Mari and the Bible

Archaeological excavations in the Middle Euphrates Valley over the last 80 years have expanded remarkably our understanding of the history of Mesopotamia, Syria, and Palestine. That history was the setting for the Biblical cultures of the time from Abraham to Philo Judaeus, Jesus, and Flavius Josephus. The discovery of Mari with its extensive cunieform library is at the center of these developments. This presentation examines some of the new information that has come to light as a result of this discovery as well as how our current reading of our sacred scriptures is illumined, expanded, and made infinitely more colorful and lively as we read it in its contemporary context, of which Mari affords us the eyes and lenses for new vision.

This was part of The Genesis of Things DVD.