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Tag: 2 Kings

Living in the Babylonian Exile —

An historical look into Israel's captivity

Living in the Babylonian Exile —

An historical look into Israel's captivity

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Beginning in 597 BC, eleven years before the destruction of Jerusalem, Nebuchadnezzar enacted the first wave of deportations of citizens of Jerusalem to his Babylonian Empire. This first exile was a show of his power and an attempt to squash any spirit of rebellion or independence in Judah and Jerusalem.
Esau’s “Blessing” & Fulfillment —

Was Isaac’s prophecy over Esau ever fulfilled?

Esau’s “Blessing” & Fulfillment —

Was Isaac’s prophecy over Esau ever fulfilled?

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With failing vision, the elderly Isaac inadvertently blesses his younger son Jacob rather than the intended recipient, Esau (his firstborn). And he declares over him first a promise of agricultural prosperity: “May God give you of the dew of heaven, of the fatness of the earth, and plenty of grain
Resurrection vs. Resuscitation —

What sets Christ’s bodily resurrection apart from other bodily raisings in the Bible?

Resurrection vs. Resuscitation —

What sets Christ’s bodily resurrection apart from other bodily raisings in the Bible?

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Within the Biblical record are at least nine instances of specific individuals being raised from the dead. Three of these are found in the Old Testament and include the raising up of a widow’s son by Elijah in 1 Kings 17, the raising up of a Shunammite woman’s son by
An Israelite House —

The religious architecture of an ancient Israelite house.

An Israelite House —

The religious architecture of an ancient Israelite house.

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In the field of Biblical archaeology there is an interesting peculiarity that helps define the cities and lands where Israelites lived: a type of house. From the 12th to the 6th centuries BC, called the Iron Age, there was a common floorplan used in most homes throughout the land. Biblically
Nebuchadnezzar II —

Brief bio on the most famous king of the Neo-Babylonian Empire

Nebuchadnezzar II —

Brief bio on the most famous king of the Neo-Babylonian Empire

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The Bible’s portrayal of the Neo-Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar is an interesting one. From the perspective of the people living in Judah and Jerusalem, he was a fearsome and war-savvy enemy to whom the prophets of God said they must bow, one way or the other. To the first wave of
Temple as Eden —

How the Temple was designed to look like the Garden of Eden.

Temple as Eden —

How the Temple was designed to look like the Garden of Eden.

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As meeting places for God and men, ancient temples were created to reflect the ideal environment for such an event: the Garden of Eden, also called the “Garden of Plenty” or “Paradise” in surrounding cultures. The Jerusalem Temple, built by Solomon was no exception. The Bible gives a detailed description
Siege Warfare —

Offensive and defensive strategies in the ancient Near East.

Siege Warfare —

Offensive and defensive strategies in the ancient Near East.

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From very early times, people have found it necessary to build walls around their living spaces. For cities, these protective fortifications could be quite elaborate, including double walls systems with steep space between that provided a defensive advantage, moats, towers, complex gate structures, and thick wooden, metal covered doors. But
Birds & Fowling —

Archaeological evidence of ancient Israelites hunting and farming birds.

Birds & Fowling —

Archaeological evidence of ancient Israelites hunting and farming birds.

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Birds were both a source of food and sacrifice in ancient Israel. Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 13 preserve for us the list of fowl that were ritually impure and, therefore, not to be eaten or offered to God as sacrifice by the Israelites. As a general rule, birds of prey