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Tag: Joshua

Importance of Salt —

On the usefulness and harvesting of a precious ancient commodity.

Importance of Salt —

On the usefulness and harvesting of a precious ancient commodity.

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It is a commonly known truth in ancient Near Eastern studies that salt was an important staple of everyday life. Salt enhances the flavour of food increasing the enjoyment of the meal, and it had many other practical uses. Salt enabled the preservation of fish and other meats as well
Divine Genocide & Moral Necessity —

Countering accusations against God’s moral character on account of the Conquest.

Divine Genocide & Moral Necessity —

Countering accusations against God’s moral character on account of the Conquest.

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The exploits of Deuteronomy and conquest of Joshua no doubt raise a few eyebrows for newcomers to the faith, doubters, cynics, and even longtime Christians, where accusations and questions of God’s moral character abound. Underneath these accounts of bloodshed, there is at first glance, a deep-seated conflict between God’s wrath
City of Gibeon —

A quick look at the history and archaeology of this renowned Canaanite city.

City of Gibeon —

A quick look at the history and archaeology of this renowned Canaanite city.

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The city of Gibeon appears on the pages of the Bible during the conquest of Canaan. In Joshua 9, the city saw the proverbial writing on the wall. Large, fortified cities had fallen to the Israelites and Gibeon knew they would, too. The other cities of Canaan made alliances and
Repeating History —

Exploring the unexpected beauty of the chiastic structure

Repeating History —

Exploring the unexpected beauty of the chiastic structure

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Although perhaps not always perceivable to the untrained eye, there are a number of literary devices that the Bible employs. Some of these include alternation, immediate repetition, parallel symmetry, and reverse symmetry. Perhaps most beautiful and unexpected of these devices is reverse symmetry—also known as a chiastic structure. “When God
Historical Tour of Mizpah —

Exploring history, archaeology and Scripture about this Biblically significant location.

Historical Tour of Mizpah —

Exploring history, archaeology and Scripture about this Biblically significant location.

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In Hebrew, the place name “Mizpah" means “watchtower”. With this meaning in mind, then, it’s not surprising that there were a few Biblical locations named this. First, Mizpah was used as another name for the pile of stones set up by Jacob and Laban in Genesis 31; this location seems