Glenn J. Corbett
Every issue, we get a lot of letters from our readers (see Queries & Comments). Some remark on how much they enjoyed a particular article; others voice their displeasure when our authors question the Bible; still others have thoughtful, insightful questions about something they read (my favorite!).
It’s always fun to read through these letters, but they are also a constant reminder never to assume too much about who you are, what you believe, and why you read the magazine. BAR reaches an amazing array of people: believers, nonbelievers, seekers, armchair archaeologists, history buffs, students, teachers, Bible study groups, pastors, and rabbis, to name but a few. Given BAR’s eclectic readership, my main goal as Editor-in-Chief is simply to make the best and latest scholarship on the world of the Bible accessible and interesting to as many people as possible.
I hope our Winter 2023 issue does just that! In “Archaeology in the Land of Midian,” explore the ruins of Qurayyah, a thriving desert oasis that dominated northwest Arabia—biblical Midian—during the time of Moses and the Exodus. In “The House of Peter: Capernaum or Bethsaida?” revisit the site of El-Araj on the Sea of Galilee and examine new evidence that its Byzantine church was where early Christians commemorated the house of the chief apostle.
In “Hard Power,” learn about the impressive stone statues of the biblical Ammonites, one of ancient Israel’s chief rivals east of the Jordan, and why this small Iron Age kingdom developed such a monumental artistic style. And in “Warrior Women,” study a new mosaic from the Huqoq synagogue that depicts Deborah’s victory over the Canaanites and learn why this famous biblical story continued to resonate with Jewish audiences in late antiquity.
In addition to news, updates, and our always-enjoyable quizzes, Strata examines the “woman in the window” motif in ancient Near Eastern art and the biblical passages that shed light on its meaning and symbolism. Author Jennifer Tobin seeks the origins of the world’s seven great wonders and finds that ancient authors could never quite agree on which sites should make the list. Test Kitchen also delivers a savory meat cake from medieval Mongolia that will add the perfect amount of spice to any holiday meal.
Epistles takes a critical look at the history, traditions, and peoples behind the biblical text. In searching for the Nativity story’s Star of Bethlehem, BAR Assistant Editor Nathan Steinmeyer reminds us of the very different ways in which ancient astronomers perceived and interpreted celestial events. Andrew Tobolowsky probes the origins of ancient Israel’s tribes and concludes that the 12-tribe tradition was likely more idealized myth than historical reality. Finally, Jonathan Robie demonstrates how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing Bible translation but also presenting new challenges for producing reliable and trusted results.
As with every issue of BAR, some will find these articles informative and enlightening, others will find them challenging or even troubling, and many will simply enjoy their beautiful illustrations (which is fine, too!). But my hope is that everyone finds something to enjoy while also appreciating the diverse values, backgrounds, and interests of all those who read the magazine.
Every issue, we get a lot of letters from our readers (see Queries & Comments). Some remark on how much they enjoyed a particular article; others voice their displeasure when our authors question the Bible; still others have thoughtful, insightful questions about something they read (my favorite!). It’s always fun to read through these letters, but they are also a constant reminder never to assume too much about who you are, what you believe, and why you read the magazine. BAR reaches an amazing array of people: believers, nonbelievers, seekers, armchair archaeologists, history buffs, students, teachers, Bible study groups, pastors, […]
