Archive for August, 2011


Valley of Adummim, Judea, ISRAEL

Filed under: JUDEA — Leave a comment
August 31, 2011

For More Photos Visit: Dead Sea

The valley of Adummim or the ascent from Jericho to Jerusalem, past Maale-Adummim and east through wadi Kelt (Qelt/Qilt)  (Luke 10:33) is considered the backdrop to the parable of the good Samaritan, Luke 10:35-37. The ancient roman road follows almost the same path as the modern road, and a little to the south. The location of Adummim, is near Maale Adummim, and the location is marked by the construction of a fortress in the time of Eusebius called Maledommei (2) the castle of Adummim by Burchard (3)  and a  crusader castle on the north side of the road by the knights templar, called Maldouin or Chastel Rouge, with all these names indicating the heritage of the place. A khan called “the khan of the Samaritan” (Le Khan de Samaritan) is not far from this castle, and is considered as the basis for the parable mentioned. Pompey passed through Adummim en route to Jerusalem (1) A further location half-way up wadi Qelt is a section of the wadi called wadi Tal’et ed-Dam, again carrying the toponym

The parable of the actions of the Samaritan demonstrates that love of God is an active appreciation. It involves the giving of both time and money 10:35 physical and emotional exertion, with the binding of wounds with the pouring of personal oil and wine. Binding up wounds an indication of not only physical injury but spiritual position, and pointed at those in the nation that thought they had no need of healing of wounds.

The valley itself  marks the boundary between the tribal inheritance of Benjamin and Judah, Josh 15:7; 18:17.  Jerome and others make the association with red soil or rocks, but the area is comprised of white limestone. The LXX considers the location as the ascent of the red/blood haired men. The same word adummim  is used of the blood stained garments of the conqueror from Bozrah Isa 63:2 cf 2 Kings 3:22. This clearly is an indication of the blood stained garments of the messiah, particularly in his agents returning from the wilderness of the peoples with his redeemed, but once smitten brethren. Israel in their diaspora have been troubled, and afflicted, and it will take the same active spirit of the Samaritan to convince them of the value of the sacrifice of their messiah once offered a few miles from this location outside Jerusalem. They will echo the words of Hosea: “Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up”  Hos 6:1; Deut 32:39; Jer 30:17.

http://maps.google.com.au/maps?q=%C5%A2al%E2%80%98at+ad+Dam&hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=31.817809,35.361214&spn=0.011396,0.034246&sll=-25.335448,135.745076&sspn=38.161973,47.373047&geocode=Fdt75QEdC6cbAg&t=h&z=16&vpsrc=6

  1. Smiths bible dictionary pg 666
  2. Eusebius onam 24:10
  3. Burchardus, de mounte Sion, AD 1280, pg 64
Comment

Damascus Gate, Jerusalem, ISRAEL

Filed under: JERUSALEM — 1 Comment
August 30, 2011

For More Photos Visit:  Walls of Jerusalem

For those interested in a follow-up from our previous post: http://biblicalgeographic.com/2011/08/11/hadrians-pillar-damascusnablusshechem-gate-jerusalem-israel/

The Damascus gate has recently undergone some renovations, and a description of the renovations can be read here: http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/jerusalem-old-city-renovation-shows-gateway-to-the-past-1.378976  and comments on the gate by Leen Ritmeyer here: http://www.ritmeyer.com/2011/08/17/restoration-of-the-crown-of-the-damascus-gate/

This gate was also known as the Nablus / Shechem gate, and was the gate through which Saul would have in his intense hatred of things “christian” pursued the followers of  Jesus, even to the extent of receiving commissions from the authorities to bring the sentence of law on Jews who had fled to the city of Damascus. Of course the existing gate is Ottoman in origins, as the previous gate through which biblical characters would have passed was completely destroyed in AD70 and if any remnants were left they were destroyed for the construction of the plaza in the time of Hadrian AD130f

Comment

Edrei, Da’ara Southern Syria, SYRIA

Filed under: SYRIA — Leave a comment
August 30, 2011

Glubb had called it the Thermopylae of Syria, and like the Cilician gates presented a geographical conduit for travel further south along the king’s highway. The Edrei gap was the narrow winding passage leading from the plains spilling from the Golan into the country overlooked by Ramoth Gilead. Further to the northeast volcanic lava flows prevent the passage of horses, and to the west the steep defiles of the emerging Golan prevent the rapid passage of the hordes of war.

The falling sun of the afternoon bathed our first visit of the valley with pastel shades, and the quiet lapping of the creek along the floor of the wadi hardly portrayed the vicious nature of the engagements that would soak these few yards with sanguine punctuation. Izzer looked at us puzzled, as if we were mad. Why aren’t you looking at the fine ruins of Bozrah, the best Roman amphitheater in the world only a few miles to the east? There is nothing here! But like Abraham, and his sons after him, a view of the world emerged in their minds that others could not visualize. This was the place of real engagements where men could see the demise of empires before their faces, amid the cries and stench of battle. For Abraham, living in tents and engaged in the care of flocks, attachment was only to a land towards which the wisdom of an unseen deity was guiding him. For Jacob Edrei was a place where engagement was possible with Laban who challenged his departure towards the land of inheritance with greater forces. It was here that Jacob stood for the values of a land and inheritance not visibly marked by stones or through teraphim carefully tucked deep within the camel’s stuff.

Edrei or modern Da’ara  made famous recently in the uprising of the Syrian revolts, was already a famous city in biblical history, for it was here that Og king of Bashan had made his last futile stand against the children of Israel. Num 21:33; Deut 1:4; 3:1,10; Josh 12:4; 13:12,31; 19:37 What appears more amazing is the underground construction of a complete city, giving a level of security for the defenders not commonly seen elsewhere. (1)  The ruins are described as being fourteen miles (23km) in circumference by Burckhardt.(2)  The remarkable fact of the defeat of Edrei is that it appears there was no loss of life of Israel’s soldiers. Note the confusion that existed when Israel were defeated at Ai and there was a small loss of troops. This would not have been the case if there was a historical precedent prior to the events of  Joshua 7.

The defeat of Og has religious overtones. His residence was at Ashtaroth, a derivative of  Astarte, a pagan deity, and it was at Ashteroth Karnaim (The two horned (or moon shaped) Ashtaroth that Chedorlaomer had previously demonstrated his religious authority in a chapter marking the fight between their god El, and the most high El (El Elyon) Gen 14:5. The same religious overtones are likely seen in Jericho the city of the moon, where Babylonian garments were found in the hand of Aachan, and recent demonstration of astrological alignment of the tower of Jericho with other geographical landmarks.  These astrologers were at the foundation of Babylonian religion, and were to arrive in Israel at the cause of significant astrological events, such as the turning back of the sundail of Ahaz in Isa 39 and the birth of Christ in Matt 2. But their folly was they could not see the one who spread the heavens, and counted the nations as nothing, saying who can be like El? Isa 40:12,18. Thus the battle of Og was a foretaste of conquest of Armageddon, where the military power of men is driven by a religious leader. This battle then became a national icon of the deliverance from tremendous foes. Note the language of Ps 135:11 “EVEN” Og king of Bashan … and all the kingdoms of Caanan . So Israel will once again be delivered from a time of trouble at Jerusalem and throughout their land, when the latter-day Assyrian treads in their land. The battle then taken to Assyria and to the entrances of Nimrod Micah 5:5,6.

http://maps.google.com.au/maps?hl=en&ll=32.618557,36.088715&spn=0.044966,0.136986&t=h&z=14&vpsrc=6

  1. The land of Gilead, with excursions in Lebanon pgs 99,214  Laurence Oliphant
  2. Burckhardt, geography pg 385
Comment

Arwad, Western Syria, SYRIA

Filed under: SYRIA — Leave a comment
August 29, 2011

Imagine a 2 metre swell. Then imagine the foam falling off the tops of the waves. We looked at each other. The locals were catching the small wooden vessels out to the island, and if it was working for them, well, let’s give it a go. I still to this day don’t know how the boat left the harbour at Tartus, the southern port for Syria on the Mediterranean. The tortured engine squealed as we plunged into the crashing swells at the entrance of the harbour, and our vision then alternated between dark green water and then patches of grey sky as we broached the crests.

Arvad is a rocky island around 800 x 500 metres, around 1.5km in a direct line from the coast,  and today is cluttered with tall houses with winding narrow alley-ways. The crusader walls are still present on the northern and western margins of the island. A mosque is also seen on the western side.  The trade of boatbuilding continues its legends today, with a cacophony of bright colours interspersed with wandering ropes and tackle. It is around a 10-15  minute run from the mainland, and the once important port is now dwarfed by the mammoth Russian renovated port at Tartus, south of the terminal from where the ferry leaves. This Russian port is of some interest to the bible student, as the northern host will invade the middle east with many ships Dan 11: 40.

The island of Arwad was noted as the centre for the Canaanite family the Arvadites. Notice the inclusion between the Sinites (Around Mount Hermon) and the Hamathites (mod Hama or biblical Hamath) clues to the northern origins of this family, Gen 10:18 ; 1Chron 1:16, It’s early history saw control under several Pharaohs, including Thutmos III and Rameses II, who saw the importance of controlling trade from this port, and the Amarna letters indicate association with the Amorites.  The city was the administrative centre for a number of mainland cities including Amrit (greek Marathos) where one of the most complete Canaanite temples can be seen.  The Canaanite gods of the mariner would have been called on frequently at this place. It’s early history is attested in tablets at Ebla and Alalkah (2) The city was divided into four quarters, and two of these are considered to known as “the sea gate” and “salvation on sea”!

The island is famous for it’s support of Tiglath Pileser I, with his soldiers sailing in the boats of Arvad.  ca1020 BC Ashurbanipal II ca 876 attempted to make this island a tributary, but having rebelled it joined the alliance with King Ahab of Israel and Hazael king of Syria against Shamaneser II at the battle of Qarqar ca854BC, a location only around 25km from here as the crow flies. It’s revolt was held against it, and both Tiglath Pileser III and Sennacherib held the island under tribute, receiving tribute from Matanbaal II and Abdilele’ti respectively. Matanbaal III gave provisions for the building of the Ninevite capital under Esarhaddon 680-669BC and later under Ashurbanipal, the king of Arvad was to give daughters into his harem. (1)

An unamed king of Arvad with his builders were involved in the building of parts of Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar (2) It was a haven for a maritime power and contributed soldiers to the defence of Tyre Ezekiel 27:8,11.

Under Persian rule, the island was allowed to co-operate in various degrees with the centres of Tyre and Sidon. Straton the son of the last known king of Arvad, Gerashtart who was then serving in the Persian fleet was the representative of the king to surrender to Alexander 332 BC in his rapid march southward. The island is not listed between Hamath, Gebal and Tyre in Zech 9:1,2 because it was already considered a part of Grecian territory.

In crusade times the island was a strongpoint controlling the coast and providing a secure harbour for both troop and victual supplies. Following the surrender of Krak des Chevaliers, this was the to be last point on which crusader control was held before returning to Rhodes.

The island and it’s co-operation with Tyre is representative of men, nations and organisations that support the apostate church. At the destruction of Rome at the hand of Christ,  those who carry out trade with the church (men who were sailors, shipmasters, and company in ships) will stand in amazement at the degree of destruction, with the method of its destruction as a millstone cast into the very arena in which it operated. Rev 18:17 The language is based on the desolation of Tyre where pilots of the sea and sailors with oars stand of the land to say of Tyre: “who is like Tyre, like her that is silent in the midst of the sea” Ezek 27:28,29,32.

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=34.856399,35.858549&spn=0.005494,0.017123&sll=34.860088,35.871563&sspn=0.022326,0.040169&vpsrc=0&t=h&z=17

  1. Rawlinson, Phoenicia pg 456-57

  2. Edward Lipiński, Itineraria Phoenicia pg 279-287

Comment

Jeshimon / Bethjeshimon Judea, ISRAEL

Filed under: JUDEA — Leave a comment
August 28, 2011

Beth-Jeshimoth: The photographs attached demonstrate the eastern margins of Jeshimon as it reaches toward the Dead sea, with the foothills of where Balaam and the princes stood to view it in the background.

Jeshimon has the idea of wasted, or destroyed and is a reference to wild and dry wastelands on the margins of the Dead Sea, and in particular reference to the area around 55km by 25km on the western side.  Jeshimon is described as being both the place where the princes of Israel would view Num 21:20 and then Balaam Num 23:28. In fact there is three consecutive locations that both the princes of Israel and then Balaam both would stand.  Jeshimon was the end of a man without God. To take another’s water and not the water of deity would end up in this place. The princes would dig wells, be involved in Nahaliel (the rivers of El) and vow not to take from others wells in Num 21, and it would appear that spectacular rainfall may have been instrumental in the battle of Arnon in the same chapter. The proper noun is translated by several bible translations as follows: Wasteland NIV, NASB  Desert ESV looks over the surface of the waste Darby which is looking on the front of the wilderness YLit.

The term “Yeshimon” is used as a generic term for wilderness, with the intent of lack of growth or vegetation, Ps 78:40; Isa 43:19 etal. A term used of the wilderness experienced after leaving Sinai Deut 32:10. It is used in contrast to the term Midbar, which has the idea of driving wind, which was the presence of the divine spirit operating to develop men and women in their passage through life. The idea of Midbar can contain purpose of execution, whereas Jeshimon does not.

The only other place Jeshimon is used in scripture is the during the pursuit of Saul, David was to hide in the hill of Hacilah near Jeshimon, 1Sam 23:19,24; 26:1,3 and in the arabah south of Jeshimon, placing him in the valley of salt, famous later in one of his conquests against the Edomites, Ps 60. It is apparent then that the wilderness of Ziph, being the borderlands of the Judean foot-hills looked down on Jeshimon.  Khirbet Khoresa (1) has been suggested for Horesh 1Sam 23:19.

Beth-Jeshimoth at the left of the this photograph

Another specific location that includes the same hebrew term is Beth-Jeshimoth, (Num 33:49; Josh 12:3; 13:20; Ezek 25:9) located at the entry of the Jordan river into the Dead sea. This location confirms the spiritual intent that the natural course of man is toward destruction, the point at which the natural flow from vigorous bubbling waters leads to the distinct sterility of salt in the Dead sea. It was the southern limit of the encampment of Israel, extending for around 9km from Kafrain or Abel-shittim. The two limits marking the prospects for the encampment, the mourning of the piercing representing the empathy for, and acceptance of the crucifixion of Christ, Zech 12, and the destruction for those refusing it. It is most interesting that the encampment of the tribes, in particular Simeon, were most devastated in the events of Baal-peor were on this southern side, and closer to Bethjeshimoth.

  1. Erdmann’s dictionary of the Bible pg 536

http://maps.google.com.au/maps?q=dead+sea&hl=en&ll=31.763786,35.520601&spn=0.045245,0.136986&sll=-25.335448,135.745076&sspn=48.09481,106.962891&vpsrc=6&t=h&z=14

Comment

Scythians, Scythes, CIS

Filed under: CIS Russia — Leave a comment
August 26, 2011

To understand the Scythian is to go outside normal domestic living. For men and women living in cities, the security of walls, regular delivered milk and other expectations of suburban life the Scythian is an enigma. Roaming the southern steppes in what would today be Chechyna and Khazakstan was the traditional home of the Scythian. The lands inhabited were lands to the north of the Parthians, and to those living in the middle east; the ends of the world. Herodotus indicates that the lands of the Scythian were once European, with their boundaries at the Pontus (Black sea) and the Don. (1) indicating their original name was scoloti, but called Scythians by the Greeks (1b) Their name contains the word scythe, a word depicting the curved weapons of the mounted cavalry for which they were most famous. The origins of the Cossacks most likely can be found in this people. The Greeks understood the term to be loosely used of the people of the northern steppes, a location later to be inhabited by the Tartary and the Hun, and so when used in scripture, the term was a loose term describing the barbaric and uncivilised, and the juxtaposition to the civilised and educated and deeply ceremonial/religious, Col 3:11.

The Scythians were marked in history with military engagements outside their own territory in two main events:

  1. An invasion of Persia in the time of Cyaxares (635-595BC), which spilt over into a general rout into the middle east as far as the borders of Egypt, and their control of segments of this land was to continue for 28 years.
  2. An invasion of Scythia by Darius the son of Hystaspes, which was unsuccessful

 

The name of Bethshan is also given Scythopolis: A number of ideas about this origin are given:

  1. The town was taken in the time of Josiah by the Scythians
  2. It was during the northern routing invasion ca600BC that the town of Bethshean was taken by the Scythians, only a few decades before the taking of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar. It was renamed as Scythopolis, a name known by Eusebius, Pliny and Strabo (3) recorded in Byzantine history(4) and a name used in the LXX  in Judges 1:27. A tel close to the west of Bethshan called tel shuk may contain a toponym of this ancient nation. Roland, Gesenius et al dispute this, and claim it was related to a abbregated form of the word Succoth. The Greek legend of Dyonisus burying Nysa was also associated with Bethshan, so it was also known by Pliny as Nysaean Scythopolis or the Nysea of Coele-Syria.
  3. Scythian members of a Ptolemaic army were given license to reside at Bethshean and allowed to remain there. (5)

Following this brief  hiatus on the world scene, the people were to become extinct as a separate people by the time of Pliny (2) and by the time of Ptolemy it was understood to extend from Hungary to the Himalaya.

http://maps.google.com.au/maps?hl=en&ll=32.503311,35.502985&spn=0.005646,0.017123&sll=32.795858,35.530975&sspn=0.037522,0.06403&vpsrc=0&t=h&z=17

  1. Herod iv.20, (b) iv.6
  2. Pliny hist. nat. iv.25
  3. Onam; Pliny hist nat v.18; Strabo geog xvi
  4. Syncellus i.405, The Jewish people in the first century  Hist, Geog, Polit pg 1066

  5. The Hellenistic settlements in Syria, the Red Sea Basin, and North Africa, Getzel M. Cohen pg 295

Tags: , , , ,
Comment

Qa’alat Najm (Nayim), Euphrates, Northern Syria, SYRIA

Filed under: SYRIA — Leave a comment
August 25, 2011

There are only a number of ancient fording places on the Euphrates.

The crossings that may have been used by Abraham exist:

  1. north of Charchemish at modern Birecik (Turkey) or the greek Zeugma 
  2. at Assuyrie (ancient Pethor in Syria)
  3. at Qa’alat Najm
  4. at the ancient greek Thapsacus or biblical Tiphshah;  the limits of the lands of Solomon and where an ancient ferry service operated. It was close to Tiphshah that Crassus trashed the legendary booty of Hierapolis temple now at modern Mambej (2)

Whilst it has been said that to be a hebrew is to “cross over” the root word contains the active idea of crossing, or journeying. Thus the patriarchs were styled “sojourners” and “pilgrims” Gen 12:10; 20:1; 21:34; 23:4; 47:9; Heb 11:9,13.  The word is first used of Abraham in Gen 14: 13 in a chapter describing the forces of Chedorlaomer who also had twice crossed the Euphrates to invade the lands of Jordan and Israel, Gen 14:3. Abraham was to in this chapter decline the offer of anything substantive or valuable in present possession, claiming his occupation and settlement to be in a greater and more lasting enterprise. This was a declaration of his sojourning, as he was looking for a city whose maker and builder was Elohim.  Abraham was instructed to “walk through the land, in the length of it and the breadth of it, for I will give to thee” Gen 13:17 an instruction later repeated by Joshua to those espying their inheritance Josh 18:8 an instruction not repeated to Caleb, who obtained Hebron as the place where his feet had trodden Josh 14:9. The manner of treading is however described in this place: “because [Caleb] has wholly followed Elohim”. To walk then in the footsteps of the patriarchs is to follow after Elohim, and the visiting of locations within the inheritance were didactic pointers on the road to complete fellowship with Him.  Abraham was then to become a spiritual father to all those that followed him, walking in the steps of “that faith” Rom 4:12 being “sojourners with me (Elohim)” Lev 25:33.

Qa’alat Najm is a fortress built on the banks of the Euphrates by Nur’u'din in the 12th century, and reconstructed under Sala’din’s son Al Zaher Ghazi in the 13th century, but it was founded on the foundation of roman legacy using this bridgehead as the important crossing point against the Parthians / Mesopotamia. To the Romans the place was known as Caeciliana. Near the castle are two iron age sites: Tel Jurn Kabir and Qaddahiye indicating the antiquity of this strongpoint.

The castle holds a dramatic visual panorama of the reaches of the Euphrates. It’s stonework was considered as fine as the ancient Greeks (1) Within the castle is a mosque with its characteristic niche pointed at Mecca and adorned with kufic script, and at its foot a graveyard with multiple headstones again pointed to the east. The picture above is the schoolyard where we visited to address the local children on one of our expeditions.

Qa’alat although an important crossing point of the Euphrates, it seems unlikely to be the location of Abraham’s passing, it however teaches the great lessons of sojourning with the Father, calling on Him, and passing our time in fear, 1 Peter 1:17.

http://maps.google.com.au/maps?hl=en&ll=36.554844,38.261744&spn=0.005378,0.017123&sll=38.233178,-95.06944&sspn=8.350317,47.910551&vpsrc=0&t=h&z=17

  1. A Journey to China, Arnold Joseph Toynbee

  2. An introduction to the study of ancient geography pg 243, Peter Edmund Laurent

Tags: , , , , , , , ,
Comment

Beth Nimrah, Jordan Valley, JORDAN

Filed under: JORDAN — Leave a comment
August 24, 2011

El Karama is settled in the sweltering valley of Jordan, this town became infamous as the home-town for Yassar Arafat a terrorising champion of the Palestinians. The house of his family is still visible standing to the southeast of the village itself on the foothills of the valley. Palestinians are not Philistines. They originate not from the coastal strip in Israel, but were at the best a group of Arabic peoples who settled in the same area. The mosque illustrated above was used for target practice by the Israelis in the 1967 war, with only one of the four minarets left standing

Just to the south of this village is the rocky outcrops of the northern margins of the kirkar, the circle of the Jordan, and the biblical location of Beth Nimrah, the house of the leopards/panthers, or house of still waters (1)  Num 32:36; Josh 13:27.  The village given to the tribe of Gad, whose inheritance extended northward to the base of the sea of Chinnereth (Heb. harp, after the shape of the sea of Galilee) Josh 13:27.  The name of Bethnimrah is preserved in tel-Nimrah and the nahr (river) Nimrin the lower end of the wadi (valley) Shoiab running from es-Salt, with some suggestion of the location at the adjacent tel Bleibil. The remarkable feature of this location is the only spring water in a water-table that is not penetrated until significantly further north, where most of the country is laced by relics of ancient roman aqueducts moving ground water.

  1. Cyclopaedia of biblical, theological, and ecclesiastical literature, John McClintock, James Strong vol 1 pg 785
  2. Robinson, researches in Palestine and adjacent regions vol 2 pg 318

  3. The land of the Bible: a historical geography Y Aharoni pg 126

 http://maps.google.com.au/maps?q=31.906416,35.63673&hl=en&ll=31.918947,35.613556&spn=0.09092,0.273972&sll=31.519542,35.45628&sspn=0.304624,0.512238&num=1&t=h&vpsrc=0&z=13

Comment

Jebel Archus, Mons Casius, South-eastern Turkey, TURKEY

Filed under: TURKEY — Leave a comment
August 23, 2011

Mons Casius, known today as Jebel Archus, is considered the home of the god “Baal”, to the south-west of Antioch, overlooking the Orontes (4). This great height gives spectacular views over the Mediterranean seaboard, and in particular a birds-eye view of the final passage of the Orontes into the ocean, [see blog on Sammandag for further details]. Interestingly the other end of biblical Syria near Tarsus was mount Amanus, or the “bull mountain” and the famous Cilician gates. The bull is another depiction of Baal.

Baal is considered the title to the semitic Hadad, or the Akkadian Adad, was the god of thunder, the consequent rain and fertility provided for agricultural prosperity considered the gift of the god. Numerous descriptions of Baal have been found at Ugarit in northern Syria, alongside pictorial depictions of forms of both bulls, and a man with upheld hand with thunder-bolt or arrows.  An additional title was that of rammanu meaning thunder, and may be reflected in the title Hammon-Rimmon of Zech 12:11. Baal was a title used of other gods, and means possessor, or lord. Later equivalents to Hadad were the Egyptian Set, Anatolian Teshub, Greek Zeus and the Roman Jupiter. The word is used in the scriptures of the relationship of a husband “baal” to his wife, such as in Deut 24:1-3 in contrast to a woman joined to another styled in the hebrew ’ish”  when still married. It thus carries the weight of covenant or contract in a relationship, and so reflected in a preserved remnant by Yahweh those “7000″ [a number of a multitude (1000) and covenants (7)] not having bowed the knee to the image of Baal Rom 11:4 and used as an example of the continuing preservation of Israel as a witness to deity.  Yahweh Himself calls Himself  “baal” Hosea 2:16 and described as a husband to Israel Isa 54:5; Jer 3:20.

This form of Baal as a bull is widespread. A life-size stele for Tiglath Piliser demonstrating Baal astride a Bull holding lightning bolts can be seen in the museum at Aleppo. (2) Further basalt stones demonstrating this form were also found at Hatzor in northern Israel. (3) Illustrated is an example from Sidon:

The Egyptian Set, being in a land of no rain was the god of the sandstorm, and the heat of the desert, the destructive forces on agriculture. It was thought to have been involved in Egypt in Memphis from 1550-1295 BC  (1). Elements of the bull-like form of Baal may have been represented in the Egyptian god Mentu who was the war god associated with Set , and the construction of the altar with the golden calf Ex 32:1-6 and the later form in Jerobaom I 2 Kings 10:29; 2Chron 13:8. Notice the link in the language: “behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt” 1 Kings 12:38.

To be a worshipper of Baal was to stand in juxtaposition to service of Yahweh 2 Kings 10:23. Whilst the term is used of numerous gods, as seen in the inclusion of the word in Baalzebub 2 Kings 1:6,16, the term Baal was not a completely inclusive term of apostate worship, as seen in the time of Jehu, Baal was to be removed from Israel, but there was continued apostate worship at the altars of Jeroboam 2 Kings 10:29.

The word Baal is incorporated into numerous proper nouns, such as Baal-peor, Baal-gad, Baal-zephon, Baal-hermon, Baalshalisha, Baalath, Baal-meon et al.

The worship of Baal was to be distinguished by:

  • An image 2 Kings 3:2; 10:27 molten images 2 Chron 28:2 graven images Hosea 11:2 a feature of the apostate church Rev 13:14,15; 14:9,11; 15:2; 16:2; 19:20; 20:4
  • A specific house 2 Kings 10:20,21,27; 2 Chron 23:17 etc  a feature of the apostate church 2 Thess 2:4
  • Garments or vestments of worship 2 Kings 10:22 a specific feature of Babylon Josh 7:21
  • Prophets 1 Kings 18:19,22,25,40; 2 Kings 10:19; Jer 2:8; 23:13 a feature of the apostate church Rev 19:20; 20:10
  • Priests 2 Kings 10:19; 11:18; 23:4,5; 2 Chron 23:17; Zeph 1:4 a predominant feature of the Roman catholic church
  • Worshippers or adherents 2 Kings 10:21 a feature of the apostate church Rev 13:4; 14:9,11; 16:2; 19:20; 20:4
  • Solemn assemblies 2 Kings 10:20 the catholic church is renowned for its religious calendar: lent, easter, holy-days, remembrance of saints and such like
  • Altars 2 Kings 21:3; 2 Chron 33:3; 34:4 for burnt offering Jer 19:5
  • Vessels made for Baal 2 Kings 23:4  a feature of the apostate church Rev 18:12
  • Burning of incense 2 Kings 23:5; Jer 7:9; 11:13; 32:29; Hosea 11:2 a feature of catholic worship, more pointed in the eastern church
  • Swearing Jer 12:16
  • High places Jer 19:5; 32:35
  • Allegiance to a Queen 1 Kings 18:19 a feature of the apostate church Rev 18:7
  • Education programs and teachers Jer 12:16 a feature seen in the Jesuit and other orders. Styled: “that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants ” Rev 2:20
  • Styled “walking after the imagination of the heart” Jer 9:14
  • Final destruction to be a draught house 2 Kings 10:27 the apostate church to become the habitation of devils and the habitation of foul spirits Rev 18:2

Hadad was incorporated into the names of both Aramean (biblical Syria) kings and Assyrian kings. So Ben-Hadad is the equivalent to “the son of god” and a title used of numerous individuals: 1 Kings 15:18,20; 20:1,2,5,9,10,16,17,20,26,30,32,33; 2 Kings 6:24; 8:7,9; 13:3,24,25; 1 Chron 16;2,4; Jer 49:27; Note the parallel; “the house of Hazael and the palaces of Benhadad” Amos1:4  Hadad was first used in scripture of a son of Edom, the antagonists of Israel Gen 36:35,36 later reflected in Hadad the Edomite who would oppose the regency of Solomon 1 Kings 11:4f. Further examples are Hadadezer an Aramean king ruling in Rehob (A location in southern Beqa, identified by the Heb. broad and a contrast to Maachah to be oppressed or pressed in, a reference to the Beqa south of the Litani dam) 2 Sam 8:3,5,7,8,9,10,12 Shalmaneser I was identified on a stele as the god of Aleppo and pictorially demonstrated in the form of Hadad.

There is no middle ground. Men are called to serve Yahweh, and if He is God, then serve Him Josh 24:13f; 1 Kings 18:21. There is no real alternate to serving the living God. He has ordained the terms of covenants and salvation. Worship of any other force or church that claims authority is paramount to being seduced to worshiping baal.

Features of Yahweh Himself are attributed by others to Baal. Yahweh is a man of war Ex 15;3 He thundered from the storm at Mt Sinai Ex 19:16; a feature of His voice 2 Sam 22:14  again later to the nation in the time of Samuel 1 Sam 12:18 and to His own son John 12:29 an exhibition of His enormous power, engaged to demonstrate His ability to judge, but at the same time concerned that men would hear His still, small voice, a more powerful force in changing men’s affections 1 Kings 19:12.

http://maps.google.com.au/maps?q=kadesh+orontes&hl=en&ll=35.955151,35.950699&spn=0.043215,0.136986&sll=31.795306,35.710888&sspn=0.087395,0.273972&radius=15000.000000&t=h&z=14&vpsrc=6&iwloc=A

  1. Egyptian mythology A-Z  Pat Remler, pg 26
  2. Aleppo museum visit, Lostcamels expedition 2010
  3. Gods, goddesses, and images of God in ancient Israel Othmar Keel, Christoph Uehlinger pg 58
  4. Robinson: Researches into Palestine and adjoining regions vol iii pg  461
Comment

Sammandag, Selucia Pieria, Eastern Turkey, TURKEY

Filed under: TURKEY — Leave a comment
August 23, 2011

This is a remarkable photograph, not because I took it, but because is a direct visual display of bible history.In 66AD the Roman eastern flank was challenged by the Persians, and the Roman empire had no deep-water port on the Mediterranean sea-board. The port of Antioch in Syria, or modern Antakya in Turkey, had its port as indicated to the north of the mouth of the Orontes river near the modern Turkish beach at Çevlik. But it had issues: it was continually silting up, and so no deep keeled boats could enter the harbour. This photograph demonstrates the very silt that was the problem for the Romans!

Titus and Vespasian took troops and Jewish captives from Jerusalem  to build a significant conduit through this mountain to harvest the waters collected from the range behind and divert it through the harbour and thus dispelling the silt.

This conduit was built under duress, and required rapid action, and no doubt the bent backs of the circumcision party (Acts 10:45 RSV) put blood, sweat and tears into this project, and on completion the troops again were diverted to their original task at Jerusalem.

Water still flows here today from the now earthquake damaged conduits, but stands as a testimony of the care of deity to allow the escape of followers of Christ from the siege conditions of Jerusalem, and find a temporary haven at Pella.

Antioch became an icon of the preaching of the truth to the gentiles, and was the sponsoring ecclesia of the missionary journeys of the apostle Paul, Acts 13:4; 14:26; 18:22. Other travels including the apostle Peter would have been via the port Acts 11:26; 12:25. Paul returned to Antioch on his return journey as evident from his interaction with Agabus, a prophet and early supporter of the ecclesia Acts 21:7-8 and would have left here with great hopes for the success of the Jerusalem poor fund in convincing the circumcision party of the need for grace as the prime-mover of acceptance with deity. But this task was to fail: after a short 10 day interval in Jerusalem Paul was taken to Caesarea and then onto Rome, from where the passionate message of the book of Hebrews was written to understand the spirit of grace was so important, particularly in light of the “little time” of the impending judgments of God on Jerusalem with the capture of many for the building of this tunnel project.

Paul would have left from the port, passing close to the location of where the tunnels would later be built. Named after Seleucus Nicator I, one of Alexander’s generals, the port and the city became the early foundations for the northern consolidated kingdom of the Greeks. Later known as the “king of the North” in Daniel 11, this kingdom would be the direct antagonist the Ptolemaic empire centered in Alexandria. The meat in the sandwich was the land of Israel, and significant conflicts would boil over in the “glorious land”.

Interestingly the only remaining ethnic Armenian village remaining in Turkey is not far from here at Vakifli, a reminder of the end of the Armenian orthodox church. Around 130 people only remain in the village. Further, the Titus tunnels stand under the shadow of Jebel (Mount) Archus, the home of the god Baal, but that is the subject of another story…

http://maps.google.com.au/maps?hl=en&ll=36.122728,35.928104&spn=0.010781,0.034246&t=h&z=16&vpsrc=6

Comment
Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 39 other followers