The Bible

1. The Bible Confirmed by Archeology

2. Bronze Age oil lamp Job 29 v 3 … by his light I walked through darkness

3. Containing events happening in the Assyrian Empire by Sennacharib which are also recorded in the Bible THE TAYLOR PRISM Historical background to the Bible

4. Wall carvings and Sennacherib’s prism and the Bible all relate the same events. l l These relief carvings show Sennacherib as the most powerful king in the world. l Sennacherib has the prisoners and the loot from the Judean city of Lachish paraded before him. Sennacherib on throne Photo credit, the British Museum

5. l The Assyrian Empire supported a rich lifestyle for the upper classes l Many exotic animals and plants were kept in private parks. l Animals were bred to be hunted for sport. The lion hunt Photo credit, the British Museum

6. l The Assyrian army was an efficient, well organized fighting force. l The army was well supplied with armaments and with food taken from conquered territories. l Priests also accompanied the army to appease the gods and assure victory. The Assyrian Camp Photo credit, the British Museum

7. l Sennacherib’s prism also tells of the prisoners and domestic animals captured from Lachish. l This relief carving depicts the weapons taken to prevent furtherresistance. l The Assyrians took all symbols of local authorityfrom the palace at Lachish. Booty from Lachish Photo credit,the British Museum

8. l Each province in the Assyrian Empire paid taxes to the central authority Taxes from the provinces were carefully totalled to ensure that they were as assessed. l l The relief carvings in Assyrian palaces portray the written records on Sennacherib’s prism. Tribute Photo credit, the British Museum

9. about time of King David Oil lamp Psalm 119 v 105 Your word is a lamp to my feetAnd a light to my path

10. l One of the earliest known Jewish coins struck in Persia after Cyrus allowed Jews to return from Babylon. l The Cyrus cylinder appears to grant religious freedom in the Persian Empire. l But this coin depicts Yahweh from a Persian view and violates the second commandment. Quarter Shekel of Judaea

11. l A clay tablet from a Babylonian library, now in the British Museum, refers to Jehoiachin, King of Judah. l This clay tablet also states that Jehoiachin received daily rations from the Babylonian king. l The Babylonian library confirms the Bible record in Jeremiah. The King of Babylon……….. brought Jehoiachin, King of Judah out of prison……..and gave him for his diet………everyday a portion until the day of his death. The final chapter in Jeremiah states: Historical background to the Bible

12. l Qumran is an ancient Jewish community on the shores of the Dead Sea. l It was inhabited for about 150 years l The Roman army destroyed Qumran in 68 AD Qumran Historical background to the Bible

13. l Water from Wadi Qumran was collected behind a dam. l An aqueduct brought water from the dam to the settlement. Remains of a cistern Sediment was captured in basins and the water was stored in cisterns. l

14. l Qumran seems to have been largely self-sufficient. l Animal bones, dates and other food remains were found nearby. l The settlement had a Potter’s shed and other workshops. First Century corn mill

15. l These scroll jars were probably made in the settlement. l Dead Sea scrolls were placed in these jars. l The lid was sealed onto the jar and it was put in a safe, dry place Scroll storage jar

16. l This cave, although closest to Qumran, contained few scrolls. l Most of the scrolls were stored in dry caves some distance from the settlement. Cave IV

17. Oil lamp from the time of the Gospels Luke 8 v 16 No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a vessel or puts it under a bed, but sets it on a lampstand, that those who enter may see the light.

18. l This coin was struck in Judaea while Qumran was expanding. l The lily is a symbol of Judah, the reverse of the coin has Seleucid symbols and Greek letters. l The coin shows the mix of Hebrew and Greek influence in Judaea at the time. Hasmonaean Coin

19. l In 37 BC Herod the Great ascended to power l He prepared an extensive redevelopment plan for the city. l By the time of the Gospels, Jerusalem had become a marvel of Graeco-Roman architecture. Jerusalem – about 30 AD Historical background to the Bible Credits: Ritmeyer Archaeological Design

20. l None of Herod the Great’s coins have Hebrew inscriptions, they all have Greek symbols and letters. l This Greek influence was also evident in the architecture of Herod’s building program for Jerusalem. Herodian coins

21. Rows of shops were againstthe south and west walls ofthe Temple. l l The Temple was the centre for much of the commercial and social activity in Jerusalem l Five roads converged at this corner of the Temple. S.W. corner of the Temple Platform Credits: Ritmeyer Archaeological Design

22. l Excavations have shown how Herod expanded Jerusalem’s water supplyproviding ample for industrial and personal uses. l Three small pools with steps were found beside the reservoir. l The pool of Bethesda is the siteof one of the miracles recorded in the Gospels (John 5) Reconstruction of the Pool of Bethesda Credits: Ritmeyer Archaeological Design

23. l Water in the pool of Siloam comes through a tunnel originally cut by Hezekiah about 700 BC. l The 1725 feet S-shaped tunnel was cut from both ends and workers met in the middle. l The moment when tunnelling teams met is recorded on the Siloam inscription. Pool of Siloam today Credits: Ritmeyer Archaeological Design

24. l Annas, the High Priest probably lived in this 6,500 square foot mansion. l It shows the enormous profits that came from the commercial activity associated with the Temple. l There were many more large mansions in the new suburbs to the west of the Temple Platform. l Reconstruction of aHerodian Mansion Credits: Ritmeyer Archaeological Design

25. This coin was the smallest coin used in Judea at the time of Pontius Pilate Coins from the time of the Gospels Widow’s mite Mark 12 v 42 There came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites

26. l The entrance to Annas’ tomb faced the Temple. l The entrance to the tomb is copied from one of the principle entrances to the Temple. l Carved rosette designs in the main chamber were copied from carvings in an entrance to the Temple. Reconstruction of the High Priest’s Tomb Credits: Ritmeyer Archaeological Design

27. l This half shekel coin was in use in Judaea at the time of the Gospels. l Coins with a human head were against Jewish law l It is ironic that this coin with the god Melqart and the eagle of Zeus was the only one acceptable for the temple tax. Tyrian Didrachm

28. l The Temple was an impressive site from the Mount of Olives. l The huge gateway to the Temple porch was 34 feet wide and 65 feet high and the porch stood 172 feet high. l The light coloured Jerusalem stone reflected the light from the sun View of the Temple from the Mount of Olives Credits: Ritmeyer Archaeological Design

29. ...in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it. Zechariah 12:3 The Temple area today