A short sermon offered by the reader of the Torah or Haftarah in the synagogue. Any adult member of the community was eligible to speak the sermon, and it was frequently quite short (Jesus spoke only a few words, Luke 4:21).
By cutting through the layers of civilization and examining the artifacts, structures, and even human remains, archaeologists can reconstruct the lifestyle of a community. Pottery styles change over time, and since pottery is virtually imperishabl...
Roman god of marriage, chastity, hunting, and moonlight. Twin sister of Apollo, daughter of Zeus and Leto.
From Greek, "to haul," road over which sailors hauled goods from one harbor to another.
Greek god of wine, fertility, and vegetation, god of the theater. Son of Zeus and Semele, the Theban princess.
Originally built in the third century before Christ, this small, beautiful temple was remodeled by the Romans. It was approached by a twenty-five-step stairway at the end of a 770-foot terrace. Here, people worshiped Dionysus, the fertility god of...
Temple surrounded with two rows of columns.
The Hebrew word for disciple is talmid. This word stresses the relationship between rabbi (teacher or master) and disciple (student). A talmid of Jesus' day would give up his entire life in order to be with his teacher. The disciple didn't only se...
In these audio teachings, Ray shares his knowledge of Jewish History and Biblical Culture.
In these audio teachings, Ray shares his knowledge of Jewish History and Biblical Culture.
Main entrance to the temple area in Jerusalem. In some traditions, it is believed to be the location of the Last Judgment. Also known as the Beautiful Gate.
Followed the original line dating from Solomon's days. The main feature in the wall, the Eastern Gate (see above), was the original eastern entrance to the Temple Mount. At one point, the walls of the temple rose more than 225 feet above the botto...
The place where Adam and Eve lived before the Fall (Gen. 2:8-24).
Israel and Edom: Nations in ConflictJacob and Esau, the grandsons of Abraham, were to be fathers of nations in conflict. Esau (the older) ultimately would serve Jacob, and Jacob's people would be stronger than Esau?s people. Esau's descendents wer...
Esau's descendants. Edom means "red" and the Edomites lived in the mountains to the east and south of the Dead Sea. Because of Edom's attacks on Judah, God promised to take revenge on the Edomites.
Land and civilization south and west of Israel that flourished along the banks of the Nile River. During the time of Moses, home to enslaved Jews. Part of the Roman Empire during the first century. Throughout the Bible, Egypt was economically depe...
One of the five Philistine city-states, it is the one closest to the Judea Mountains.
Valley in the Shephelah between the coastal plain and the Judea Mountains. David fought Goliath here.
Older men who were leaders of God's chosen people.
Why Did God Choose Elijah? It's easy to think that Elijah was morally or spiritually superior to us, but he wasn't. Elijah needed correction, encouragement, and the knowledge that other believers were standing against Baal as well.God uses ordin...
