natural rift or a "cut shaft. There is a reference to the Warren shaft in 2 Samuel. Archaeologists are in debate about whether people drop buckets to get water from the shaft. Another route that water could have reached the city was through the Siloan channel. According to professor Cargill, the water in the shaft would support around 25,000 people.
The "ark of the covenant" was a portable throne when David arrived in Jerusalem. David brought the arc to Jerusalem and built the David's palace for the arc of the covenant. However, he did not build the temple at the top of the temple mount.
Everything in Jerusalem revolved around water. Debate about the Warren shaft revolved around whether it was a preexisting natural rift or a "cut shaft. There is a reference to the Warren shaft in 2 Samuel. Archaeologists are in debate about whether people drop buckets to get water from the shaft. Another route that water could have reached the city was through the Siloan channel. According to professor Cargill, the water in the shaft would support around 25,000 people.
The "ark of the covenant" was a portable throne when David arrived in Jerusalem. David brought the arc to Jerusalem and built the David's palace for the arc of the covenant. However, he did not build the temple at the top of the temple mount.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Week 2: Thursday
Canaanite Jerusalem is the period of time before David ruled Jerusalem. The main resouces that sustained Jerusalem are water from the Gihon spring, argiculture from nearby lands, and trade through the watershed highway. Note that the two other major trade routes did not pass through Jerusalem.
The earliest settlement occurred around 2,000 B.C. and proof occurred in the form of execration texts. Although not a vodoo doll, it had the property that someone would write the name of an enemy and smash the text in order to send a curse. One execution text found by archaeologists mentioned Jerusalem by name and included several rulers of the city. The mention of Jerusalem suggests that the city was prominent enough to be considered a threat by enemies.
Several Amarna letters also mentioned the existance of Jerusalem in 2,000 B.C. During this period, Egypt was a superpower and tiny cities had to beg Egypt for money and other resources to defend themselves from enemies. Abdi-Kheba, the ruler of Jerusalem at the time, sent 6 letters requesting help for Jerusalem.
According to the professor, there are three different interpretions about how the Israelites came to Jerusalem. The three interpretions are conquest/non-conquest, immigration, and or that the Israelites were always there. Although the text in the Bible conflicts about how the Israelites came to Jerusalem, one possible reason is that the passages in the Bible are not written chronologically. Archeology suggests that the third interpretion is the most reasonable from the evidence uncovered that there is no break in occupation of Jerusalem.
The earliest settlement occurred around 2,000 B.C. and proof occurred in the form of execration texts. Although not a vodoo doll, it had the property that someone would write the name of an enemy and smash the text in order to send a curse. One execution text found by archaeologists mentioned Jerusalem by name and included several rulers of the city. The mention of Jerusalem suggests that the city was prominent enough to be considered a threat by enemies.
Several Amarna letters also mentioned the existance of Jerusalem in 2,000 B.C. During this period, Egypt was a superpower and tiny cities had to beg Egypt for money and other resources to defend themselves from enemies. Abdi-Kheba, the ruler of Jerusalem at the time, sent 6 letters requesting help for Jerusalem.
According to the professor, there are three different interpretions about how the Israelites came to Jerusalem. The three interpretions are conquest/non-conquest, immigration, and or that the Israelites were always there. Although the text in the Bible conflicts about how the Israelites came to Jerusalem, one possible reason is that the passages in the Bible are not written chronologically. Archeology suggests that the third interpretion is the most reasonable from the evidence uncovered that there is no break in occupation of Jerusalem.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Week 2: Tuesday
Ziggurat and pyramids are both man-made structures with common architectural styles. However, the main difference between ziggurats and pyramids is their primary use. Ziggurats were built as places to worship while pyramids were built as places to bury people. As a place of worship, the ziggurat was considered a place where axis mundi occurs. The plans for ziggurats were considered divine, and as a result, there was little controversy about the location and architecture of a ziggurat.
The Hebrew god had a specific name and out of respect and custom, his name is never spoken in public. Some ancient documents used 4 dots or the word LORD in all capital letters as an alternative. The reason for not writing his name was because all writen documents are considered permanent.
Axis Mundi represents the connection between earth and heaven, but also represents the connection between earth and the underworld. The Hinnon valley was considered one connection between earth and hell, and the word hell is derived from the Hinnon valley.
The Holy Sepulcher is one of the key highlights of the Christian corner of Jerusalem. Numerous denominations of Christians utilize the place for worship and the limited amount of space results in conflicts. To prevent conflict over use of the temple, the key of the Holy Sepulcher is given to a muslim.
The Hebrew god had a specific name and out of respect and custom, his name is never spoken in public. Some ancient documents used 4 dots or the word LORD in all capital letters as an alternative. The reason for not writing his name was because all writen documents are considered permanent.
Axis Mundi represents the connection between earth and heaven, but also represents the connection between earth and the underworld. The Hinnon valley was considered one connection between earth and hell, and the word hell is derived from the Hinnon valley.
The Holy Sepulcher is one of the key highlights of the Christian corner of Jerusalem. Numerous denominations of Christians utilize the place for worship and the limited amount of space results in conflicts. To prevent conflict over use of the temple, the key of the Holy Sepulcher is given to a muslim.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Lecture 1/6/11
Jerusalem's geography protects it from enemy attacks. The valleys and hills to the west, south, and east of the city makes it difficult for enemies to bring battering rams and other weapons of war to the city walls. Most successful attacks on Jerusalem were from the north, so consequently the north wall of the city is the strongest. However, one disadvantage of the city's geography is that trade routes avoided Jerusalem because of the same hills and valleys that protected the city from invaders.
Water was one of the factors that affected the growth of ancient Jerusalem. As a result, tunnels had to be built to bring water from the Gihoh spring and the Siloan pool to the main city. Hezekiah tunnel was one of the main tunnels, and this tunnel pumped water from the Siloan pool to the city. Once the city had an adequate water supply, the population increased.
Water was one of the factors that affected the growth of ancient Jerusalem. As a result, tunnels had to be built to bring water from the Gihoh spring and the Siloan pool to the main city. Hezekiah tunnel was one of the main tunnels, and this tunnel pumped water from the Siloan pool to the city. Once the city had an adequate water supply, the population increased.
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