ancient near east

ancient near east Latest

Cropped illustration shows Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Photo: From Charles Foster, The Story of the Bible (1897)

Feb 1 Blog

Who Was the Wife of Cain?

Who did Cain marry? Where did she come from? Mary Joan Winn Leith suggests that while the Israelite storyteller knew that other men and women in Genesis existed outside of Eden, they did not matter to him or factor into his account. He was concerned with Adam and Eve and their progeny—not those outside of this group.

Ta’anach Cult Stand. Photo © The Israel Museum, Jerusalem/Israel Antiquities Authority (photograph by Avraham Hay)

Jan 20 Blog

Asherah and the Asherim: Goddess or Cult Symbol?

By: Ellen White

Who is Asherah? What is asherah? The reference may be to a particular goddess, a class of goddess or a cult symbol used to represent the goddess. It is sometimes difficult to distinguish what meaning is intended.

Photo: Photography by G. Laron/Courtesy of the Khirbet Qeiyafa Expedition

Jan 17 Blog

The Doorways of Solomon’s Temple

By: Megan Sauter

In the Bible, the inner shrine of Solomon’s Temple is described as having five mezuzot. What are they? The question has puzzled Biblical scholars for centuries. Does a recently discovered shrine model from Khirbet Qeiyafa hold the answer?

Dec 14 Blog

Locating Zoar

By: BAS Staff

Read Master’s College professor Bill Schlegel’s commentary on the location of Zoar along with Steven Collins’s response.

The Lion Gate—named for the stone lions on either side of the entrance. Photo: Sonia Halliday Photographs/Photo by Jane Taylor

Nov 25 Blog

Who Were the Hittites?

By: Ellen White

Archaeology tells us a lot about the Hittites—and the Neo-Hittites too. But it’s hard to reconcile this with the Hittites of the Bible.

Drawing of the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians, as depicted in The Art Bible, c. 1896. Internet Archive Book Images, No restrictions, via Wikimedia Commons.

Nov 12 Blog

Lamenting the Fall of Jerusalem

By: BAS Staff

Without a doubt, one of the most significant events within the Hebrew bible is the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians in 586 BCE. It […]

Photo of Torah Scroll. Photo: “Open Torah and Pointer” by Lawrie Cate is licensed under CC-by-SA-2.0

Oct 9 Blog

What Does the Bible Say About Tattoos?

By: Megan Sauter

Although Leviticus 19:28 clearly prohibits tattoos, it does not give an explicit reason why. This begs the question: Why does the Bible prohibit tattoos?

Ancient tekhelet: the Jewish prayer shawl

Sep 11 Blog

What Color Was Tekhelet?

By: Robin Ngo

In the Bible, a shade of blue called tekhelet was God’s chosen color for the ancient Israelites. Tekhelet drapes adorned Solomon’s Temple, and tekhelet robes were worn by Israel’s high priests. What was the actual color of ancient tekhelet and tzitzit?

Sep 10 Blog

Cultic Weaponry of Urartu

By: Nathan Steinmeyer

Excavations at the site of Ayanis Castle in eastern Turkey revealed three magnificent bronze shields and a helmet dedicated to Haldi, the chief god of […]

Aug 31 Blog

53 People in the Bible Confirmed Archaeologically

By: Lawrence Mykytiuk

How many people mentioned in the Hebrew Bible have been confirmed archaeologically? Lawrence Mykytiuk reveals the surprising number—from Israelite kings to Mesopotamian monarchs—and some lesser figures as well.

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Ancient Israel in Egypt and the Exodus

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