Features

Wilderness Wanderings
Ethnographic Lessons from Modern Bedouin By Zeʼev Meshel

Does the narrative of the journeys of the Israelites in the wilderness have any authentic background? Could the wanderings really have taken place in Sinai? After all, as is frequently noted, there is a complete absence of any archaeological remains that would evidence their wanderings. Every natural environment, however, has its unique characteristics, […]

To What God?
Altars and a House Shrine from Tel Rehov Puzzle Archaeologists By Nava Panitz-Cohen

Recent finds from Tel Rehov shed a bright light on domestic religious observance in ancient Israel and, like so many archaeological finds, raise unanswered questions, reminding us how little we really know. At 25 acres, Tel Rehov is one of the largest mounds in Israel. It is located a little more than half way […]

Archelaus Builds Archelais
Herod’s son constructs a desert city that cecomes Pagan, then Christian By Hananya Hizmi

Herod’s son Archelaus was hated by his Jewish subjects no less than his father. Herod had left instructions that on his death leading scholars were to be put to death to ensure that there would be mourning when he died. This gives some idea of the attitude of the people toward him.

The Salome No One Knows
Long-time Ruler of a Prosperous and Peaceful Judea Mentioned in Dead Sea Scrolls By Kenneth Atkinson

When people hear the name Salome, they immediately think of the infamous dancing girl of the Gospels. Herod Antipas—the man Jesus denounced as a “fox”—had married his brother’s wife, Herodias. When John the Baptist denounced this illicit union, Herod Antipas cast him into prison. It was Herodias’s daughter, Salome, who danced before Herod at […]

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