Venus is a planet in our solar system. She was also called Ishtar by the Babylonians and Astarte by the Phoenicians, , but the Bible has no record of either name. Instead, we know her by Ashoreth which becomes Aphrodite in Ancient Greece. The Babylonian Ishtar represented the evening and morning stars and was accordingly … Continue reading Venus is not Ishtar or Ashoreth
Ceramic Statue of BAAL
from the Dallas Museums of Arts. I got this from the Visual Guide to the Bible but I cannot find it anywhere mentioned on their site; obviously it is not as up-to-date as the Met’s. That’s a shame as I have no clue how large it is. What it does remind me of, particularly, the … Continue reading Ceramic Statue of BAAL
An evil spirit came down against Abimelech
Let’s try this again. I did this in the beginning of the week and lost it all. It took a few days to get used to that, including finding out that my backup (via Aoemei Backup) did not backup that folder, now that was waste. There is a reason that they tell you to do … Continue reading An evil spirit came down against Abimelech
Abimilech and One Stone
While Gideon appears as one of the most successful Hebrew judges in maintaining order he was far from perfect but still capable of mastery held the reins and gave forth judgment with an authority none could challenge. His burial in the family sepulcher in Ophrah is specially recorded as if it had been a great … Continue reading Abimilech and One Stone
Reviewing Judges 8
Judges 9 is a harsh reversal of Judges 8 and Gideon’s anger against Israel’s enemies. It is poignant picture of how warring for God is no sin, but warring against God most certainly is. The two scenes, Gideon against Succoth and Penuel vs Abimelech against Gideon’s Israelite sons, are so similar, that without wisdom & … Continue reading Reviewing Judges 8
Are The Gideons related to the Judge Gideon?
The short answer is Yes. So why are they the Gideons? The organization, The Gideons International, takes its name from the Biblical figure Gideon, depicted in Judges 6. They are traditional, evangelical Christians and believe and teach the basics of orthodox Christian doctrine. They began their work distributing free Bibles in 1908 by placing … Continue reading Are The Gideons related to the Judge Gideon?
Judges 8: The Denouement of Gideon
Returning home the Israelites are happy with Gideon and offer him kingship. He surprisingly turn this down and tells them that only the Lord should be their ruler but he never pays tribute the Lord for his victories. Instead he says nothing about the Lord's help. Instead Gideon asks his tribesman for tribute: one gold earring … Continue reading Judges 8: The Denouement of Gideon
Recapping Judges 8…so far
With the two kings slain, Gideon & Israel are victorious. Obviously troubling is Gideon’s taking of booty ; problematic is his comment about the battle at Tabor. There is little I can find that even explorers that comment, most just write it off as a non-sequitor, but we just did have a battle at Tabor … Continue reading Recapping Judges 8…so far
Judges 8: Pursuing Zebah and Zalmunna
Next we find the 2 Midianite Kings in Karkor with their greatly diminished armies. Gideon wages a surprise attack and conquers them. He is incredibly dogged in their pursuit and finally at 8:18 we learn why. “Describe for me the men you killed at Tabor.” Gideon demands. “They were like you. Each one looked like … Continue reading Judges 8: Pursuing Zebah and Zalmunna
Judges 8: Gideon goes to Penuel
From Succoth, Gideon goes up the Jabbok, now the Arabic Zarqa River (see the map below) to Penuel (Peniel from is the same place). The two towns are close in distance, about five and half miles away, but despite this being the place where Jacob met Yahweh and became Israel (Genesis 32:30), they too say … Continue reading Judges 8: Gideon goes to Penuel
In my anguish... 