Theological History

Posted By rachel on September 3, 2010

Ancient City of Petra Tombs Reveals 61 Burials

Archaeologists have made two major tomb discoveries at the ancient city of Petra in southern Jordan.

They discovered a rock-cut tomb that contained the skeletal remains of 61 individuals, along with a wealth of wooden artefacts, animal bones and ceramics.

Archaeological Tombs Dating Back to Bronze Age Discovered in Northern Syria

Syria (Aleppo) – The American- Dutch archaeological expedition working at the site of Tal Om al-Mara, 50 kms to the east of Aleppo, has unearthed two archaeological tombs dating back to the Ancient Bronze Age 2800 B.C.

5,000 Year Old Archaeological Pottery Craft Unearthed in Syria

Archaeological excavations in the Houran region in Daraa, southern Syria, show that the region mastered the craft of pottery and its various uses 5000 years ago.

The excavations uncovered great numbers of pottery known as “black clay” that strongly imply connections between the occupants of Houran and the people of the Nile Valley.

Dead Sea Scrolls Mystery Solved?

…The new clues hint that the scrolls, which include some of the oldest known biblical documents, may have been the textual treasures of several groups, hidden away during wartime—and may even be “the great treasure from the Jerusalem Temple,” which held the Ark of the Covenant, according to the Bible.

Tablet Discovered by Hebrew U Matches Code of Hammurabi

For the first time in Israel, a document has been uncovered containing a law code that parallels portions of the famous Code of Hammurabi. The code is written on fragments of a cuneiform tablet, dating from the 18th-17th centuries B.C.E in the Middle Bronze Age, that were found in Hebrew University of Jerusalem archaeological excavations this summer at Hazor, south of Kiryat Shmonah, in northern Israel.

An Ancient Subterranean Secret Complex Discovered in Hamadan Province

LONDON, (CAIS) – An ancient network of secret tunnels and dwellings has been discovered in Hamedan Province.The Iranian province lies in an elevated region, with the ‘Alvand’ mountains, running from the north west to the south west.

Shiloh, Israel’s Capital for 400 Years, Being Uncovered

…In Shiloh, north of Beit El, excavations are currently being carried out under the auspices of the Archaeological Staff Officer for Judea and Samaria in the IDF Civilian Administration Antiquities Unit and the Binyamin local authority.

Dig Unearths 5,000 Year old Artifact in Sidon

…Work carried out since June 19 of this year has uncovered two new rooms in a 10-room building dating back to the third millennium BC. In one of these chambers the team found a small figurine and a small container with a broken handle.

Waqf Bulldozers on Temple Mount May be Destroying Jewish History

Jewish residents report that Waqf works at the Dome of the Rock have restarted ‘under cover’, likely destroying Jewish archaeological artifacts.

Temple Found in Philistine Home of Goliath

Archeologists have uncovered a Philistine temple and evidence of a major earthquake in biblical times, during digs carried out at the Tel Tzafit National Park near Kiryat Gat.

The site is home to the Philistine city of Gath, the home of the ancient warrior Goliath.

Revelations of an Ever-Changing Past

A manhole cover is inconspicuously embedded in the road leading into Jaffa Gate in the Old City of Jerusalem. Every day, hundreds of drivers and pedestrians pass by this spot; one of the city’s busiest sites. But only a few realize that this is not really a manhole, leading into the bowels of the municipal sewerage system, but rather a “gateway” to a different kind of underground world – in fact, to one of the most dramatic archaeological sites in this part of the city.

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Tags: ANE, Anthropology, Archaeology, Bronze Age, Code of Hammurabi, Dead Sea Scrolls, Figurine, Gath, Goliath, Hamedan Province, Har HaBayit, Iran, Israel, Jaffa Gate, Jerusalem, Jewish, Jordan, Lebanon, Middle East, Petra, Pottery, Shiloh, Sidon, Syria, Temple, Temple Mount, Tombs, Tunnels, Waqf

Posted By rachel on September 1, 2010

This week’s “Midweek Midrash” is from The Legends of the Jews by Louis Ginzberg (1909).

ENOCH, RULER AND TEACHER

After Enoch had lived a long time secluded from men, he once heard the voice of an angel calling to him: “Enoch, Enoch, make thyself ready and leave the house and the secret place wherein thou hast kept thyself hidden, and assume dominion over men, to teach them the ways in which they shall walk, and the deeds which they shall do, in order that they may walk in the ways of God.”

Enoch left his retreat and betook himself to the haunts of men. He gathered them about him, and instructed them in the conduct pleasing to God. He sent messengers all over to announce, “Ye who desire to know the ways of God and righteous conduct, come ye to Enoch!” Thereupon a vast concourse of people thronged about him, to hear the wisdom he would teach and learn from his mouth what is good and right. Even kings and princes, no less than one hundred and thirty in number, assembled about him, and submitted themselves to his dominion, to be taught and guided by him, as he taught and guided all the others. Peace reigned thus over the whole world all the two hundred and forty-three years during which the influence of Enoch prevailed.

At the expiration of this period, in the year in which Adam died, and was buried with great honors by Seth, Enosh, Enoch, and Methuselah, Enoch resolved to retire again from intercourse with men, and devote himself wholly to the service of God. But he withdrew gradually. First he would spend three days in prayer and praise of God, and on the fourth day he would return to his disciples and grant them instruction. Many years passed thus, then he appeared among them but once a week, later, once a month, and, finally, once a year. The kings, princes, and all others who were desirous of seeing Enoch and hearkening to his words did not venture to come close to him during the times of his retirement. Such awful majesty sat upon his countenance, they feared for their very life if they but looked at him. They therefore resolved that all men should prefer their requests before Enoch on the day he showed himself unto them.

The impression made by the teachings of Enoch upon all who heard them was powerful. They prostrated themselves before him, and cried “Long live the king! Long live the king!” On a certain day, while Enoch was giving audience to his followers, an angel appeared and made known unto him that God had resolved to install him as king over the angels in heaven, as until then he had reigned over men. He called together all the inhabitants of the earth, and addressed them thus: “I have been summoned to ascend into heaven, and I know not on what day I shall go thither. Therefore I will teach you wisdom and righteousness before I go hence.” A few days yet Enoch spent among men, and all the time left to him he gave instruction in wisdom, knowledge, God-fearing conduct, and piety, and established law and order, for the regulation of the affairs of men. Then those gathered near him saw a gigantic steed descend from the skies, and they told Enoch of it, who said, “The steed is for me, for the time has come and the day when I leave you, never to be seen again.” So it was. The steed approached Enoch, and he mounted upon its back, all the time instructing the people, exhorting them, enjoining them to serve God and walk in His ways. Eight hundred thousand of the people followed a day’s journey after him. But on the second day Enoch urged his retinue to turn back: “Go ye home, lest death overtake you, if you follow me farther.” Most of them heeded his words and went back, but a number remained with him for six days, though he admonished them daily to return and not bring death down upon themselves. On the sixth day of the journey, he said to those still accompanying him, “Go ye home, for on the morrow I shall ascend to heaven, and whoever will then be near me, he will die.” Nevertheless, some of his companions remained with him, saying: “Whithersoever thou goest, we will go. By the living God, death alone shall part us.”

On the seventh day Enoch was carried into the heavens in a fiery chariot drawn by fiery chargers. The day thereafter, the kings who had turned back in good time sent messengers to inquire into the fate of the men who had refused to separate themselves from Enoch, for they had noted the number of them. They found snow and great hailstones upon the spot whence Enoch had risen, and, when they searched beneath, they discovered the bodies of all who had remained behind with Enoch. He alone was not among them; he was on high in heaven.

Category: Midrash | 1 Comment »
Tags: Bible, Enoch, Judaism, Legends of the Jews, Louis Ginzberg, Midrash, Old Testament, Tanach, Tanakh

Posted By rachel on August 30, 2010

Comparison studies have been crucial to the study of myth since the nineteenth century. It was during this time that evolution, diffusion (theories about the spread of culture), functionalism (theories about the mind/body problem), and structuralism (societal structure) generated narratives about human development. The focus was upon the similarities of worldwide myths while ignoring the differences. This focus became known as the “comparative method”.¹

Creation myths evolve over time. They may be altered by scientific discoveries and religious and psychological influences. At times, new concepts are added or melded together because these creation myths reflect the science of their times.²

The Biblical creation story, according to one theory, incorporates two separate creation stories. The story we see in Bereishit (Genesis) is a compilation of the works of three separate authors who are identified as the Priestly, Yahwist, and Elohist. According to this theory, the stories come from separate time periods between 950 and 550 BCE.²

———————–

¹Merolla, D. and Schipper, M. Myth, Theory and Area Studies Leiden University, The Netherlands (January, 2009) [http://www.blackwell-compass.com/subject/religion/article_view?article_id=reco_articles_bpl130]

²Thury, E. M. and Devinney, M. K. Introduction to Mythology: Contemporary Approaches to Classical and World Myths, 2^nd ed. (New York: Oxford University Press, 2009), pp. 23, 50

What are your comments or questions?

רחל

Category: Bereishit (Genesis) | No Comments »
Tags: Anthropology, Bereishit, Bible, Creation, Genesis, Myth, Old Testament, Tanach, Tanakh, Torah

Posted By rachel on August 27, 2010

Ramesses II Temple Unearthed In Upper Egypt

Beni Suef, 15 July (AKI) – Excavations in Upper Egypt’s Ehnasia archaeological area in Beni-Sueif recently uncovered the remains of a 3,000 year old temple dating from the reign of ancient Egyptian pharaoh Rameses II.

2,000-Year-Old Gold Coin a Testament to Galilee Ancient History

A 2,000-year-old gold coin discovered by a West Virginia University student at an archaeological site in the upper Galilee has proven to be the find of the season.

Tutankhamun – The Secrets of the Tomb Go Online

…Jaromir Malek is the soft-spoken keeper of the archive whose own Tutankhamun project is nearing completion. By making all of Carter’s notes available online, Malek wanted to ensure that the public would have access to the full extent of the discovery – and to spur Egyptologists into finishing the job of studying the tomb’s contents. He has ended up creating a model that other researchers hope will transform the field of archaeology.

Smugglers Sack Sassanid Site in Southwest Iran

TEHRAN — Smugglers of cultural heritage have looted a Sassanid structure located in the Baghmalek region in northeast Khuzestan Province.

Computers to Translate World’s Lost Languages After Program Deciphers Ancient Text

Scientists have used a computer program to decipher a written language that is more than three thousand years old.

The program automatically translated the ancient written language of Ugaritic within just a few hours.

Dead Sea Scrolls Made Locally, Tests Show

Proton beams have shed new light on the origin of the longest of the Dead Sea scrolls, suggesting its parchment was manufactured locally.

Cleaning Up Intersection of Ancient and Modern

…On Monday the museum opens new galleries and public spaces. There will be far fewer objects on display, with twice the space to view them, as well as richer links and explanations. In some of the new spaces soft light enters through filtered glass walls, the Jerusalem landscape a dreamy background presence. And a climate-controlled path leads to a central concourse from which the works can be reached.

6,000-Year-Old Statue Discovered In Jordanian Desert

Amman – A joint Jordanian-German archaeological team has discovered a statue in Jordan’s eastern desert that dates back 6,000 years, media reports said Wednesday.

Ancient Pakistan Civilization Remains Shrouded in Mystery

The Indus civilization encompassed more than 680,000 square kilometers, from western India to northern Afghanistan, double the area of ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia combined.  Although the civilization had some of the earliest writing, several factors have kept clues about the ancient Indus people buried underground and under the Indus River.

Researchers in Israel Find World’s First Steak Knives

Archaeologists digging in a cave in Israel have found what looks to be the world’s first cutlery: tiny stone knives dating back at least 200,000 years that would have been used to cut meat during a meal.

New Find In Badia Illuminates Ancient Bedouin Life

AMMAN – The discovery of a 6,000-year-old statue in the Northern Badia sheds new light on a little-known ancient bedouin civilisation that once thrived in the region, according to archaeologists.

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Tags: ANE, Anthropology, Archaeology, Badia, Bedouin, Dead Sea Scrolls, Egypt, Galilee, Gold Coin, Howard Carter, Indus Civilization, Iran, Israel, Israel Museum, Jerusalem, Jordan, Languages, Middle East, Near East, Pakistan, Ramesses II, Sassanid, Temple, Tutankhamun

Posted By rachel on August 25, 2010

This week’s “Midweek Midrash” is from The Legends of the Jews by Louis Ginzberg (1909).

THE FALL OF THE ANGELS

The depravity of mankind, which began to show itself in the time of Enosh, had increased monstrously in the time of his grandson Jared, by reason of the fallen angels. When the angels saw the beautiful, attractive daughters of men, they lusted after them, and spoke: “We will choose wives for ourselves only from among the daughters of men, and beget children with them.” Their chief Shemhazai said, “I fear me, ye will not put this plan of yours into execution, and I alone shall have to suffer the consequences of a great sin.” Then they answered him, and said: “We will all swear an oath, and we will bind ourselves, separately and together, not to abandon the plan, but to carry it through to the end.”

Two hundred angels descended to the summit of Mount Hermon, which owes its name to this very occurrence, because they bound themselves there to fulfil their purpose, on the penalty of Herem, anathema. Under the leadership of twenty captains they defiled themselves with the daughters of men, unto whom they taught charms, conjuring formulas, how to cut roots, and the efficacy of plants. The issue from these mixed marriages was a race of giants, three thousand ells tall, who consumed the possessions of men. When all had vanished, and they could obtain nothing more from them, the giants turned against men and devoured many of them, and the remnant of men began to trespass against the birds, beasts, reptiles, and fishes, eating their flesh and drinking their blood.

Then the earth complained about the impious evil-doers. But the fallen angels continued to corrupt mankind. Azazel taught men how to make slaughtering knives, arms, shields, and coats of mail. He showed them metals and how to work them, and armlets and all sorts of trinkets, and the use of rouge for the eyes, and how to beautify the eyelids, and how to ornament themselves with the rarest and most precious jewels and all sorts of paints. The chief of the fallen angels, Shemhazai, instructed them in exorcisms and how to cut roots; Armaros taught them how to raise spells; Barakel, divination from the stars; Kawkabel, astrology; Ezekeel, augury from the clouds; Arakiel, the signs of the earth; Samsaweel, the signs of the sun; and Seriel, the signs of the moon.

While all these abominations defiled the earth, the pious Enoch lived in a secret place. None among men knew his abode, or what had become of him, for he was sojourning with the angel watchers and holy ones. Once he heard the call addressed to him: “Enoch, thou scribe of justice, go unto the watchers of the heavens, who have left the high heavens, the eternal place of holiness, defiling themselves with women, doing as men do, taking wives unto themselves, and casting themselves into the arms of destruction upon earth. Go and proclaim unto them that they shall find neither peace nor pardon. For every time they take joy in their offspring, they shall see the violent death of their sons, and sigh over the ruin of their children. They will pray and supplicate evermore, but never shall they attain to mercy or peace.”

Enoch repaired to Azazel and the other fallen angels, to announce the doom uttered against them. They all were filled with fear. Trembling seized upon them, and they implored Enoch to set up a petition for them and read it to the Lord of heaven, for they could not speak with God as aforetime, nor even raise their eyes heavenward, for shame on account of their sins. Enoch granted their request, and in a vision he was vouchsafed the answer which he was to carry back to the angels. It appeared to Enoch that he was wafted into heaven upon clouds, and was set down before the throne of God. God spake: “Go forth and say to the watchers of heaven who have sent thee hither to intercede for them: Verily, it is you who ought to plead in behalf of men, not men in behalf of you I Why did ye forsake the high, holy, and eternal heavens, to pollute yourselves with the daughters of men, taking wives unto yourselves, doing like the races of the earth, and begetting giant sons? Giants begotten by flesh and spirits will be called evil spirits on earth, and on the earth will be their dwelling-place. Evil spirits proceed from their bodies, because they are created from above, and from the holy watchers is their beginning and primal origin; they will be evil spirits on earth, and evil spirits they will be named. And the spirits of heaven have their dwelling in heaven, but the spirits of the earth, which were born upon the earth, have their dwelling on the earth. And the spirits of the giants will devour, oppress, destroy, attack, do battle, and cause destruction on the earth, and work affliction. They will take no kind of food, nor will they thirst, and they will be invisible. And these spirits will rise up against the children of men and against the women, because they have proceeded from them. Since the days of murder and destruction and the death of the giants, when the spirits went forth from the soul of their flesh, in order to destroy without incurring judgment–thus will they destroy until the day when the great consummation of the great world be consummated. And now as to the watchers who have sent thee to intercede for them, who had been aforetime in heaven, say to them: You have been in heaven, and though the hidden things had not yet been revealed to you, you know worthless mysteries, and in the hardness of your hearts you have recounted these to the women, and through these mysteries women and men work much evil on earth. Say to them therefore: You have no peace!”

Category: Midrash | 1 Comment »
Tags: Fallen Angel, Judaism, Legends of the Jews, Louis Ginzberg, Midrash, Old Testament, Tanach, Tanakh

Posted By rachel on August 23, 2010

Allah is the creator

Qur’an 11:7: He it is Who created the heavens and the earth in six days – and His throne was over the waters – that He might try you, which of you is best in conduct. But if thou wert to say to them, “Ye shall indeed be raised up after death”, the Unbelievers would be sure to say, “This is nothing but obvious sorcery!”¹

Qur’an 21:30: Do not the Unbelievers see that the heavens and the earth were joined together (as one unit of creation), before We clove them asunder? We made from water every living thing. Will they not then believe?¹

Creation of the earth and all that was on it took four days

Qur’an 41:9-10: Say: Is it that ye deny Him who created the earth in two days? And do ye join equals with Him? He is the Lord of (all) the worlds. He set on the (earth) mountains standing firm, high above it, and bestowed blessings on the earth, and measured therein all things to give them nourishment in due proportion, in four days, in accordance with (the needs of) those who seek (sustenance).¹

Creation of the sky, sun, moon, and stars took two days

Qur’an 41:11-12: Moreover He comprehended in His design the sky, and it had been (as) smoke: He said to it and to the earth: “Come ye together, willingly or unwillingly.” They said: “We do come (together), in willing obedience.” So He completed them as seven firmaments in two days, and He assigned to each heaven its duty and command. And We adorned the lower heaven with lights, and (provided it) with guard. Such is the decree of (Him) the Exalted in Might, full of knowledge.¹

Creation of mankind

Qur’an 2:30: Behold, thy Lord said to the angels: “I will create a vicegerent on earth.” They said: “Wilt Thou place therein one who will make mischief therein and shed blood? – Whilst we do celebrate Thy praises and glorify Thy holy (name)?” He said: “I know what ye know not.”

————————————–

¹Ali, A. Y. The Qur’an: Text, Translation, and Commentary (Elmhurst, NY: Tahrike Tarsile Qur’an, Inc., 2001), pp. 45, 515, 828, 1288-1289

What are your comments or questions?

רחל

Category: Bereishit (Genesis) | No Comments »
Tags: Adam, Bereishit, Creation, Earth, Eve, Genesis, Heavens, Islam, Koran, Qur'an

Posted By rachel on August 19, 2010

I am sorry for the lack of posts this week. My computer decided to die on me last week and I just received my new laptop. Posting will resume on Monday (8/23/10).

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Tags: Blog Update

Posted By rachel on August 11, 2010

This week’s “Midweek Midrash” is from The Legends of the Jews by Louis Ginzberg (1909).

ENOSH

Enosh was asked who his father was, and he named Seth. The questioners, the people of his time, continued: “Who was the father of Seth?” Enosh: “Adam.”–”And who was the father of Adam?”–”He had neither father nor mother, God formed him from the dust of the earth.”–”But man has not the appearance of dust!”–”After death man returns to dust, as God said, ‘And man shall turn again unto dust;’ but on the day of his creation, man was made in the image of God.”–”How was the woman created?”- “Male and female He created them.”–”But how?”–”God took water and earth, and moulded them together in the form of man.”–”But how?” pursued the questioners.

Enosh took six clods of earth, mixed them, and moulded them, and formed an image of dust and clay. “But,” said the people, “this image does not walk, nor does it possess any breath of life.” He then essayed to show them how God breathed the breath of life into the nostrils of Adam, but when he began to blow his breath into the image he had formed, Satan entered it, and the figure walked, and the people of his time who had been inquiring these matters of Enosh went astray after it, saying, “What is the difference between bowing down before this image and paying homage to a man?”

The generation of Enosh were thus the first idol worshippers, and the punishment for their folly was not delayed long. God caused the sea to transgress its bounds, and a portion of the earth was flooded. This was the time also when the mountains became rocks, and the dead bodies of men began to decay. And still another consequence of the sin of idolatry was that the countenances of the men of the following generations were no longer in the likeness and image of God, as the countenances of Adam, Seth, and Enosh had been. They resembled centaurs and apes, and the demons lost their fear of men.

But there was a still more serious consequence from the idolatrous practices introduced in the time of Enosh. When God drove Adam forth from Paradise, the Shekinah remained behind, enthroned above a cherub under the tree of life. The angels descended from heaven and repaired thither in hosts, to receive their instructions, and Adam and his descendants sat by the gate to bask in the splendor of the Shekinah, sixty-five thousand times more radiant than the splendor of the sun. This brightness of the Shekinah makes all upon whom it falls exempt from disease, and neither insects nor demons can come nigh unto them to do them harm.

Thus it was until the time of Enosh, when men began to gather gold, silver, gems, and pearls from all parts of the earth, and made idols thereof a thousand parasangs high. What was worse, by means of the magic arts taught them by the angels Uzza and Azzael, they set themselves as masters over the heavenly spheres, and forced the sun, the moon, and the stars to be subservient to themselves instead of the Lord. This impelled the angels to ask God: ” ‘What is man, that Thou art mindful of him?’ Why didst Thou abandon the highest of the heavens, the seat of Thy glory and Thy exalted Throne in ‘Arabot, and descend to men, who pay worship to idols, putting Thee upon a level with them?” The Shekinah was induced to leave the earth and ascend to heaven, amid the blare and flourish of the trumpets of the myriads of angel hosts.

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Tags: Bible, Enosh, Midrash, Old Testament, Seth, Tanach, Tanakh, Torah

Posted By rachel on August 6, 2010

Ancient Synagogue Found in Kinneret Region

Among many important discoveries, 2010 Kinneret Regional Project (www.kinneret-excavations.org) discovered an ancient synagogue, in use at around 400 CE.

Sassanid Fire Temple Discovered in Central Iran

…The cruciform temple has four entrances leading to the ruins of a fireplace embellished with unique stucco designs, Javeri said.

The team has also unearthed pieces of ornate stucco work at the foot of the fireplace, he added.

Egypt: Colorful Ancient Tombs Unearthed

Cairo, 7 July (AKI) – A team of archaeologists has discovered two colourful tombs, believed to be around 4,300 years old, at the ancient necropolis of Saqqara, south of Cairo, Egyptian culture minister Farouq Hosni said on Wednesday.

Secret Tunnel Explored in Pharaoh’s Tomb

After three years of hauling out rubble and artifacts via a railway-car system (rails visible at left), the excavators have hit a wall, the team announced last week. It seems the ancient workers who created the steep tunnel under Egypt’s Valley of the Kings near Luxor (map) abruptly stopped after cutting 572 feet (174 meters) into rock.

Scholar Composes Music From Archaeological Ugaritic Cuneiform Tablets

Syria (Lattakia) –  Musical scholar Ziad Ajjan composed eight poetry and musical pieces from the musical archaeological cuneiform tablet known as “Hymn of Supplication” H6 discovered in Ugarit in the early 20th century.

4,300 Year Old Tombs Found in Egypt

Egyptian archaeologists on Thursday unveiled a newly-unearthed double tomb with vivid wall paintings in the ancient necropolis of Saqqara near Cairo, saying it could be the start for uncovering a vast cemetery in the area.

Mosaics Documenting History and Civilization of Syria

…Shedding light on the intellectual, economic, social and cultural development in the region, the number of mosaic paintings unearthed in Daraa Province reaches 25.Most of them are bath floors or murals in churches and royal palaces from Byzantine era.

Oldest Written Document Ever Found in Jerusalem

Hebrew University excavations recently unearthed a clay fragment dating back to the 14th century BCE, said to be the oldest written document ever found in Jerusalem.

Archaeologists Uncover Goliath’s Hometown

An ongoing archaeological excavation in Tel Tzafit continues to unearth the ruins of what was once the city of Gat – described in the Bible as the hometown of Goliath. Professor Aren Maeir, who is directing the dig, spoke to Arutz Sheva’s Hebrew-language news service to discuss the latest finds.

Category: Archaeology | 1 Comment »
Tags: Akkadian, Anthropology, Archaeology, Cairo, Cuneiform, Daraa Province, Egypt, Gat, Gath, Goliath, History, Iran, Israel, Jerusalem, Kinneret Region, Luxor, Mosaics, Ophel, Saqqara, Sassanid, Synagogue, Syria, Temple, Tombs, Ugaritic

Posted By rachel on August 4, 2010

This week’s “Midweek Midrash” is from The Legends of the Jews by Louis Ginzberg (1909).

SETH AND HIS DESCENDANTS

The exhortations of the wives of Lamech took effect upon Adam. After a separation of one hundred and thirty years, he returned to Eve, and the love he now bore her was stronger by far than in the former time. She was in his thoughts even when she was not present to him bodily. The fruit of their reunion was Seth, who was destined to be the ancestor of the Messiah.

Seth was so formed from birth that the rite of circumcision could be dispensed with. He was thus one of the thirteen men born perfect in a way. Adam begot him in his likeness and image, different from Cain, who had not been in his likeness and image. Thus Seth became, in a genuine sense, the father of the human race, especially the father of the pious, while the depraved and godless are descended from Cain.

Even during the lifetime of Adam the descendants of Cain became exceedingly wicked, dying successively, one after another, each more wicked than the former. They were intolerable in war, and vehement in robberies, and if any one were slow to murder people, yet was he bold in his profligate behavior in acting unjustly and doing injury for gain.

Now as to Seth. When he was brought up, and came to those years in which he could discern what was good, he became a virtuous man, and as he was himself of excellent character, so he left children behind him who imitated his virtues. All these proved to be of good disposition. They also inhabited one and the same country without dissensions, and in a happy condition, without any misfortune’s falling upon them, until they died. They also were the inventors of that peculiar sort of wisdom which is concerned with the heavenly bodies and their order. And that their inventions might not be lost before they were sufficiently known, they made two pillars, upon Adam’s prediction that the world was to be destroyed at one time by the force of fire and at another time by the violence and quantity of water. The one was of brick, the other of stone, and they inscribed their discoveries on both, that in case the pillar of brick should be destroyed by the flood, the pillar of stone might remain, and exhibit these discoveries to mankind, and also inform them that there was another pillar, of brick, erected by them.

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Tags: Bereishit, Genesis, Judaism, Legends of the Jews, Louis Ginzberg, Midrash, Old Testament, Seth, Tanach, Tanakh, Torah