1/27/11 Thursday Lecture

Literature Tradition

- Once the Assyrians adopted Aramaic writing, it became important for the state to write down everything in order to build up the legend of Jerusalem, and to exercise control (propaganda).  This is how Christianity, Judaism, and Islam became text-based faiths where the written rule was more important than the King’s position

Hezekiah

- Referred to in the bible as the messiah (one who is anointed with oil) who will deliver Israel from Assyria (Isaiah 7, Isaiah 9, Isaiah 11)

- Fact: Sennacherib (Assyria) does not defeat Hezekiah (Jerusalem)

- Opinion: From Assyrian’s POV, they had other responsibilities and wars and had to pull out.  From Jerusalem’s POV, their city was saved by God

- This marked the moment when Jerusalem’s reputation became to be one of a protected city

- Zion Theology: literary references that refer to the belief that Jerusalem is God’s chosen city and where the Jews should live

- Hezekiah knocked down other YHWY shrines except for the Jerusalem temple in order to centralize religion around Jerusalem

Josiah

- Deuteronomistic theology – good works à God’s blessings and vice versa

- Jerusalem grows and multiplies, so when a young Josiah becomes king at the age of 8, authority is built around a written text

- Josiah also knocked down shrines like his father Hezekiah, but he did so under the impression that those shrines were made to worship other gods.  This shows that the tradition of worshipping one true God was very ingrained into Jerusalem’s culture by this time

Hezekiah is known to have been a great king.  Why does he think in Isaiah 39:8, “The word of the Lord you have spoken is good [regarding Babylon taking all of Judah’s treasures]…For [Hezekiah] thought, “There will be peace and security in my lifetime.’”  It seems as if Hezekiah doesn’t care if Judah will be defeated (as long as its not under his reign).  This selfish thought seems to directly go against the Hezekiah described in 2 Kings 18:5-7: “Hezekiah trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel.  There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before him or after him.  He held fast to the Lord and did not cease to follow him…and the Lord was with him; he was successful in whatever he undertook.”

Where in the bible is the evidence that the shrines Hezekiah destroyed were indeed shrines for YHWY and not another god? 

1/25/11 Tuesday Lecture

Today's lecture was about Hezekiah's Jerusalem.  Basically, this is the period where Jerusalem splits up into Judah and Israel.

Sequence of Events
1. Rehoboam (Solomon's son) is a harsh king

2. Split of Jerusalem into Israel and Judah
- Rehoboam (Judah) asks Pharaoh Shoshenq (Egypt) for help
- Baasha (Israel) attacks Judah
- Asa (Judah) asks Ben-Hadad (Syria) for help
- Jehu (Israel) asks Shalmaneser III (Assyria) for help; (black obelisk of Shalmaneser III)

3. Rise of the Assyrian Empire (I'm a little confused of the details here!)
- Tiglath-Pileser III (Assyria) conquers many lands
- Syria & the north attack Judah.  So Ahaz (Judah) asks Shalmaneser V (Assyria) for help, and Israel is defeated; Israel is reinforced under Assyria with Hoshea as king
- The north try to get help from Egypt (is this right?)
- Sargon II (Assyria) continues policy of deportation
- Sennacherib (Assyria) conquers Philistia and Judah (but not Jerusalem)
- Esarhaddon (Assyria) conquers Egypt

3. Assyria takes over Israel (Seems like Jerusalem is a land protected by God), and Israel is no more
- Military tactics = kill (surround and starve a city), take over (deportations), brag, and intimidate (crucifixions, decapitated heads on spears, Sennacherib's Palace Reliefs)

5. With Israel gone, --> growth of Jerusalem to the west
- Urbanization
- Industrialization (olive oil, wine)
- Centralization of power; need for taxing and administration (lamellics - royal seal impressions, LMLK - for the king) (What is MMST??)
- Population increase
- Social dislocation
- Family structure: extended --> nuclear)
- Different religious views arise
- Urban vs. rural traditions clash
- Social justice: craft specialization --> social classes
- Assyrians adopt Aramaic language (seals and ostraca receipts)

4. Hezekiah's reign - prepare to rebel against Assyria
- Stockpile grains ("broad" wall)
- Gain water (Hezekiah's Tunnel - Graffito, 2 Kings 20:20, "Israel" pool)
- Administration (royal storage jars w/ LMLK seal impression)

5. Josaiah's reign

Major Themes
1. Weak states must pay tribute to powerful nations (Assyria, Egypt) for protection, or simply to avoid being killed.
2. The north was always viewed as being "evil," and the bible is even written from the southern point of view; all their misfortune is attributed to their disobedience of God

Questions
1. 2 Kings 25 says that Ishmael "...son of Elishama, who was of royal blood," killed "Gedaliah [the governor of Judah appointed by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon] and also the men of Judah and the Babylonians", and this made people fear the Babylonians and flee to Egypt.  What side/country is Ishmael from?  Why would someone kill the King of Judah appointed by the Babylonians, men of Judah, and the Babylonians?  Google says Ishmael is the first son of Abraham, father to the 12 tribes...

2. It seems like Judah is the "chosen land," while Israel is the "rebellious land."  I'm having trouble completely believing this distinction, as there were numerous evil kings also in Judah.  Additionally, Judah is also destroyed at the end (as said in Malachi).  How can Judah be the chosen nation?




There are so many similar names that confuse you!  For example, Jeroboam (King of Israel) & Rehoboam (King of Judah).  Were they both sons of Solomon because their names both ended in -boam?  Another prime example: In 2 Kings 22-25, after Josiah, Jehoahaz becomes King of Judah, then Jehoiakim, then Jehoiachin....  Super confusing, right?


What was the point of powerful nations like Assyria and Babylon setting up new kings that were loyal to them in the lands they conquered?  Why didn't they just add on this new land and rule it themselves?  That way, they wouldn't have to worry about rebellion.  Perhaps it is because the fusion of cultures was inconvenient.


Why is the word "Israel" so prevalent in Christianity?  It almost has a positive connotation, and God is sometimes referred to as the "God of Israel."  Why would this be so if Israel was a disobedient nation in the eyes of God?


This background knowledge has shed a LOTTTTTTT of light in my readings and basic understanding of history.  (:

1/20/11 Thursday Lecture

----Associate bible stoires with early Jerusalem in order to BUILD TRADITION!----

The Promise to David
- 2 Samuel 7 is a very important verse; God promises David's line to become a dynasty and never to pass away.  He also says that David's son, Solomon, will be the one to build Him a temple
- But David's line eventually disappears... This has led people to (1) lose faith (2) reinterpret the text and believe that a king from David's line is somewhere or will come.  Some believe that this king is Jesus.
- It is crucial that the bible ties in geneology in order to create credibility as many claimed to be the Messaiah
- Psalm 110 & Psalm 76:1-3 also have references to Jerusalem.  They created "songs" in order to build tradition.

Solomon's Jerusalem
- He built a physical house/temple for God/the Ark.  This was in line with the originial tradition of the diety dwelling in a building (consecration of an established space)
- Wise (story of two women and a baby)
- Assumed to have written Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs (Ecclesiastes and Song of Songs are considered to be "soiled" books by the Jews)
- Also rode on a donkey and was annointed at Gihon

Solomon's Remains
- No temple or palace.  We must rely on literary evidence for Solomon, because there is not much archaeological evidence.  For example, instead of the second temple being built in a tell style (where the new building is built over the old one), King Herrod simply broke down the whole thing and rebuilt the second temple.
- Were David and Solomon real??  Absense of evidence doesn't mean anything.  They could have been false, real, or not as opulent as the bible says.
- Fragmentary archaeological evidence:
1. Megiddo (from "Armageddon") was a hill where major battles took place.  Two scholars have friendly, but differening opinions of the dating of this hill.
2. Ophel excavations reveal a small inscription (not that groundbreaking).  It is certain that Jesus was at these steps
3. Mole (sp?) gate
4. Iron age gate

Solomon's Temple
- The two pillars in Solomon's temple could stand for various things: Jachin and Boaz, idol worship, YHWH and wife, fertility symbols, or decoration
- Pre-Josaiah: other Gods exist, but they are not worshipped.  Post-Josaiah: monotheism - there is only one God.
--> The literary description of Solomon's temple (small rooms in the back, big space in front, portico, two pillars, main hall, water being a cosmic element, using Cedar popularly from Lebanon, Cherubims, city gate architecture) is very similar to the other temples of that time period (Tel Ta'yinat and 'Ain Dara).  This brings more credibility for Solomon.


The Footsteps of God in 'Ain Dara were very interesting.  This was the first time I had heard of them.  I wonder if this is considered to be legit evidence.  It could have been falsely created... no one knows the actual figure of God... and the Hebrew Bible never says that God came down to Earth in physical form...

Seeing David and Solomon in an academic setting has opened my views.  I could blindly believe that they are true historical figures, but it could also be true from an objective standpoint that these figures have been exaggerated, and were not as affluent in the whole span of history...

1/18/11 Tuesday Lecture

This was a fairly short lecture as Professor Cargill let us off early (as we had slaved away the night before writing our papers).  Thank you Professor Cargill !!

Water Constructions
1. Warren's Shaft
- Was it really used to fetch water, or was it simply a natural cave?
- Interesting that the rock level is higher at the bottom. --> Must have lowered buckets into the pool.
- Theory: maybe Joab became David's commander by going through the shaft and conquering the Jebusite city.
--> The existence of this shaft gives the Hebrew Bible text credibility

2. Gihon Spring
- "Gihon" means "gushing."  The Gihon Spring had gushes that lasted 40 mins, had 6-8 hrs between gushes, pumped 314 gallons/day, and was enough water for 2500 people.  Perfect for Jerusalem's survival.

3. Hezekaih Tunnel Inscription
- There's a tunneling account carved onto the wall of the tunnel.
--> Evidence for the authenticity of expanding the waterworks. 
- Dead ends prove that people were digging through this tunnel trying to find water.

4. Siloam Pool
- Problematic for scholars that this pool is underneath Palestinean homes
--> A lot of time and effort was put into capturing water
- Reference to Siloam in John 9:1-11

The Annointing of Kings
- Note: if a name ends in -iah, it means they've incorporated God into their name
- It was ancient Israelite tradition for the King to ride a royal donkey to the Gihon and become annointed there as part of the coronation ceremony.
- Interesting that we see this same tradition in the Hebrew Bible as Jesus performs this act. 
--> Jesus was not being humble.  He was making a bold claim to the throne of Isarel
- Note: It's interesting that Matthew left out the words "righteous and vicarious" in his version of the tradition.

The Ark of the Covenant
- The Ark was the structure that carried the tablet of 10 Commandments given to Moses.  It was a portable shrine of gold overlayed with chrubims for these nomadic people, and signifies where God would meet His people
- You weren't even allowed to touch it (Uzzah's death), which is why people carried it on poles
- Ironic because God disapproved of idols, yet they carried around this shrine with them to worship
- Cherubims were protecting beasts!  Not fluffy angels.
- The ark was built, lost, replaced, and finally put in a tent in Jerusalem


The tradition of annointing kings was the most interesting part of lecture for me.  When I learned about Jesus' procession on a donkey in Sunday schoool, I had a completely different impression of the story than what I learned in this class.  I was told that Jesus was very humble because he rode up in a simple donkey (not a valiant horse).  He didn't expect much, but the people revered him so much that they covered the road with their own cloaks and palm branches. 
This story takes on a wholly different tone when you take into account the tradition of annointing kings.  A humble story suddenly becomes phrophetic and bold.  This would be an interesting topic for my research paper.

Professor Cargill keeps telling us how Jerusalem incorporated ancient stories (such as The Creation story in Genesis) in order to build up its reputation and consescrate its sacred space, but I can't help thinking, "What if it was all a coincidence?"  What if Abraham's sacrifice of Isaac really did happen at Mt. Moriah and Jerusalem was also built on Mt. Moriah?  I doubt that the early leaders of Jerusalem pondered, "Hmm.. what should we name this mountain in order to make it seem like it is holy?"  I will have to figure out the time difference between when these traditional stories were created, and when Jerusalem came about.  Maybe this is what I will write about in my research paper.

1/13/11 Thursday Lecture

Professor Cargill values architectural proof as a devout archaeologist.  He supports biblical claims with archaeological evidence.  "Always question, never believe!" says Professor Cargill.

Chronology
Late bronze age (Pre-Israelite): beginning --> 1000 BCE
Iron Age (David & Solomon): 1000 BCE --> ?

Early Jerusalem
- There were many settlements before the Israelites (continuous settlement for almost 6000 years now!)
- Evidence:
1. Pottery 3200 BCE
2. Execration texts (curse texts that are shattered) that mention Jerusalem 1900 BCE
3. Gihon gate 18 BCE as the "Fountain Gate" in Nehemiah
4. "Tower or Siloam" in Luke
5. Jerusalem mentioned in non-biblical texts like the Amarna Letters 1350 BCE from Jerusalem asking Pharaoh for political and military aid
6. References in the bible to King Melchizedek of Salem
7. Bible references to kings prior to David

The Controversy to How The Israelites Got to Jerusalem
1. Conquest/non-conquest - the Israelites suddenly appeared at Jerusalem after plundering previous inhabitants
2. Immigration - the Israelites slowly moved into Israel
3. Canaanite City - Canaanites slowly evolved into Israelites
--> Controversy in the bible

David's Jerusalem
- Supposedly an amazing king!  A man after God's own heart.
- Did he really exist?

Ironic Naming
- Hill of Offense (where Solomon build idols) is now a Palestinian land with conflicts consisting of Israelites buying up this land.
- Bill of Evil Counel happens to be the site of UN headquarters.

The Millo
- A steep structure on the east hill of the City of David; stepped stone structure called Area G
- Might be a typical Israeli house (4 rooms separated by pillars) like the House of Ahiel
- Difficult to excavate in order to find out more because they'd have to destroy houses

Written Names Found
- Two bullaes found with the name of Gemaryahu ben Shaphan which is also mentioned in the bible.  How common is the name?  Does this prove David's existence?
- Tel Dan Inscription - aramaic inscription mentions the House of David.  This at least proves that someone thought David existed, and some people did refer to themselves as the House of David.  But it does not prove his existence.

Questions
1. I don't quite understand how King Melchizedek references Jerusalem
2. Is Area G part of Millo?  Is the Millo suspected of being part of David's palace or an Israeli house (House of Ahiel)?

After personally reading about David in so many books of the Hebrew Bible, I was fully convinced that such a great king existed.  I did not know that there wasn't a lot of archaeological evidence for David.  Instead of questioning my belief of David's existence, I am curious as to why there would be so little archaeological evidence for someone so important as David in Christianity, as Jesus eventually comes from the house of David.

1/11/11 Tuesday Lecture

Temple
- Temple: building/structure to worship God in/a place where God dwells
- Theme: God gives specific plans for the temple to be built
- Divine origin for sacred places
- Know examples and dates

Consecration of Sacred Space
- Building the reputation of a sacred place and attracting stories/legends (ex: similar to cutting the ribbon of a new building or a frat house's reputation)
- Major theme: Jerusalem is a magnet for stories/legends!  (ex: Gihon Garden of Eden river, Adam being buried under the Dome of the Rock, King Melchizedek of Salem --> Jerusalem, Solomon's Temple being built on Abraham's Mt. Moriah)

Time is Sacred
- Because both time and space were sacred, when space was destroyed, a new definition of being Jewish came about which encompassed the sacrality of time (ex: different reasons for the Sabbath in Genesis, Exodus, Deuteronomy)

Axis Mundi
- Connects Earth to heaven and hell
- Sacred places with altars that are consecrated become connections between heaven and hell (ex: burning bush, 10 commandments given at the top of a mountain, David's altar, Hinnom Gai/valley was a trash dump.  Therefore, Gehenna = hell)

Sacred Places Attract Tradition
- Ex: prayers in the Western wall, denominations fighting for the Holy Sepulcher and Adam's tomb, God at the top of mountains (Cosmic mountain, Mt. Zion, Mt. Zaphon)



Questions
1. Does the temple mount = Solomon's temple/Herrod's temple?
2. Was the temple mount replaced by the Dome of the Rock?


There many words thrown in this class, such as: Temple Mount, Dome of the Rock, Herrod's Temple, and Wailing Wall...... or Cosmic Mountain, Mt. Zion, and Mt. Zaphon.......or City of David, Jerusalem, The Old City, The Lower City that are a bit confusing and hard to distinguish from each other.  What is the clear relationship between these places? 


I found Professor Cargill's whole YHWH description very interesting.  I had no idea LORD was YHWH!  


The lecturing about the Church of Holy Sepulcher was also thought-provoking for me.  How can so many different denominations fight to worship various Gods in one location?  They are not even supposed to fight in a place of worship!  It's ironic that these holy people do not trust each other and must give the key to a Muslim... 

1/6/11 Thursday Lecture

In this first lecture by Professor Cargill, he have us a great introduction to Jersulaem: the geography, physical features, and why it is the center of the world.  He then started to lecture about the Eliade's concept of "sacred space."

----A place is sacred if one believes that something supernatural/an important birth happened there.----


Geography
1. Two main trade routes (The Via Maris and The King's Highway) which were along the coast
2. The Jordan river was named so, because it means "to descend," and it flowed from the highest point (Mt.  Harmon) to the lowest.
3. Sits on a hill (natural defense, therefore Jerusalem was always conquered from the North).  Why would Mount Zion be so important?  (1) Military defense (2) Closer to God (3) "Feels more majestic"
4. Divided into four quarters (Christian NW, Islamic/Muslim NE, Jewish SE, Armenian SW).  The temple mount could be considered the fifth quarter
5. Three valleys (Kidron E, Hinnom W, Tyropean central)

Physical Features
1. Need resources, trade, and natural defense to be a big city.  Jerusalem only had the Gihon spring but it is still central to three religions because water is important.
2. Water route into city: Hezekiah's tunnel --> Warren's Shaft --> Siloam Pool
3. Interesting side-note: Israeli's had to destroy Palestinian houses to expand Siloam Pool excavation --> war!
4. Many bible examples given (Genesis 2, Ezekiel 47, Revelation 22, Quran 47:15) for water as being sacred.

Sacred Space
1. A sacred space must be found, and something must be done to it (ex: pouring oil, cutting off skin)
2. Etiology - attempt to explain natural phenomenon
3. Axis Mundi - place that connects heaven and Earth.


Professor Cargill definitely made this lecture interesting with his humor.  This lecture was personally intriguing for me, as Professor Cargill shed Jerusalem and the bible in a new light.  Although I had heard of Jerusalem my whole spiritual life, and although I had read many of the stories in the bible, never had I heard of the Gihon spring or the valleys, and never had I seen certain aspects of the bible.  For example, the fact that humans come last in Genesis 1 but first in Genesis 2, or the fertility/ladder metaphor in Jacob's Ladder.  It amazes me that I did not see the discrepancy in the Genesis stories although I had definitely read it before.  This is my first time taking any sort of religious class on campus, and I am very excited to see Jerusalem in an academic setting.  (: