976. Hammurabi is best remembered for a code of law, set down toward the end of his reign on clay tablets and on stelae, or stone pillars. Clear parallels as well as clear differences can be drawn between Hammurabi's code and the law Moses received from God on Mount Sinai. Sadly the tablets on which the Ten Commandments were written disappeared with the ark of the covenant, but Hammurabi's laws were uncovered by French archaeologists in the ancient city of Susa and remain on display in the Louvre in Paris.
977. Towers known as ziggurats, which literally means "houses that lift up their heads," were erected throughout the Babylonian Empire and were probably intended as stairways for men to ascend and meet the gods. A ziggurat resembles a pyramid, but its sides are steplike. In constructing the tower, the builders "had brick for stone, and slime had they for mortar" (Gen. 11:3 KJV). The bricks were made from mud and the "slime" was asphalt, found all over the Iranian oil fields even today.
978. Pottery, made from clay and baked in a kiln, is one of the most durable materials ever made. Glass flakes away, metals corrode and rust, wood and fabrics are destroyed by dampness and insects. Pottery alone survives. Although a pottery jar easily be shattered, the broken pieces or shards may last for centuries and give clues to when the pottery was made, who made it, and its relationship to pottery made by neighboring people.
979. Archaeologists have studied the shards discovered in the Negeb that date from about the time Abraham crossed it. All the pottery made throughout this vast area was almost exactly the same, revealing that those were settled times and that the people of the Negeb traded peacefully with one another.
980. The Shema is the central confession of the Jewish faith: "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one." It is originally found in Deuteronomy 6:4, and Jesus quoted it, saying that the verse that follows ("Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength") is the greatest commandment.
Wednesday, January 13, 2016
Tuesday, January 12, 2016
Bible Trivia lll
971. Samaritans did not have a great reputation among Jews. They were not good neighbors. The Jews and Samaritans had a long and unhappy history. The Samaritans had first come into the land when Assyrians conquered Israel. An offshoot sect, they followed the Books of Moses but did not treat the rest of the Hebrew Scriptures as sacred. As a result bad blood grew between the groups.
972. As archaeologists excavated the mound of the ancient city of Jericho (about a mile or so northwest of the modern city), they found not one ancient city but instead successive cities, each built atop the ruins of the previous ones. Jericho is the oldest known city in the world. Above the first signs of human habitation, five cities were built in antiquity-and the fourth of these appears to be the one that was conquered by Joshua.
973. Double walls nearly thirty feet high, with each wall about six feet thick, were discovered by archaeologists at the Jericho site. It is clear that this city had a violent end. Sections of the wall crumbled, and there is evidence of fire so intense that it burned bricks and cracked stones.
974. Shibboleth. Jephthah's men fought and defeated the tribesmen of Ephraim (another Israelite tribe who did not help Jephthah in his battle with the Ammonites). If an Ephraimite tried to cross the Jordan, Jephthah's men would ask him to say "Shibboleth," a word that means either "ear of corn" or "flood torrent." But due to regional dialects, these men couldn't pronounce the "sh" sound, and said "sibboleth" instead. Forty-two thousand men with this speech deficiency died at the Jordan. A contemporary story is told from World War II in which Dutch resistance fighters were able to cull out Nazi infiltrators who couldn't pronounce a particular Dutch name. "Shibboleth" has since come to mean a word or catchphrase that is distinctive to one group.
975. Hammurabi (meaning "westerner") was am Ammorite who conquered several Sumerian cities and developed a small empire, making him the first king to elevate Babylon from a small town to a major power. Some scholars believe that Hammurabi-generally dated as king of Babylon from 1792-1750 B.C.-might be the mysterious King Amraphel, king of Shinar, mentioned in Genesis 14.
972. As archaeologists excavated the mound of the ancient city of Jericho (about a mile or so northwest of the modern city), they found not one ancient city but instead successive cities, each built atop the ruins of the previous ones. Jericho is the oldest known city in the world. Above the first signs of human habitation, five cities were built in antiquity-and the fourth of these appears to be the one that was conquered by Joshua.
973. Double walls nearly thirty feet high, with each wall about six feet thick, were discovered by archaeologists at the Jericho site. It is clear that this city had a violent end. Sections of the wall crumbled, and there is evidence of fire so intense that it burned bricks and cracked stones.
974. Shibboleth. Jephthah's men fought and defeated the tribesmen of Ephraim (another Israelite tribe who did not help Jephthah in his battle with the Ammonites). If an Ephraimite tried to cross the Jordan, Jephthah's men would ask him to say "Shibboleth," a word that means either "ear of corn" or "flood torrent." But due to regional dialects, these men couldn't pronounce the "sh" sound, and said "sibboleth" instead. Forty-two thousand men with this speech deficiency died at the Jordan. A contemporary story is told from World War II in which Dutch resistance fighters were able to cull out Nazi infiltrators who couldn't pronounce a particular Dutch name. "Shibboleth" has since come to mean a word or catchphrase that is distinctive to one group.
975. Hammurabi (meaning "westerner") was am Ammorite who conquered several Sumerian cities and developed a small empire, making him the first king to elevate Babylon from a small town to a major power. Some scholars believe that Hammurabi-generally dated as king of Babylon from 1792-1750 B.C.-might be the mysterious King Amraphel, king of Shinar, mentioned in Genesis 14.
Monday, January 11, 2016
Bible Trivia ll
964. Jericho is the world's oldest city. It was founded about 3500 B.C.
965. Polytheism, the belief in more than one god, distinguishers our age from that of the Bible more than any other cultural issue.
966. The name Jesus is the Greek version of the name Joshua.
967. David, the shepherd, warrior, and king of Israel, broke half of the Ten Commandments, from what we are told in the Bible. More than likely he broke all ten!
968. Frankincense and myrrh are both fragrant resins imported from India, Arabia, or Africa. They were therefore costly and precious in the Holy Land.
969. The star. About the time of the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, a phenomenon occurred in the night sky. There has been considerable dispute about what this bright star of Bethlehem may have been. Whatever the astronomical phenomenon was exactly, it did not go unobserved in the ancient home of astronomy, Mesopotamia. The wise men or magi who saw the star and believed that it heralded the birth of Jesus were probably astronomers.
970. Magus is a Persian word that referred to the priests of Persia, and from magus we get our English word magic. In the ancient world the priests who could predict eclipses and the motions of the planets must have seemed to possess magical powers.
965. Polytheism, the belief in more than one god, distinguishers our age from that of the Bible more than any other cultural issue.
966. The name Jesus is the Greek version of the name Joshua.
967. David, the shepherd, warrior, and king of Israel, broke half of the Ten Commandments, from what we are told in the Bible. More than likely he broke all ten!
968. Frankincense and myrrh are both fragrant resins imported from India, Arabia, or Africa. They were therefore costly and precious in the Holy Land.
969. The star. About the time of the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, a phenomenon occurred in the night sky. There has been considerable dispute about what this bright star of Bethlehem may have been. Whatever the astronomical phenomenon was exactly, it did not go unobserved in the ancient home of astronomy, Mesopotamia. The wise men or magi who saw the star and believed that it heralded the birth of Jesus were probably astronomers.
970. Magus is a Persian word that referred to the priests of Persia, and from magus we get our English word magic. In the ancient world the priests who could predict eclipses and the motions of the planets must have seemed to possess magical powers.
Saturday, January 9, 2016
Bible Trivia l
956. Through Trinity is a common Christian term, the Bible never mentions the Trinity as such. It was a doctrine developed much later when the church was more established.
957. Dreams were often used as a means for God to speak to His prophets and other favored children. Items within the dreams symbolized real events or people or even future happenings. Joseph's dream about wheat sheaves foretold the time when he would be powerful in Egypt and lead that people through a drought and famine.
958. The doctrine known as "Immaculate Conception," the belief that Mary herself was conceived without sin, has no Biblical justification. This belief began early in Christian history and was officially accepted as dogma essential to Roman Catholic beliefs by Pope Pius IX in 1854.
959. Knowing the basics. In a 1997 survey, the London Sunday Times found that only 34 percent of 220 Anglican priests could recite all of the Ten Commandments without help.
960. Two separate creation stories are told in Genesis (Gen. 1:1-2:3. and Gen. 2:4-25), but there is no mention of an apple in the Garden of Eden story.
961. The original Hebrew word for "ark" meant "box" or "chest" in English.
962. Although the King James Version is often associated with Shakespearean English, neither Moses nor Jesus is ever quoted as saying "thee" or "thou."
963. Place names in the Bible often from the person or persons who settled the area. They would give it a special name to commemorate the occasion.
957. Dreams were often used as a means for God to speak to His prophets and other favored children. Items within the dreams symbolized real events or people or even future happenings. Joseph's dream about wheat sheaves foretold the time when he would be powerful in Egypt and lead that people through a drought and famine.
958. The doctrine known as "Immaculate Conception," the belief that Mary herself was conceived without sin, has no Biblical justification. This belief began early in Christian history and was officially accepted as dogma essential to Roman Catholic beliefs by Pope Pius IX in 1854.
959. Knowing the basics. In a 1997 survey, the London Sunday Times found that only 34 percent of 220 Anglican priests could recite all of the Ten Commandments without help.
960. Two separate creation stories are told in Genesis (Gen. 1:1-2:3. and Gen. 2:4-25), but there is no mention of an apple in the Garden of Eden story.
961. The original Hebrew word for "ark" meant "box" or "chest" in English.
962. Although the King James Version is often associated with Shakespearean English, neither Moses nor Jesus is ever quoted as saying "thee" or "thou."
963. Place names in the Bible often from the person or persons who settled the area. They would give it a special name to commemorate the occasion.
Thursday, January 7, 2016
Symbols
944. The cross is perhaps the most recognized symbol of the Christian. Jesus was crucified on a cross between two criminals. His hands and feet were nailed into the cross, signs to forever remain that demonstrate the atoning work He performed on the cross for believers.
949. The Hand of God is perhaps the most ancient symbol of God the Father. Like most symbols, it is referenced from Scripture. The meaning of the symbol relates to the creative power of God. Through His handiwork came forth the genius of creation.
950. A crown is a representation of the office Christ holds as King. The Scriptures teach that He is the "King of kings." The Bible also refers to Jesus as the "Crown of Life," which all who believe may take for themselves.
951. The lantern is a symbol of betrayal that comes directly from Scripture. When Judas came with the soldiers to arrest Jesus, the group carried torches and lanterns to find Jesus. Alternatively the lantern is a symbol of light.
952. Jesus is the Light of the world, the source that brings life to a dead world. Furthermore Christ's two distinct natures, divine and human, are an important tenet of Christ being both God and Man. The traditional symbol to display this doctrine is to light two candles during church services, with one on either side of a cross.
953. The Good Shepherd is a Biblical reference to Jesus' description of Himself in the Gospel of John. As a Redeemer of His people, the sheep, Jesus watches over them, protects them, and provides for their way into the shelter.
954. The Holy Spirit is most often represented by a dove and recalls the story of Jesus' Baptism from the Scriptures. After Jesus was Baptized by John the Baptist, a dove descended and God spoke from Heaven. This is one of very few symbols for the Third Person of the Trinity.
955. The seven doves, seven lamps, and seven-pointed star all represent the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit stated in the Book of Revelation. The seven gifts are strength, honor, glory, blessing, power, riches, and wisdom.
949. The Hand of God is perhaps the most ancient symbol of God the Father. Like most symbols, it is referenced from Scripture. The meaning of the symbol relates to the creative power of God. Through His handiwork came forth the genius of creation.
950. A crown is a representation of the office Christ holds as King. The Scriptures teach that He is the "King of kings." The Bible also refers to Jesus as the "Crown of Life," which all who believe may take for themselves.
951. The lantern is a symbol of betrayal that comes directly from Scripture. When Judas came with the soldiers to arrest Jesus, the group carried torches and lanterns to find Jesus. Alternatively the lantern is a symbol of light.
952. Jesus is the Light of the world, the source that brings life to a dead world. Furthermore Christ's two distinct natures, divine and human, are an important tenet of Christ being both God and Man. The traditional symbol to display this doctrine is to light two candles during church services, with one on either side of a cross.
953. The Good Shepherd is a Biblical reference to Jesus' description of Himself in the Gospel of John. As a Redeemer of His people, the sheep, Jesus watches over them, protects them, and provides for their way into the shelter.
954. The Holy Spirit is most often represented by a dove and recalls the story of Jesus' Baptism from the Scriptures. After Jesus was Baptized by John the Baptist, a dove descended and God spoke from Heaven. This is one of very few symbols for the Third Person of the Trinity.
955. The seven doves, seven lamps, and seven-pointed star all represent the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit stated in the Book of Revelation. The seven gifts are strength, honor, glory, blessing, power, riches, and wisdom.
Music in the Bible lll
944. A psaltery is another kind of harp, as is a viol. These were even smaller wooden-framed harps, and they would have been plucked with the fingers to make music. They may have been of Phoenician origin. The Bible mentions these in 1 Samuel 10:5 and Isaiah 5:12.
945. The sackbut, despite the funny name, is a type of harp with a triangular shape. It has been mistranslated (Dan. 3:5) in various versions, but is a harp.
946. Cymbals are a percussion instrument. They were used both in celebration and at ceremonies such as the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem (Neh. 12:27). There were two kinds of cymbals. The first had flat metal plates that were struck together to make a clashing, crashing noise. The other kind had one cymbal that was held stationary while the other one was banged against it.
947. Timbrels, or tambourines, are instruments still in use today. The bells and other "jingly" sounds come from light pieces of metal that shake and rattle together when the wood they are attached to is shaken or beat. The timbrel was used for happy occasions and to make music for singing and dancing.
945. The sackbut, despite the funny name, is a type of harp with a triangular shape. It has been mistranslated (Dan. 3:5) in various versions, but is a harp.
946. Cymbals are a percussion instrument. They were used both in celebration and at ceremonies such as the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem (Neh. 12:27). There were two kinds of cymbals. The first had flat metal plates that were struck together to make a clashing, crashing noise. The other kind had one cymbal that was held stationary while the other one was banged against it.
947. Timbrels, or tambourines, are instruments still in use today. The bells and other "jingly" sounds come from light pieces of metal that shake and rattle together when the wood they are attached to is shaken or beat. The timbrel was used for happy occasions and to make music for singing and dancing.
Wednesday, January 6, 2016
Music in the Bible ll
939. The organ is another wind instrument from Bible times, though it may have been a generic term for all wind instruments (Gen. 4:21 KJV).
940. Trumpets referred to a variety of different wind instruments-everything from a ram's horn to Moses' trumpet may correctly be classified within this instrument family. Another name used was "cornet."
941. The flute is only mentioned once in the King James Version of the Bible, in Daniel 3:5, but is mentioned more in other, newer translations, such as NIV (three times). It may very well have referred to a reed flute or some other instrument that closely resembles a modern flute.
942. The harp is perhaps the most-mentioned instrument in the Bible. It is believed that the instrument actually refers to the lyre, a similar stringed instrument of smaller proportions. The lyre was made of wood and had between eight and ten strings to pluck. The fingers or some sort of pick may have been used. The instrument may be of Syrian origin.
943. Harps and Heaven? Many people associate Heaven with harps. Many people don't realize that this connection actually comes from the Bible. The apostle John describes this in his vision, seeing the Heavenly throne in the Book of Revelation.
940. Trumpets referred to a variety of different wind instruments-everything from a ram's horn to Moses' trumpet may correctly be classified within this instrument family. Another name used was "cornet."
941. The flute is only mentioned once in the King James Version of the Bible, in Daniel 3:5, but is mentioned more in other, newer translations, such as NIV (three times). It may very well have referred to a reed flute or some other instrument that closely resembles a modern flute.
942. The harp is perhaps the most-mentioned instrument in the Bible. It is believed that the instrument actually refers to the lyre, a similar stringed instrument of smaller proportions. The lyre was made of wood and had between eight and ten strings to pluck. The fingers or some sort of pick may have been used. The instrument may be of Syrian origin.
943. Harps and Heaven? Many people associate Heaven with harps. Many people don't realize that this connection actually comes from the Bible. The apostle John describes this in his vision, seeing the Heavenly throne in the Book of Revelation.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)