The two thieves are not named in the Bible. However an apocryphal book, The Book of Nicodemus, which Bible scholars date to the fourth century AD on the Biblical timeline names the repentant or good thief Dysmas or Dismas and the thief who mocks Jesus is named Gestas.
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‘Crucifixion by Hans von Tübingen showing the good thief on the right side of Christ, and the impenitent thief on the left side of Christ with a devil. Others portrayed are the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint John, and the three Marys (Mary Cleophas, Mary Salome and Mary Magdalene).
The Holy Grail is supposedly the cup or dish Christ used at the Last Supper that was later used by Joseph of Arimathea to catch Christ’s blood as he hung on the cross. It is mythical and not accepted as true by any church. The stories about it were written between 1170 AD and 1240 AD. Most are in French although some are in English and German. They are a part of the legends of King Arthur. It’s supposed to have miraculous properties and people have to be spiritually mature to partake of its grace. You can see where it gets a little off track from true Christian teachings.
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It’s like the stories of the “three wise men.” They’re entertaining but have nothing to do with the Bible which doesn’t mention the number of wise men or any details other than the short visit with Herod and the gifts brought. The same with the Holy Grail. We know Christ used a cup at the last supper and no more.You can read more about the legends here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Grail and here http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06719a.htm
I was simply wondering where Mary Magdelene was introduced in the Bible. I would also love to know what you think about the hype that she and Jesus had more of a connection than the church led/leads on. But that is a secondary question, so if you do not have time/effort, my real question is where was she introduced.
Thank you very much
Lincoln A
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Mary Magdalene is first mentioned in the writings of the Bible in Matthew 27:56. On a timeline of Biblical events she is mentioned in Luke 8:2 as one of the women who “ministered unto him of their substance.”
What about all these guesses that she was actually the woman adulterer who washed Christ with her tears, that she married him, that she is the sister of Lazarus?
Christ delivered her from evil spirits; seven devils went out of her. She, with others, gave financial support to Jesus out of gratitude (Luke 8: 2-4)
She was with Christ as he suffered on the cross. (John 19:25)
She remained by the cross till the end and waited till the body was taken down and placed in the garden sepulchre of Joseph of Arimathaea, (Matthew 27:61; Mark 15:47; Luke 23:55)
With Salome and Mary the mother of James, she “bought sweet spices that they might come and anoint” the body. (Mark 16:1)
She was with Mary the mother of James at the sepulchre early the next morning (Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:2)
Mary Magdalene had been to the tomb, found it empty, and saw the angels who explained that he was not there. (Matthew 28:5; Mark 16:6)
Jesus appeared to her first after his resurrection. (John 20:14,15)
In each of the cases above the writer makes clear, he is writing of Mary Magdalene. Nowhere is her name used to suggest that she was the repentant sinner, married to Jesus or the sister of Lazarus. Just as there are many Jennifers, Heathers and other common female names today so were there many Marys in the Bible.
How long was a year in Bible days? For example, was Methuselah really 969 years old as in 365 days times 969, or did their years have fewer or more days than ours today?
Thanks! Lyne Hitt
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There is such insignificant change in the earth’s spin and revolution that the times and seasons have remained the same for the last 6000 years: 24 hour days and 365 1/4 day years ( based on revolutions around the sun and revolutions of the earth.) That would mean Methuselah did live 969 of our years. You might enjoy this information from Tom Whiting on the astronomical earth year.
“I know the spin rate (one day) is slowing down due to the gravitational effects of the moon…..about 3 millionths of a second per year (65 million years ago, the dinosaurs had a 20 hour day)….but I’ve never read where our speed around the sun has changed over the millennia.
‘The flow of sand in an hourglass can be used to keep track of elapsed time. It also concretely represents the present as being between the past and the future.’
In fact, I would assume that as we spiral in closer to the sun (very slowly) we would actually speed up, thus a slightly shorter length of the year. But then again, the sun is continuously losing mass through the fusion process to produce energy, so that would allow the Earth (and all the planets) to drift outward slowly, thus lengthening the orbital (yearly) time period. Perhaps the two effects offset each other, because I’ve read nothing about the “year” growing longer (or shorter) as the centuries and millennia go by. But if it has, it certainly is not measurable in our lifetimes, and it would probably affect our calendar by only one day every few million years. “
From the Hebrew origin which means “man of God”, the name Methusael was given by his father, Mehujael. Methusael is Cain‘s fourth generation (Genesis 4:18 KJV).
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Methusael is the father of Lamech. Let us not confuse ourselves with Lamech, son of Methusael from Cain’s lineage and Lamech, son Methuselah from Seth‘s lineage. They are different individuals. There are no ages or lengths of life given for Cain or any of his descendants. Those named are placed on the Biblical Timeline chart in order between 4004 BC, which is Adam‘s creation, and the Great Flood (2350 BC).
Mehujael is the son of Irad or great grandson of Cain (Genesis 4:18 KJV).
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Mehujael came from Hebrew origin that may mean “smitten” or “destroy”. Some take this as “smitten by God” or “destroyed by God”.
The name Mehujael came from Hebrew origin that may mean “smitten” or “destroy”. Some take this as “smitten by God” or “destroyed by God”.
The Bible Timeline reads that the existence of Mehujael is years after his father, Irad, was born. There are no ages or lengths of life given for Cain or any of his descendants. Those named are placed in order between 4004 BC, which is Adam‘s creation, and the Great Flood (2350 BC).
The name Irad came from two combined Hebrew words that suggest the meaning, “runner” or “fugitive”. Irad is the son of Enoch and grandson of Cain (Genesis 4:18 KJV).
Irad means fugitive or runner
Unlike Seth‘s descendants, the Bible does not specify when Cain’s descendants were born or died. However, we know and can place them on the Bible Timeline Chart after Adam‘s creation (4004 BC) and before the great flood (2350 BC.)
Phoenicia and it’s Historical – Biblical Significance
Where is Phoenicia?
Phoenicia, from the Greek word phoinix, “a palm”, the land of palm-trees, was an ancient civilization centered in the north of ancient Canaan. With its heartland along the coastal regions of modern day Lebanon, coastal Syria, and northern Israel. Date-palm abundantly grew in the region opposite Cyprus, from Gabala (city of Gebal) to Aradus and Marathus. And so the name Phoenicia was first applied to these areas that later expanded to further South as date-palm was also found growing there. It was from 1200 BC (where is can be found on the Biblical Timeline with world history)that Phoenician cities emerged as sovereign bodies with apparent identity – Aradus, Byblos, Berytus, Sidon, Sarepta and Tyre, were situated along the coastal strip between sea and mountains of Lebanon. Moreover, there were two great cities of Phoenicia: Tyre, the center of the purple dye industry and Sidon, the center of the glass industry.
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* Acts 11:19; 15:3; 21:2 – the land being generally designated as the “coast” * Matthew 15:21; Mark 7:24, 31, Luke 6:17 – “borders of Tyre and Sidon” *Genesis 10:19; 49:13; Josh 11:8; 1 Kings 17:9 – the land belonging to the Canaanites or to Sidon
What was the role of Phoenicians in the Bible?
Alphabet (Psalm 119). Perhaps the most significant contribution of the Phoenicians was a syllabic writing, developed in about 1000 BC at Byblos. From this city’s name come the Greek word “biblia” (books) and the English word Bible. Hebrew alphabet known as “Ketav Ivri or Paleo-Hebrew” was nearly identical to the Phoenician alphabet. Biblical Hebrew contains 22 letters (all of which are consonants), as noted in Psalm 119. This form of writing was spread by the Phoenicians in their travels and influenced the Aramaic and Greek alphabets. (from http://history-world.org/phoenicians.htm)
Phoenician trade connected with the Israelites (2 Samuel 5:11, 1 Kings 5:9, 1 Kings 17-18). From the time that David had conquered Edom, an opening for trade was afforded to the Israelites. Solomon continued this trade with its king, obtained timber from its territory and employed its sailors and workmen.
Commerce
(Ezekiel 27:3 – 4). Trade routes from all Asia converged on the Phoenician coast, entry point to the sea, where Phoenicians were the greatest merchants of the entire Mediterranean world. Preparations for Building the Temple (1 Kings 5:6) and Temple’s Furnishings (1 Kings 7:21-23). King Hiram rendered important service to Solomon in connection with the planning and building of the temple. Massive Masonry (1 Kings 5:17 – 18). Huge carved stones, forming the sanctuary wall’s foundation, with Phoenician fragments of pottery. And Phoenician marks painted on the massive blocks found by the Royal Engineers suggest that the stones were prepared in the quarry by the cunning workmen of Hiram, the king of Tyre. (Eastons Bible Dictionary: Phenicia).
Hebrew Bible. Nahor means a Snort or a Snorting (Job 39:20, Jeremiah 8:6, Job 41:12) and Charred or Scorched (Psalm 69:3, Jeremiah 6:29 and Ezekiel 15:4 ) Book of Genesis. Nahor is the son of Serug.
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He was born and raised in the Sumerian capital-state of Ur on the Euphrates River of lower Mesopotamia. He had a son named Terah at the age of twenty-nine and lived for a total of 148 years. He was also the grandfather of Abraham, Nahor II as well as Haran, all offspring of Shem. He is placed on the Biblical Timeline at 2155 BC.
Hebrew: S’rugh ; “branch” was the son of Reu, also the father of Nahor and great-grandfather of Abraham. He is called Saruch in the Greek version.
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According to the Bible Timeline Chart, Serug was born in 2185 BC at the City of Ur. His parent was Reu, and his son was named Nahor. When Serug had lived thirty years, he became the father of Nahor. He then lived another 200 years for a total of 230 years.
Serug in the Bible:
– Genesis 11:20-23; 1 Chronicles 1:26. An ancestor of Abraham
– Luke 3:35. Called Saruch
