Bible Timeline – Page 17 – Amazing Bible Timeline with World History

Posted on June 20, 2012July 15, 2016 by Margaret Hunter — Leave a comment

Ionian and Dorian Colonies

The Ionian and Dorian Colonies were settled by two different ethnic groups from Greece. These two ethnic groups were divided up by their language and specific cultural characteristics, but they were both considered Greek. Some Ionian and Dorian colonies had similar languages even though they shared different cultures. There are many historical accounts of these particular Greek colonies. They appear on the Bible Timeline with World History starting in 1000 BC.
The Dorian was mentioned in Homer‘s Odyssey, and they lived on the island of Crete. The Ionians also inhabited parts of Greece as well, and their history is recorded in the Mycenaean Greek records that were also found on the Isle of Crete. Historical records claim that many Dorian Greeks primarily settled into the southern part of Europe primarily in Italy and in some instances as far as Iberia or modern day Spain. Ionians largely settled areas that are now located in modern-day Turkey, and they supposedly had made contact with people as far as India. The Dorian also set up colonies and city-states in the Middle East and southern Asia.

The location of ancient Ionia on the coast of modern-day Turkey.

A well known Greek historian named Herodotus was a Dorian Greek, who claimed that the original home of his people was located in north-central Greece. Herodotus named Macedon, Phthia and Histiaea as Dorian states. Some Egyptologists claim that the Dorian also made up a large portion of the Sea Peoples who invaded the Mesopotamian area and Egypt.
Many of the Dorian and Ionian people were supposed to have settled these colonies from migrations that occurred during the 6th century BC. Many of the Dorian people were also said to have been seafarers and established city states all throughout the Mediterranean area. Not all Dorian and Ionian colonies were the same, and many of them had developed individual and unique ways of life which reflected their environment and individual culture. Some of the Dorian and Ionian colonies were warlike, expansionists and aggressive while others were more settled and focused on learning, trade and the worship.
Many of the colonies founded by the Ionian and Dorian had helped to transport Greek culture around the world. They didn’t influence the world with Greek thought and language until the time of Alexander the Great or the Hellenistic era. By this time the Dorian and Ionian were not significant as individual tribes or city-states. Greek culture as a whole had emerged during this time. Biblical and secular scholars have linked the Ionian with one of Noah’s sons Japheth. Since Noah and his three sons and their wives were the only humans to have survived the flood. Javan was a son of Japheth also called Ion and is supposed to have been the father of the Ionians. The Dorian was supposed to have their origins in mythology.
The Ionian alphabet was used as a part of the standard Greek language during the New Testament era, and the writings were scripted with this language. Some modern day people from Greece still distinguish between Dorian and Ionian language and culture even though the whole country speaks the Greek language.

References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ionia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dorians
http://tjbuggey.ancients.info/colonies.html
http://books.google.com/books?id=DDxIwQEomhkC&pg=PA113&lpg=PA113&dq=Ionian+and+Dorian+colonies&source=bl&ots=2HyyaF_I8j&sig=Z_MWq2VWKtpZFO-ZdrP
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ionians

Posted on June 10, 2012March 29, 2016 by Margaret Hunter — 24 Comments

Joseph In Egypt

Joseph was an important biblical figure in the history of the Jewish people. God used his life to preserving the Israelites from a devastating famine that had spread throughout the land of Israel. Joseph was an important Egyptian official who was given the responsibility of storing and distributing food to people who were in need. Joseph was not only an important government official he was also a worshipper of God and his life was dedicated to this end. Joseph’s name means to “add to” or to increase or double. His life was a testimony to this definition. He appears on the Bible Timeline circa 1750 BC.

Joseph’s story began in Genesis 30 when he was born to Jacob and Rachel. In Genesis 30:22 God remembers Rachel’s prayers. She had been praying for a child of her own to give to Jacob because she was not able to conceive. Jacob had children with her sister Leah (see Genesis 29), and Rachel became jealous. She eventually had Joseph and stated that God had removed her disgrace (Genesis 30:23). In verse 24 she says, “May the Lord add to me another son” and this meaning is attributed to Joseph’s name.

Genesis 37 tells the story of Joseph’s early years and how Jacob favored him over his brothers. Joseph also told Jacob whenever his brothers did wrong and when Jacob made Joseph a special coat his brothers would not speak a kind word to him. In Genesis 37:5-7 Joseph tells his brothers about a dream where they would they bow down to him, and this dream infuriated them. Eventually, Joseph brothers took Joseph and threw him into a cistern (or well) and sold him into slavery. The slavers took him to Egypt where he ended up in the service to an Egyptian official named Potiphar.

Joseph eventually learned the Egyptian culture, customs, and language while he served under Potiphar. God was with him during this period of his life and eventually was placed in a leadership position within his home. Potiphar’s wife wanted Joseph because he was a handsome man, but he refused her advances. She lied and had him arrested for attempted rape. Joseph spent many years in jail where he was placed in charge of the prison because God was with him once again. Whatever Joseph did in Potiphar’s house and the prison was blessed by God. He “added to” the organization and efficiency of the operations of these places.

Eventually, the pharaoh’s cupbearer and baker ended up in prison, and Joseph interpreted their dreams. The Baker lost his life but the cupbearer was spared and though he forgot Joseph he eventually remembered him when Pharaoh had a troubling dream. Joseph was taken from prison to interpret pharaoh’s dream, and he warned him about an impending famine. He also told the Pharaoh what he must do to avoid disaster. His advice was well received, and Pharaoh made him second in charge over all of Egypt. These events take place in Genesis 41.

Joseph had increased the holdings of Pharaoh’s grains during the prosperous period before the famine. Once the famine had arrived, there was more than enough food stored away to feed many people. Soon, his brothers and fellow countrymen came to Egypt looking for food (Genesis 42).

Joseph hadn’t seen them in many years, and he reconciled with them. He realized over time that God had used them so that he could gain the position that he held for second in command over Egypt. Through Joseph’s efforts, knowledge and faith in God he was able to increase the Egyptian’s food while preserving the Israelites and the Egyptians (Genesis 45:5-7). Once again, Joseph’s life was a living testimony about the meaning of his name.

References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tissot_Joseph_and_His_Brethren_Welcomed_by_Pharaoh.jpg

Posted on May 31, 2012September 22, 2015 by Margaret Hunter — Leave a comment

Ramses III Wars With Sea People

Many people would probably never associate the Egyptians as a culture that relied on a Navy as a part of their military forces. One reason for this has to do with the fact that Egypt is usually associated with the desert and barren lands. Egyptian sea men were rated as some of the poorest sailors in the Mesopotamian region.

The truth is that Egypt did have a fairly decent naval force that was used for military and economic activities. In fact, the war with the Sea Peoples occurred around 1100 BC which is where it is found on the Bible Timeline with World History. During the reign of Ramses III, the Middle East was in an upheaval and many kingdoms were going through significant changes.

Rameses_III,Egyptian_Pharoah — Relief from the Sanctuary of Khonsu Temple depicting Ramesses III

Relief from the Sanctuary of Khonsu Temple depicting Ramesses III

It was around 1100 B.C., and the Libyans were starting to revolt once again. Added to this problem was the fact that there were a lot of unhappy people near the Delta region of Egypt who was also ready to revolt. Many of them were losing their homes because of invading foreign culture known as the sea peoples. Egypt put down the Libyan revolt, and Ramses turned his attention toward the sea people.

These individuals were marching hard against Egypt to destroy the empire. They had conquered and beaten many armies all over the Middle East and historians claimed that they had managed to wipe out the Hittites. The sea people were now sending a large force over land and by sea to complete the destruction of Egypt. Ramses had placed his navy at the mouth of the Nile within the Delta region. As the sea peoples tried to enter into the Nile from Mesopotamia they met a hail of arrows from archers posted on ships and land. They also had to encounter the Egyptian Navy, who used their ships to pull enemy vessels into their clutches. Once they pulled the boats close to their own, the Egyptian sailors bordered the enemy ships and killed its sailors in hand to hand combat.

Once the sea peoples were defeated, they were made subjects to Ramses III. Ramses battles with the sea peoples weakened the kingdom and to make matters worse one of his wives, known as Tiye, had participated in a plot to kill him so she could place her son on the throne. Ultimately she accomplished her objective even though she was killed for being a part of this scheme. Even though Ramses had used Egypt’s naval forces to hold back the invaders their forces would not have been able to withstand repeated assaults.

Eventually, Ramses had to let go of many Asian territories before he died. He could no longer afford to keep garrisons in those lands, and he didn’t have the manpower to keep effectively control. After Ramses III death, Egypt officially went into decline. The leaders could no longer govern their country, and the land began to be dominated by other empires that were on the rise. Ramses naval battles were not that extensive, but the battles that he did fight were of important. They allowed the Empire of Egypt a few more years of glory before it finally came to an end.

References:
http://www.navy.gov.au/Publication:Foundations_of_International_Thinking_on_Sea_Power_No._1 http://www.eyelid.co.uk/k-q7.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramesses_III http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:RamessesIII-KhonsuTemple-Karnak.png

Posted on May 29, 2012September 29, 2015 by Margaret Hunter — Leave a comment

Thebes, Temples At

The ancient Egyptians were a polytheistic culture like most ancient cultures and one way that they revered and honored these deities was by worshipping them at their historical temples. During the New Kingdom Era within Egypt, Pharaohs Tuthmosis, Amenhotep and Rameses had expanded the temple complex at Luxor and Karnak. Rameses is supposed to have been the greatest pharaoh of all the Egyptian dynasties and his expansion efforts on the temples were supposed to have been the best. People within ancient Egypt worshiped their gods at both of these complexes. Karnak was located at Thebes, and this ancient city was once a very important part of the Egyptian kingdom. The reference to the temples at Thebes is located on the Bible Timeline during the 12th century BC.

Many people came from all over the kingdom to pay homage to gods such as Ra, Amun, Mut, and Montu. In ancient times, Thebes was also considered the city of Amon. Ipet-isut was the area of Karnak that was first developed for worship and their area was also called the Temple of Amon Ra. In time, the complex was expanded to contain four more sections. The Precinct of Mut, the Precinct of Montu and the Temple of Amenhotep. Other temples were also included in the complex that was built for the goddesses and sanctuaries were built around the four walls of the complex.

The temples of Luxor were also located inside of ancient Thebes, and they too had temples that were designed to worship the many gods that were a part of the Egyptian’s lives. The two temple areas at Thebes were an extremely important part of a pharaoh’s rule. People viewed the pharaoh as a living deity who was a connection with the ancient Gods. The Pharaoh had many priests that aided him in performing the ceremonies and giving worship to the gods.

The religious center at ancient Thebes was regarded as the most important center for worship during ancient times. According to historians and Egyptian scholars, this temple complex could be compared to the Catholic Church’s Vatican City. Many people from all over the Middle East and Mesopotamian region came far and wide to worship at and visit the temple complexes.

The temple complexes within Thebes were built over 3000 years. A pharaoh from each generation continued to build and increase the size of the temple areas during the time of their rule. Many of the pharaohs that added onto the temple also engraved images of themselves within the complexes. The temples were also used to record battle victories by Egyptian Pharaohs during their many battles. They also had many different pictures and hieroglyphs about their gods inscribed on the walls and surrounding structures. Massive temples were constructed for each god, and the most famous of these temples was Hypostyle Hall.

Most of the structures in the temple complexes are nothing more than remains. Many of them were destroyed by successive invasions by foreign powers throughout the history of Egypt. Modern day Luxor is now the site where the city once stood, and they are now used as a tourist attraction to generate income for modern day Egypt.

References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Hypostyle_Hall,_Karnak
http://www.culturefocus.com/egypt_thebes.htm
http://www.ancient-wisdom.co.uk/egyptkarnak.htm

Posted on May 21, 2012September 30, 2015 by Margaret Hunter — Leave a comment

Tou and the Bible, King

King Tou sent his son, Prince Hadoram, to find out how David was doing and to pay him tribute for his victories. He also sent him praises for the victory he had over Zobah. He appears on the Bible Timeline between 1050BC and 1090 BC. Scripture indicates that Hadarezer was the enemy of Hamath and apparently they couldn’t defeat the armies of Zobah. Once King David was able to beat them in battle, King Tou was elated.
King Tou first appears in 2 Samuel 8:9-10 and 1 Chronicles 18:9-10. In both passages of scripture, David is aided by God in his conquest of the nations that have constantly been a problem to Israel. Some of these nations included the Philistines, the Moabites and the Armeans.

David had many battles against the Armeans and in 2 Samuel 8 he had to defeat them when the Ammonites used them in their war against Israel. This time, the Armeans came to the aid of Zobah, but they were defeated by The Israelites. Once he defeated the Armeans he set up garrisons inside of their territory to keep them under control, and they were never considered a real problem against Israel during the rest of his reign.

Tou, Ancient_King_of_Hamath — Euphrates River

King Hadarezer set up a monument at the Euphrates River. King Tou wanted to regain control over this region. He attempted to do this by placing a statue of a god or himself within the region of the Euphrates. King David didn’t allow him to gain control over the area.
King Tou had sent King David silver, gold and bronze items as a form of tribute. These articles were taken by King David and offered to the Lord for his victories. When tribute was offered to God, it was usually placed the treasure within a temple dedicated to God. The Lord was with King David during this period in his life, and this is one reason so many of his enemies were subdued by him. After King David defeated all of these nations, people far and wide probably feared and respected him.

King David’s victories could also be compared to the Israelites victories under Joshua when they were defeating various nations once they arrived in Canaan. In 2 Samuel 7 God had just promised King David that one of his descendants would forever remain on the throne of Israel. God was extremely pleased with King David’s request to build him a temple. Though he didn’t allow King David to construct the building he was glad that he made the request. This event happened shortly before King David’s victories in 2 Samuel 8 and 1 Chronicles 18. Ultimately, King Hadarezer’s defeat was the result of Gods favor on King David and Israel.

King Tou and Bible References

1 Chronicles 18: 9-10 King Tou sends David tribute and praises for defeating King Hadarezer of Hamath.
2 Samuel 8: 9-10 King Tou sends David tribute for his victories over the other nations and for defeating the King of Hamath.

References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tou
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20samuel%208&version=NIV
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Chronicles+18&version=NIV
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Zalabiya,Euphrat.jpg

Posted on May 11, 2012March 29, 2016 by Margaret Hunter — 3 Comments

Eli A Judge In Israel

Eli is found on the Bible Timeline beginning at 1252 BC Eli was a priest in Israel, and when he is introduced into the Bible, he assures a childless woman named Hannah that she will have a baby. Hannah is one of two wives of Elkanah, and she is not able to bear children. Elkanah’s other wife Peninnah constantly harasses Hannah about not being able to have children. Hannah goes to the temple to pray about this dilemma, and Eli assures her that God will grant her request.

Hannah Giving Her Son Samuel to the Priest

After Hannah has her firstborn child, she names him Samuel and leaves him to the care of Eli. Samuel is raised up by Eli and becomes a prophet and a judge of Israel. During Eli’s lifetime, he judged Israel for forty years. Before he died, he had two sons named Hophni and Phinehas. The Bible states that these two sons didn’t know God, but they were the sons of Belial. In other words, Eli son’s worshipped the devil while serving as God’s priests in God’s temple. They had sex with the servant girls of the temple, and they took meat from the people that was meant to be used for sacrifice. They also forced the people to give them good meat for the sacrifices and if the people didn’t listen they threatened to hurt them. Many people didn’t want to go to the temple to make offerings to the Lord because of their deeds. God was mad at Eli for not stopping his sons from doing this wicked behavior.

Apparently Eli could have stopped his boys but he did nothing to keep them from sinning. God also claims that Eli allowed his sons to take the best meat for all of their benefits. God was angry with him. God then judges Eli by not allowing any of his male offspring to grow old, and they will be placed in subservient positions to priests from other lines. God’s judgment is severe because the duties of the priests are extremely important with helping to keep the people free from sin and for living a holy life. The time has passed, and the Philistines have attacked the land of Israel and during the battle Phinehas and Hophni are killed. When Eli hears this news, he falls back on his neck and is killed. The Bible states that Eli had become a very large man over the years, and when he fell back he broke his neck. This seems to be a bit of an irony from the Lord about Eli and his over-indulgence of the meat that he had taken from the temple. Eli’s rule over Israel wasn’t the best, but he wasn’t discredited as a bad judge either.

Bible References to Eli

Exodus 28 and 29 The tribe of Levi is chosen by God to become a priest for all of Israel. (28:1) Aaron receives his anointing to become the first high priest of Israel.
1 Samuel 1, 2: 1-11 tells the story of Hannah and how Eli assures her that God will fulfill her request.
1 Samuel 1:25 Eli receives Samuel from Hannah so he could raise him up for God’s service.
1 Samuel 2:12-17 tells about Eli’s wicked sons Hophni and Phinehas.
1 Samuel 2:27-36 Elis and his family are Judged by God.
1 Samuel 4:16-18 Eli hears about the death of his sons and falls over backwards and dies. He judges Israel for forty years.

References:
http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/112391/jewish/Eli-The-High-Priest.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aaron http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ithamar http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eli_(Bible) http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Samuel%204&version=KJ21 http://www.prca.org/sermons/1samuel2.27-36.html http://www.blueletterbible.org/search/translationResults.cfm?criteria=eli&page=1&t=KJV http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hannah_VICTORS,_Jan.jpg

Posted on May 7, 2012October 4, 2017 by Margaret Hunter — 1 Comment

Rome With References, Founding of

Most of the more accurate information on the founding of Rome is based on archaeological findings along with recordings from writers of ancient times such as Herodotus and Livy. Myth, legend, established notions, and educational guesses dominate the information on the history of Rome. This creates a plethora of facts and fiction. The founding of Rome is placed on the Bible Timeline with it’s earliest settlements during the Bronze age and the formal founding of Rome at 753 BC

The Peoples of Early Rome

Archaeological findings indicate that there were two closely related inhabitants in the area during its earliest years of habitation. These were the tribal agrarian Italic peoples in the form of the Latins and the Sabines. Both tribes dominated the early Romanian form of government through a hierarchy that existed throughout the city’s rise to dominance in the region.

Facts and Fictions Surrounding the Founding of Rome

Evidence of an early settlement in the region of Latium (this includes Rome) dates back to the Bronze Age (1500 BC). But indications of these findings are that a more established and permanent type of settlement began in 8th century BC. Archaeological findings from the early settlements of Palatine Hill indicate there was a habitation of that place from as early as 750 BC. There is an established legend that Rome was founded on April 21 753 BC. There is an evidently close collaboration in the dateline between the archaeological findings and this established legend.

Rome,_Founding_of — Aeneas’ Flight from Troy

In 8th century BC, the two existing settlements of Palatine Hill and Quirinal came together to establish a single village. This move corresponds with the date of 753 BC given by the legend. Legend also has it that the Romans origins are linked to Aeneas the son of Venus, who was an escapee from the sacking of Troy during a war between that nation and the Greeks. Aeneas is said to have fled to Italy where he established a monarchy through his son lulus (otherwise known as Julius) after founding of Alba Longa. Roman legends tell tales of what ensued during the reign of Aeneas and other subsequent kings of Alba Longa leading up to the founding of Rome.

The Actual Founding of Rome

Rome was founded by twins Romulus and Remus, brothers who were direct descendants of the Kings of Alba Longa. The story surrounding these twins is told in the famous Roman myth of Romulus and Remus. Romulus became the first and sole King of Rome after a quarrel between the two brothers concerning on which hill the city was to be established, led to Remus’murder. Romulus’ rise to this status (King of Rome) and the founding of Rome was traditionally celebrated on April 21, 753 BC. This was celebrated as the festival of Parilia, the hill on which Romulus decided the city was to be established. That celebration continues today with an array of festivals and parades. The early Romans in the centuries before Christ are known to have referred to Rome as the City of Seven Hills. Rome takes its name from its first King, Romulus.

Rome’s rise to power was largely supported by their neighbors to the north, the Etruscans. These people assisted Romulus and Rome in their conquests as they were wary of a Latin city to their south that was growing in both power and influence. The Etruscans, with the passage of time, would come to strategically replace Romulus and the Latin Kings with their own Kings.

References:
http://www.roman-empire.net/founding/found-index.html
http://www.unrv.com/empire/founding.php
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Founding_of_Rome
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Aeneas%27_Flight_from_Troy_by_Federico_Barocci.jpg

Posted on May 1, 2012September 23, 2015 by Margaret Hunter — 7 Comments

Samson A Judge In Israel

Samson is known as the strongest man to have walked the earth. Bible history points to Samson as the 15th judge of Israel, and that he reigned as a judge for as much as 20 years. He is found on the Bible Timeline between 1154BC and 1124BC. Samson is a Hebrew name that translates: “Strong, distinguished.” One of the main highlights of Samson’s life was his involvement with the Philistine woman Delilah that translates as “languishing trouble.”

Samson as a Judge

Samson may have been considered the most famous of the judges to have been appointed to Israel. He is also considered to be the most unusual with his unorthodox, and many times law-breaking ways of getting things done. The very nature of the tool with which Samson was blessed to deliver Israel (his strength) made him different and set him apart from other judges who led Israel. Samson was to single-handedly defeat the Philistines as opposed to using an army. Samson’s weakness was his love for Philistine women and his love for Delilah was to be his undoing. In spite of the many warnings that God gave him, Samson would allow the Philistine women to influence to sin over and over.

The Role of Samson’s Parents

Samson the Nazarite came from the tribe of Dan. He was born in a small town called Zorah close to the place inhabited by the Philistines. He was born to Manoah and his childless wife who one day had a visit from an angel. The angel that appeared to her told her that she would give birth to a son who would one day deliver the Hebrews from the hands of the Philistines.

The angel also gave her specifications as to how the child Samson was to be brought up, including his dedication to God from birth and his grooming. Manoah’s wife told him of the dream, and he prayed for another appearance from the Angel. His prayer was answered, and the angel appeared a second time to both Manoah and his wife. The angel repeated the predictions and the stipulations concerning the birth and upbringing of Samson.

Samson_Judge_and_Strong_Man — Samson destroys the temple

The Lord at work in Samson

The Bible reveals that God started to manifest himself in the boy Samson from an early age while he was in Mahaneh Dan which is located between the place known as Zorah and the other Eshtaol. God had specifically blessed Samson with great strength so that he would be able to fight the Philistines and deliver Israel. His long hair was a symbol of strength, and no razor was to touch his head.

The Bible records that Samson’s first demonstration of the Lord’s strength in him came when he ripped an attacking lion apart while he was on his way to visit his Philistine bride-to-be. The Bible relates that the Spirit of the Lord took control of Samson, and he overcame the lion. The second manifestation of this power was to come when Samson, in anger against his father-in-law, destroyed the crops of the Philistine.

He did this by capturing three hundred foxes, tied their tails together then set them afire and turned them loose in the fields. Samson’s strength was again proven when he slew 3,000 Philistines with a donkey’s jawbone. When the Philistines locked their gates in an attempt to lock him inside their walls, the man of God responded by pulling the gates off their hinges and carrying them up the top of a hill. Samson’s final display of strength was to result in three major occurrences, the deliverance of the Israelites from the hands of the Philistines, the destruction of the Philistines and his death. Samson fell in love with another Philistine woman Delilah. She coaxed him endlessly to tell him the secret of his strength.

After tricking her by telling her lies, Samson finally gave up his secret that resulted in him losing the symbol of strength between him and God, his hair. The Philistines took advantage of the weakened judge of Israel, and they mocked him and put out his eyes. Unknown to them, as his hair grew back Samson’s strength returned.

He used this strength at the appropriate time while thousands of Philistines had gathered in the temple of Dagon to jeer him. He had his guide lead him to the main support pillars of the temple where through a fervent prayer to God for one last blessing of strength. He braced the pillars apart and brought the temple down upon the Philistines slaying them, and he died with them in the process.

Bible References to Samson

Judges 13:1 to chapter 16:31. The birth and life of Samson.
Judges 13:24. The Spirit of the Lord started to work through Samson while he was in Mahaneh Dan.
Numbers 6:1-21. The vow of a Nazarene

References:
http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/464035/jewish/Samson.htm http://www.bibleview.org/en/Bible/Judges/Samson/ http://www.sundayschoolsources.com/lessons/OT/Judges/Samson_text.htm

Posted on April 27, 2012March 3, 2022 by Margaret Hunter — 19 Comments

Philistines

The Philistines were an ancient people that lived in the Middle Eastern region. They are found on the Bible Timeline around 1200 B.C. Biblical and historical sources claim that the Philistines were a part of the Canaanite culture. These people have existed in Canaan before the arrival of the Israelites. The Philistines were also known as seamen and people who established cities close to the Mediterranean Sea.

Even though the Philistines are not portrayed in the Bible as traders and seafarers, they were closely identified with the Phoenicians who were known for these characteristics. They were at times referred to as the people of the sea. The Philistines were mentioned in the Bible as far back as the time when God promised Abraham that he would be the father of many nations. The Philistines were the mortal enemies of the nation of Israel for hundreds of years. When the Israelites had finally settled into Canaan, they had to contend with the Philistines.

These two nations constantly fought against one another. The major reason that the Philistines and the Israelites constantly had strife was because of their differing religious beliefs. The Philistines primarily believed in Dagon and the Israelites believed in Yahweh or God. These two gods were nothing alike and this religious difference played out in the lives of the Philistines and the Israelites in forming their cultures and shaping their lives.

Another major reason as to why the Philistines resented the Israelites is because they had conquered so many people when they entered into Canaan under Joshua’s leadership. The Philistines were a powerful and warlike people, and they disliked the idea of the Israelites gaining more power. They constantly challenged the strength of Israel. God also let the Philistines remain in the land to test and punish the Israelites whenever they strayed away from worshiping him. The Philistines defeated the Israelite armies on many occasions and they even managed to get some of the people to turn away from worshiping Yahweh.

Procession of Philistine Captives At Medinet-Habu.

The Philistines most notable mention in the Bible was during the era of the Judges and the reign of Kings Saul and David. Samson, the famed strongman, fought against the Philistines and was even overcome by a Philistine woman named Delilah. King Saul had to battle against the tyranny of the Philistines when they used the giants from Gath as a part of their armies. One Philistine giant named Goliath helped to mark the beginning of King David’s reign. The Philistines contended with Israel up until the time the Assyrians conquered the whole region during the 8th century B.C. After the Assyrians had taken over the area, the Philistines were no longer relevant and were absorbed by other cultures.

Philistines In the Bible

Genesis 21:34 Abraham stays in the land of the Philistines for a long time.
Genesis 26:1 a famine occurs in the land and Isaac looks for refuge in the land of the Philistines
.Genesis 6:14 the Philistines envy Isaac because of his wife and many great possessions.
Exodus 13:17 God doesn’t allow the Israelites to travel through the lands of the Philistines because they might have turned back to Egypt when they saw how warlike they were.
Judges 3:31 a judge named Shamgar kills six hundred Philistines with an ox goad.
Judges 10:7 God is angry with Israel, and he forces them to serve the Philistines.
Judges 13:5 God brings Samson into existence to free the Israelites from the Philistines.
Judges 14:2-4 Samson lusts after a Philistine woman named Delilah.
Judges 15 and 16 Delilah deceives Samson and he captured by the Philistines. Samson loses his strength but manages to get it back to destroy the Philistine rulers before he dies.
1 Samuel 17 David slays Goliath
Zephaniah 2:5 God finally judges the Philistines, and they no longer are a relevant people in history.

References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Philistine_captives_at_Medinet_Habu.jpg

Posted on April 23, 2012May 10, 2016 by Margaret Hunter — 2 Comments

Zidon The Principal Seaport

Zidon is an ancient Phoenician city that has been in existence for over 3000 years. The Phoenicians used the city as one of their major seaports, and it was an important place of economic trade and commerce. According to the Book of Genesis, the Canaanites established the people and city of Zidon. Keep in mind that Canaan was the son of Ham and the grandson of Noah. Canaan then produced a child named Zidon and he is apparently the father of the Zidonian people. Zidon as a principal seaport of the ancient world is found on the Bible Timeline around 1400 BC. According to the Bible, many of the ancient cultures of the Old Testament were established by people who had the same name as a particular ethnic group.

Zidon,_Principal_Sea_Port — Sidon Sea Castle, built by the Crusaders in AD 1228

Sidon Sea Castle, built by the Crusaders in AD 1228

The city of Zidon is mentioned in different scriptures within the Old Testament. Many of the references about Zidon reveals that the people there were Mariners, seafarers, traders and the worshippers of many gods. Since they were descendants of the Canaanites, they also believed in a lot of their deities. Even though this is the case, they primarily worshiped Baal, Ashtoreth and the fish-god Dagon.

The ancient Phoenician city of Tyre is supposed to have been started by members of Zidon. Once Tyre became an established seaport an instant rivalry formed between both of the cities. They competed with one another to dominate the trade in the sea. Though Zidon competed hard against Tyre to gain prominence as the major economic center for the Phoenicians, Tyre managed to become the most important seaport. Zidon wasn’t far behind of them and constantly challenged their position as a major economic power of the ancient world. Zidon specialized in producing glass and purple dye.

Religion is one of the most important themes throughout the Bible. The type of gods that each ancient culture believed in is mentioned by the authors of each book. One reason God has inspired these writers to mention ancient cultures and their deities is to warn people today about worshipping false gods. Zidon was an ancient culture that worshipped false gods. God had to judge the people of Zidon because of their worshipped of false gods.

The Bible mentions the people of Zidon as being enemies of Israel. They were usually allied and sympathetic toward other nations who were similar to their own culture. They have played a role in some of the attacks against God’s chosen people. Economics also played a large role with Zidon being united with other heathen nations.

The Bible condemns false religion and worship, and it also condemns an overabundance and emphasis on wealth. The people of Zidon pursued wealth and economic power and lived their lives for the purpose of financial gain. Even though money is an important part of life, God does not want people to rely on it more than him. God ultimately tells the prophet, Ezekiel, to speak against Zidon and to inform them that they are going to acknowledge him as Lord after he causes them to be destroyed. Since then Zidon has been rebuilt and is now called Sidon. It is a modern day city in Lebanon.

Bible References:

Genesis 10: 15-19 List the table of nations from the descendants of Noah. Canaan is listed as the father of Zidon.
Judges 10:6 Israel offends God by worshipping the gods of various nations including Zidon.
Judges 10:12 The Zidonians attacks Israel.
I King 17: 9 Elijah the prophet is commanded to go to a Zidon city called Zeraphath.
Ezra 3:7 the Israelites do business with the people of Zidon to gain materials for building the wall.
Jeremiah 47:4 God cuts off the power of the evil nations and Zidon’s ability to help them
.Ezekiel 28: 21-22 God tells Ezekiel to prophesy judgment against Zidon.

References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sidon
http://www.blueletterbible.org/search/translationResults.cfm?Criteria=zidon&t=KJV http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/15255-zidon-sidon
http://www.sacred-texts.com/bib/ebd/ebd393.htm