Introduction to Biblical Archaeology
•Download as PPT, PDF•
5 likes•3,361 views
This document provides an overview and introduction to a class on the Bible and archaeology. It discusses how archaeology can confirm, clarify, and complement the Bible. Specific examples are given, such as how the discovery of King Sargon's palace at Khorsabad confirmed the mention of Sargon in Isaiah 20:1. It also discusses how the Nuzi tablets found in modern-day Iraq clarified details in the stories of Jacob and Laban found in Genesis. The document encourages studying archaeology to increase biblical knowledge and defend the faith.
Recommended
More Related Content
What's hot
What's hot (20)
Viewers also liked
Viewers also liked (20)
Similar to Introduction to Biblical Archaeology
Similar to Introduction to Biblical Archaeology (20)
Recently uploaded
Recently uploaded (20)
Introduction to Biblical Archaeology
- 1. THE BIBLE AND ARCHAEOLOGY Session 1 Welcome
- 2. DOES THE ARCHAEOLOGIST LOOK LIKE IS THIS?
- 3. CAN YOU SAY?
- 4. IS THE ARCHAEOLOGIST YOU SEE LIKE THIS?
- 5. WHAT FIRST INTERESTED YOU IN ARCHAEOLOGY? Parents Schooling Siblings Reading the Bible Curiosity Early influences
- 7. DR DAVE REID Old Testament Emmaus Bible College Professor
- 8. HE LOVED THE BIBLE AND THE LAND OF THE BIBLE I would like to dedicated this Sunday School class to the memory and ministry of Dr. Dave Reid (April 2, 1937 - January 31, 2012)
- 9. INSTITUTE OF HOLY LAND STUDIES Jerusalem University College
- 10. Overview and Summary THE BIBLE AND ARCHAEOLOGY
- 11. WHY STUDY ARCHAEOLOGY? • Increase my knowledge in the Word of God • Build up or deepen my Faith • Curiosity • To solve a Biblical problem • Defend the Faith • Come up with Bible illustrations • Reconstruct the biblical background
- 12. WHAT IS ARCHAEOLOGY? • The word archaeology is strictly speaking “the study of ancient things” • “the study of past human life and activities by the examination of materials and artifacts of human civilization”
- 13. ARCHAEOLOGY TELLS OR ANCIENT MOUNDS •Tell or Tel - Josh 8:28 •Mound •Ancient Ruin Names of Ancient Cities that have been buried
- 14. MODERN DAY TELL OR ANCIENT RUIN
- 15. CROSS SECTION OF A TELL
- 16. WHAT IS THE VALUE OF ARCHAEOLOGY? 1. Archaeology confirms the Bible. 2. Archaeology clarifies the Bible. 3. Archaeology complements the Bible.
- 17. REASONS TO STUDY ARCHAEOLOGY Archaeology confirms the Bible.
- 18. ISAIAH 20:1 In the year that Tartan came unto Ashdod, (when Sargon the king of Assyria sent him,) and fought against Ashdod, and took it;
- 19. Paul Emile Botta French Archaeologist who discovered the fortress of Sargon in 1843 ARCHAEOLOGY CONFIRMS THE BIBLE
- 20. A ROYAL PALACE
- 23. WINGED LION FOUND IN KING SARGON’S PALACE
- 24. ARCHAEOLOGY CONFIRMS THE BIBLE King Sargon Isaiah 20:1
- 25. REASONS TO STUDY ARCHAEOLOGY Archaeology clarifies the Bible.
- 26. ARCHAEOLOGY CLARIFIES THE BIBLE Nuzi Tablets Genesis 29-31 The Story of Jacob and Laban
- 27. WHERE IS NUZI?
- 28. THE ANCIENT MOUND OF NUZI
- 29. WHAT ARE THE NUZI TABLETS? • Clay tablets • Inscribed by a pen (called a stylus) • Hardened by baking • Clay was used as the paper of Abraham’s time • Language was Hurrian or Babylonian written in Cuneiforms characters • Property deeds, lists and government documents
- 31. NUZI TABLETS CLARIFY LABAN/JACOB STORY • Jacob was adopted by Laban • Adoption meant rights to grandchildren • Teraphim where evidence in court to the right to property ownership • Natural children have more rights then adopted children • Teraphim even gave ownership to in-laws and adopted children
- 32. REASONS TO STUDY ARCHAEOLOGY Archaeology complements the Bible.
- 33. HOME OF ABRAHAM (Abram)
- 34. THE WORLD OF ABRAM (Abraham) (Circa 2000 BC) Ancient Ziggurat from Ur: the stairway to heaven to worship the moon goddess. Sumerian god and goddess join together around a sacred tree.
- 35. ARCHAEOLOGY COMPLEMENTS THE BIBLE Ur of old Babylonia worshipped the moon god Stele of Ur-Nammu (ca. 2200 BC), detail (cf. Frankfort) showing the crescent moon.
- 36. PROBLEMS IN ARCHAEOLOGY • Dating • Context of finds • Verification • Testing a hypothesis • Reconstruction of the past • Historical problems
- 37. GENESIS 12:16 “And he entreated Abram well for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and she asses, and camels.”
- 38. ONE HISTORICAL PROBLEM • Genesis 12:16 refers to Abraham bringing camels into Egypt • Lack of evidence referring to camels • It’s too early for camel domestication during Abraham’s time • Higher critics say that the earliest evidence for camels in Egypt is the Greek era (330 BC)
- 39. CAMELS AND ABRAHAM? Is the Bible wrong?
- 40. CAMELS AND ABRAHAM? Are the Critics Wrong?
- 41. WHAT IS THIS?
- 43. WHAT IS THE PLACE OF ARCHAEOLOGY? • Archaeology CANNOT prove the Bible. Spiritual truth is of such a nature that it cannot be proven or disproved by the material discoveries of archaeology. The truths of the Bible do not need proving; they are self-evident. • The net effect of archaeology has been to support the general trustworthiness and substantial historicity of the biblical tradition where data is available
- 44. ARCHAEOLOGY IMPROVES OUR UNDERSTANDING • Archaeology helps to place the Bible (an Oriental book) in its Near Eastern setting and thereby to improve the ability of the westerner to understand it. • This science provides much material that serves to confirm the Scripture.
- 45. ARCHAEOLOGY AND THE TEXT OF SCRIPTURE 1. Clarifies Scripture 2. Confirms Scripture 3. Complements Scripture
- 46. SILVER SCROLL: THE AARONIC BLESSING Numbers 6:24-26 May Yahweh bless you and keep you; May Yahweh cause his face to Shine upon you and grant you Peace
- 47. ARCHAEOLOGY HELPS US VALUE THE TRUE WORD OF LIFE • That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) 1 John 1:1-2
Editor's Notes
- Welcome Joke, cartoon or funny story Welcome Prayer Address some misconceptions or prejudices about archaeology ask for feedback from the audience
- TO MANY, an archaeologist is a morbid creature who enjoys poking around ancient ruins to discover dead men's bones, bits of pottery, weapons, or tools. Such an idea is far from the truth. Rather, he is something of a scientist, whether amateur or professional; and he interests himself in a study of dead things only as a means of learning about the life of an ancient people.
- Or maybe a combination of all three caricatures
- I got a book early probably about 1977 and this book made an indelible impression. Book synopsis-- A twelve-year-old boy in Israel on an archaeological dig with his parents learns the secret of an ancient cave from a mysterious Bedouin. Jeff was the first to notice the symbol on the ancient pottery sherd. The fish. Early Christians had scrawled it in sand or carved it in stone to identify themselves. And now his Arab friend Kerim was about to make that symbol come alive again. ''If you ever find somewhere a drawing of a fish -'' Kerim paused, unable to hide his fear. ''-you will know it is a sign from me that danger is near.'' Freelance writer BETTIE WILSON STORY's book THE OTHER SIDE OF THE TELL is based on her husband's experiences in Israel, where he worked as a member of an archeological team on the Tel Gezer dig. A story based on her husband's experiences in Israel, where he worked as a member of an archaeological team on the Tel Gezer dig.
- Dr. David R. Reid, whose academic background includes both engineering and theology, is a former faculty member at Emmaus Bible College for 28 years (1975-2003) in Dubuque, Iowa. He is the founder of Growing Christians Ministries, the author of the bi-monthly publication “Devotions for Growing Christians,” and the producer of the radio program “Talks for Growing Christians.” His other activities include Holy Land study tours and seminars on Biblical Hermeneutics and Christian Evidences. He authored 39 years of "Devotions for Growing Christians" and continues to be the Bible teacher for the radio program, "Talks for Growing Christians." He taught and recorded courses on Biblical Hermeneutics and Christian Evidences, and wrote course books on those subjects. Dr. Dave taught at churches, conferences, camps, retreats and home Bible studies, and led many in-depth study tours of Bible Lands. A life-long Bible student and athlete, he creatively initiated Bible study and fellowship activities: "Ski & Study," "Golf & Grow," and "Tennis & Tailgate Fellowship." He and his wife, Margie, are the parents of three married children, and have six grandchildren. Dr. Dave completed his earthly service for the Lord Jesus in January, 2012. "Well done, good and faithful servant! Enter into the your Master's joy!" Dr David Reid B.S., Glass and Ceramic Engineering at Rutgers University Ph.D. Glass and Ceramic Technology at Rutgers University M.T.S. New Testament Studies at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary Faculty Member at Emmaus Bible College from 1975-2003 Died January 31, 2012
- April 2nd, 1937 - January 31st, 2012
- The Old Bishop Gobat School where behind the school is the entrance to the Old MT Zion Protestant cemetary where there are a few notable Christians buried, William Matthew Flinders Petrie (1853–1942), British Egyptologist, Horatio Gates Spafford (1828–1888), US lawyer and hymnologist who wrote “It is well with my soul”.
- 6 weeks of Old Testament and 6 weeks of New Testament 1. "I do not believe that the Bible is true, because it makes some serious mistakes. For example, Isaiah 20:1 mentions Sargon as a king of Assyria. But his name has not been found in any other historical records. Therefore he may not have even existed. The Bible was wrong in mentioning this fictitious name. " 2. "The Bible is unreliable because it refers to Abraham having camels in Egypt about 2,000 B.C. Camels were not known in Egypt till long after Abraham's time. Furthermore, how do we know that Egyptians even allowed strangers in their land at Abraham's time?" 3. "The Bible is very difficult to understand. For example, in Genesis 31:43 Laban tells Jacob, his son-in-law, that Jacob's children belong to Laban. This must be an error in the Bible. Surely no grandfather would say that his grandchildren belong to him rather than to their own father."
- The word archaeology means literally "a study of ancient things," but the term has come to signify much more than that. Usually it applies to a study of excavated materials belonging to a former era. And in line with the purpose of this book, which is to discuss Bible archaeology, we may define it as an examination of ancient things which have been lost and found again, as those recovered objects relate to the study of Scripture and the portrayal of life in Bible times. In endeavoring to reconstruct the past of ancient peoples, the archaeologist will seek first to understand their environment. Geographical, geological, and climactic factors will loom large in a consideration of this nature. He will try to answer such questions as was their life affected by nearness to great trade routes on land or sea ? Was the nation protected by natural barriers or were they sources of inconvenience or disunity? Were natural resources abundant or scarce, and what kinds were available? What bearing did the climate of the area have upon water supply, clothing, or diet? Secondly, the archaeologist must find out about the people themselves. The types of houses they built, the forms of government or social organization they constructed, the religious practices in which they engaged, the tools they used, the art they portrayed, and by interpretation of material finds, the very outlook on life which they possessed—are all included in a well-rounded discussion of a people of another era.
- Three illustrations First Archaeology confirms the Bible. Turn with me to Isaiah 20:1
- Botta was an Italian and selected to be naturalist just like Darwin. Later the French Government appointed Consul at Mosul in 1841-2 which was then part of the Ottoman empire where he uncovered the fortress. He certainly wasn’t looking for King Sargon. He was looking for ancient Nineveh. The Sargon fortress covered 16 acres and had walls between 9 and 16 feet thick Isaiah 20:1
- The palace of Sargon, reconstructed on the basis of the excavations. Until a century ago Sargon’s existence was often doubted—up to that time his name only appeared once in all records, and that in a parenthetic remark in the Bible (Isa 20:1). In the middle of the nineteenth century Sargon’s palace at Khorsabad, about twelve miles north of ancient Nineveh, was discovered. No longer was there any doubt of his existence.
- This stone winged bull from the palace of Sargon, originally carved from a single block of stone is 16 feet long and 16 feet high and weighs 40 tons. Similar winged bulls flanked the portal leading from the courtyard to the throne room.
- In 1843 Paul Emile Botta
- Picture of one of the Nuzi tablets from the British Museum about 4000 tablets recovered from Nuzi "The adoption tablet of Nashwi son of Arshenni. He adopted Wullu son of Puhishenni. As long as Nashwi lives, Wullu shall give (him) food and cloth-ing. When Nashwi dies, Wullu shall be the heir. Should Nashwi beget a son, (the latter) shall divide equally with Wullu but (only) Nashwi's son shall take Nashwi's gods. But if there be no son of Nashwi's, then Wullu shall take Nashwi's gods. And (Nashwi) has given his daughter Nuhuya as wife to Wullu. And if Wullu takes another wife, he forfeits Nashwi's land and buildings. Whoever breaks the contract shall pay one mina of silver (and) one mina of gold."
- While tablets from Nuzi began appearing back as far as 1896, the first serious archaeological efforts began in 1925 after Gertrude Bell noticed tablets appearing in the markets of Baghdad. The dig was mainly worked by Edward Chiera, Robert Pfeiffer, and Richard Starr under the auspices of the Iraq Museum and the Baghdad School of the American Schools of Oriental Research and later the Harvard University and Fogg Art Museum.[2][3][4] Excavations continued through 1931. The site has 15 occupation levels. The hundreds of tablets and other finds recovered were published in a series of volumes. More finds continue to be published to this day.[5]
- Notice the shape and distinctive shape of the mound
- Helpful supplementary information about customs, cultures, cities, religions, writings, etc.. , are provided by archaeology.
- In closing
- Primitive Art in Egypt by Jean Capart 1905 dated to 3000 BC Free finds considerable evidence for the knowledge and use of camels in Egypt long before Abraham—whenever he might be dated. For instance, about 1935 a skull of a camel was found in the Fayum of Egypt (an oasis area southwest of Cairo), dating 2000-1400 B.C. Miss Caton-Thompson found a camel's hair rope in the Fayum during the 1927-28 season of excavation and dated it to the Old Kingdom (c. 2500 B.C.). Three pottery camel heads dating to about 3000 B.C. have also been excavated in Egypt. These are only a few of the evidences of the early use of the camel in Egypt that Free presents. In all, he describes the following evidence from the pre-Christian era: one item from the seventh century, one from the ninth, two from the thirteenth, one from the fifteenth, one from the sixteenth, two from the period between the fifteenth and twentieth centuries, one from the twenty-third, several from the twenty-fifth, four from the first dynasty (c. 3000 B.C.) and four from the predynastic period.19 So we have abundant objective evidence provided by archaeological investigation to confirm another assertion of Scripture that has been commonly assailed by the critics.
- Gabriel Barkay discovered these in 1979-1980 in a tomb near St. Andrews Church as seen from the Hinnom Valley in Jerusalem. The Iron Age tomb where the silver scrolls were found is located in the rock outcrop in front of the church. Pre-exilic date of the Silver scroll 700-600 BC
- We are tactile people and need physical things to bolster our faith and the writers of Scripture recognized this.