Canaanites
Heroes: None specifically, though they frequently conflicted with the Israelites.
Summary: The Canaanites were diverse people with advanced urban centers and a polytheistic religion, frequently interacting with the Israelites.
Destroyed cities
Description: The city of Jericho is famously destroyed by the Israelites under Joshua's command after they march around the city walls for seven days.
On the seventh day, the walls of Jericho collapsed, allowing the Israelites to conquer the city (Joshua 6).
Description: Several Canaanite cities were destroyed by the Israelites during their conquest of Canaan.
The city of Ai was also destroyed after an initial defeat of the Israelites (Joshua 8).
Outcome: These cities were destroyed by fire or other means during the Israelite conquest, but most were later rebuilt or resettled.
Chronological Nations and Tribes
Ancient nations and tribes mentioned in the Bible, detailing their historical timelines, cultural roles, and interactions with the Israelites, from the Sumerians and Akkadians to the Greeks and Romans.
Heroes: None specifically, though they were frequently in conflict with the Israelites.
Summary: The Canaanites were diverse people with advanced urban centers and a polytheistic religion, frequently interacting with the Israelites.
Summary: The Philistines were known for their conflicts with the Israelites, notably in the story of David and Goliath.
Summary: The Israelites are central to the biblical narrative, establishing the Kingdom of Israel and Judah, with Jerusalem as their capital.
Summary: Babylon was a major cultural and political center, known for its Hanging Gardens and the Babylonian Exile of the Israelites.
Moabites, Ammonites: Descendants of Lot, located east of the Jordan River, contemporaneous with the Israelites.
Edomites: Descendants of Esau, living southeast of Israel, contemporary with the Israelites.
Midianites: Nomadic people, descendants of Abraham through Keturah, interacted with the Israelites during the Exodus and Judges period.
Philistines: Sea peoples who settled in the coastal regions of Canaan, frequently in conflict with the Israelites during the Judges and Kings period.
Geshurites: A small kingdom near Gilead, contemporaneous with the Israelite Kingdom.
Sidonians: Inhabitants of Sidon, a principal Phoenician city, contemporaneous with the Israelites.
Sinites, Arvadites, Zemarites: Phoenician tribes, contemporaneous with the Phoenicians and Israelites.
Shechemites: Inhabitants of Shechem, a key city in Israelite history.
Technology vs Spirituality
The theocratic policy of the Israelites was a case in point and, as the reader will ere long perceive, Suemis and Necropan were examples yet earlier in the history of the world.
The worship of Crawling things
This word's connotation in the biblical text emphasizes the unclean and detestable nature of the idolatry being practiced, reinforcing the severity of the Israelites' spiritual corruption in Ezekiel's vision.
And he said to me, 'Son of man, do you see what they are doing—the utterly detestable things the Israelites are doing here, things that will drive me far from my sanctuary?
Narrative Support: This verse depicts the worship of the Mesopotamian god Tammuz, further evidence of the Israelites adopting foreign religious practices, which Yahweh found abhorrent.
Atlantis in the Old Testament
Reason: While Genesis was likely compiled later (around 1000–500 BCE), many of its stories, particularly those concerning the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob), are believed to have ancient roots in Israelite oral tradition.
Reason: The events of the Exodus are central to Israelite identity and are believed to have been among the earliest recorded traditions, possibly during the early monarchy.
Reason: These books contain laws and regulations that could date back to the early period of Israelite settlement and the establishment of religious practices.
Jerusalem
The Last Days of Atlantis
“They will bring them, as the Israelites bring their grain offerings, to the temple of YHWH in ceremonially clean vessels.
Samson’s Birth and Blessing
Biglino points out that the narrative is infused with a certain "humor," particularly towards Israel's enemies, suggesting that the account was likely written after the Israelites had defeated the Philistines, allowing them to mock their former oppressors.
He begins to explore Samson's story by reading from chapter 13 of the Book of Judges, where it states, "The Israelites again did what was evil in the eyes of the Lord, that is, Yahweh, and Yahweh delivered them into the hands of the Philistines for 40 years."
The Riddle of Samson
His primary achievement was to start encouraging the Israelites to rebel against the Philistines, who had moved into the mountains.
Samson’s Role in Delivering Israel
Significance: Samson is included in the Book of Judges because he began the deliverance of the Israelites from the Philistines.
Significance: The Philistine god Dagon, worshipped in the temple that Samson destroyed, is mentioned multiple times in the Bible, emphasizing the cultural and religious conflict between the Israelites and the Philistines.
The Laws for Humans
Biglino notes that this aligns with the general view he has been presenting for years: that a group of Elohim gave various populations—Moabites, Ammonites, Amalekites, Edomites, and Israelites—a series of rules and regulations, which also included practical teachings such as metallurgy.
The Baal Cycle
The Israelites lived amidst the Canaanites, who had distinct beliefs, practices, and deities.
By examining these myths, we can understand how the Israelites reinterpreted and transformed pagan imagery to articulate their understanding of Yahweh, the one true God.
This event highlights the promiscuity common in ancient myths and contrasts with the Levitical prohibition against such acts in Israelite law.
It contrasts the beliefs of Israel's neighbors with the worship of Yahweh, highlighting the distinctiveness of Israelite religion and the richness of biblical imagery.
This myth illuminates the contrast between Canaanite beliefs and Israelite religion, highlighting key themes of life, death, and resurrection that resonate with biblical narratives.
The series emphasizes the stark contrast between Canaanite and Israelite religious practices.
Moses, in his farewell speech, urges the Israelites to remain faithful to Yahweh, who provides life and prosperity without the need for appeasing multiple deities or engaging in complex rituals.
As the dawn of a new age broke, YHWH stood supreme, the sole god of the Israelites.
In this new order, the Israelites thrived under YHWH's protection and guidance.
Trinity: El, YHWH, Asherah
YHWH, in the development of Israelite religion, came to replace many roles attributed to various deities in the Canaanite pantheon, including Baal.
Nation of Israel: The descendants of Jacob, known as the Israelites, inherit this name and its meaning.
In the Book of Joshua, YHWH commands the Israelites, led by Joshua, to conquer the land of Canaan.
Ai: Similarly, YHWH commands the Israelites to attack and destroy the city of Ai (Joshua 8:1-29).
In Deuteronomy 7:1-2 and 20:16-18, YHWH commands the Israelites to utterly destroy the nations inhabiting Canaan to prevent them from leading the Israelites astray into idolatry.
The commands to kill and destroy are also seen as protective measures to prevent the Israelites from adopting the corrupt practices of the Canaanites, thereby preserving their covenant relationship with YHWH.
Burning Bush: YHWH calls Moses directly from the burning bush and commissions him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt (Exodus 3).
Samuel: YHWH speaks directly to the prophet Samuel to guide the Israelites and anoint kings like Saul and David (1 Samuel 3; 1 Samuel 16).
Pillar of Cloud and Fire: YHWH leads the Israelites through the wilderness with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, signifying His direct presence (Exodus 13:21-22).
Messenger of YHWH: In Exodus 23:20-23, YHWH tells the Israelites that He is sending a messenger to lead them and bring them to the Promised Land.
Direct to Joshua: YHWH directly commands "The Powerful Listener" to lead the Israelites into battle against the inhabitants of Canaan (Joshua 1:1-9; Joshua 6:2-5).
Asherah, connection with tree worship
This object is frequently mentioned in contexts that suggest idol worship and was subject to various reforms and destructions by Israelite leaders.
2 Then Solomon summoned to Jerusalem the elders of Israel, all the heads of the tribes and the chiefs of the Israelite families, to bring up the ark of the Lord YHWH’s covenant from Zion, the City of David. 3 And all the Israelites came together to the king at the time of the festival in the seventh month.
7 The priests then brought the ark of the Lord YHWH’s covenant to its place in the inner sanctuary of the temple, the Most Holy Place, and put it beneath the wings of the cherubim. 8 The cherubim spread their wings over the place of the ark and covered the ark and its carrying poles. 9 These poles were so long that their ends, extending from the ark, could be seen from in front of the inner sanctuary, but not from outside the Holy Place; and they are still there today. 10 There was nothing in the ark except the two tablets that Moses had placed in it at Horeb, where the Lord made a covenant with the Israelites after they came out of Egypt.
Snakes in Israelite Religion:
The Israelites were influenced by the surrounding Canaanite religion, which included the worship of gods and goddesses associated with these symbols.
They shared common themes related to fertility, life, and healing, reflecting the broader cultural and religious milieu in which the Israelites lived.
Asherah
Asherah poles are frequently mentioned as objects to be destroyed in efforts to purify Israelite worship (e.g., Exodus 34:13, Deuteronomy 16:21, Judges 3:7).
This inclusion of Asherah in Israelite worship was seen as a departure from exclusive worship of YHWH.
Some scholars propose that Asherah may have been considered a consort of Yahweh in early Israelite religion, based on archaeological findings and ancient inscriptions.
The presence of Asherah in Israelite worship reflects the syncretism that occurred as Israelite religion evolved, influenced by surrounding Canaanite and other Near Eastern cultures.
These findings illustrate the widespread nature of her veneration and the complexity of early Israelite religion.
Her association with Yahweh, though controversial and often suppressed in later religious reforms, provides insight into the syncretic nature of early Israelite worship and the cultural transitions that shaped the Hebrew Bible and later Jewish and Christian traditions.
"The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord; they forgot the Lord their God and served the Baals and the Asherahs."
He broke into pieces the bronze snake Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had been burning incense to it.
For further reading, you might also look into scholarly works on ancient Israelite religion and archaeology, such as:
These works delve deeper into the archaeological and textual evidence surrounding Asherah and her place in ancient Israelite religion.
Her worship was widespread among the Canaanites and Israelites, with her symbols and images found in various temples and artifacts.
Ashira is frequently mentioned in the Old Testament, often in connection with sacred trees or poles, indicating her integration into Israelite worship.
Her worship included ritual prostitution, which was condemned by Israelite priests and contributed to her marginalization.
The biblical plagues could be reinterpreted as manifestations of the Ark's power, controlled by Moses to convince Pharaoh to release the Israelites.
During the chaos of the final plague, the death of the firstborns, Moses seized the opportunity to take the Ark and lead the Israelites out of Egypt.
The parting of the Red Sea could be explained as another display of the Ark's power, used by Moses to ensure the safe passage of the Israelites.
The construction of the Tabernacle was Moses' way of creating a suitable housing for the Ark, ensuring its continued reverence and proper usage among the Israelites.
The fall of Jericho is a prime example, where the Ark’s power was central to the Israelites' success.
The Ark served as a tangible symbol of God's presence and covenant with the Israelites, solidifying Moses' leadership and the unity of the people.
The worship of Baal was frequently condemned by Hebrew prophets, and the Israelites are often portrayed as turning away from Yahweh to worship Baal, which led to various conflicts and punishments.
Miracles of Elijah, Moses, and Jesus
Elijah
Elijah is known as Ilyas in Islam and is considered a prophet sent to guide the Israelites back to the worship of Allah and away from Baal worship.
These texts outline the laws, commandments, and history of the Israelites as God's chosen people.
During the Neo-Assyrian period, Israelite religion began to show syncretic elements, incorporating aspects of Assyrian religion.
YHWH A dessert pagan God
Dever's 2003 article, "Who Were the Early Israelites and Where Did They Come From?" claims this.
The Israelites borrowed it from some kind of nomadic tribe out of the desert for the name of their God, Yahweh.
Slavery
Leviticus 25 is a chapter in the Old Testament of the Bible, and it is part of the Levitical code, a collection of laws given to the Israelites.
During the Jubilee year, all leased or mortgaged land was to be returned to its original owners, and all Israelite slaves were to be freed.
Israelites were instructed to help their fellow countrymen who became poor.
There were also regulations on how to treat Israelite slaves, emphasizing humane treatment and their eventual freedom during the Jubilee year.
The Priestly writers aimed to provide a theological and legal framework for the Israelites, emphasizing their unique covenantal relationship with God.
In summary, Leviticus 25 originates from the ancient Israelite society and reflects their concerns with social justice, economic stability, and religious observance.
39 “‘If any of your fellow Israelites become poor and sell themselves to you, do not make them work as slaves.
42 Because the Israelites are my servants, whom I brought out of Egypt, they must not be sold as slaves.
46 You can bequeath them to your children as inherited property and can make them slaves for life, but you must not rule over your fellow Israelites ruthlessly.
The purpose of the Shemitah is to allow the land to rest and to remind the Israelites of their dependence on God.
Creditors are to release any fellow Israelites from debts, promoting economic relief and social equity.
In ancient Israel, the Shemitah was observed as part of the covenantal laws given to the Israelites.