Magazine Highlights

Biblical Archaeology Review, Winter 2025

The Winter 2025 issue of Biblical Archaeology Review celebrates the latest discoveries that continue to shape our understanding of the Bible.

In “Not So Little Town of Bethlehem,” explore the monumental waterworks that suggest the town of Jesus’s birth was far more prosperous than the well-known carol would have us believe. Visit Khirbet el-Ra‘i, a “Biblical Border Town” that may be biblical Ziklag, where David first ruled. And “In the Shadow of Armageddon,” unearth the Roman camp of Legio, where Rome’s military might may have inspired Revelation’s apocalyptic imagery.

In Strata, investigate pottery from Canaanite Megiddo that preserves traces of vanilla, suggesting the aromatic spice was actually first harvested and traded in the ancient Near East. In “Site-Seeing,” stop by Chorazin to join the excavations of a fourth-century synagogue that is likely built upon an even earlier synagogue where Jesus preached. In “Test Kitchen,” try your hand at mulling a spiced wine that was enjoyed across the Byzantine Empire.

In Epistles, grapple with the various ways the biblical authors understood the Hebrew term for “settlement” and learn why certain translations make better sense than others. Examine the unique abilities ascribed to the apostle Paul and how these qualities served to elevate the apostle’s stature in early Christian circles. And revisit New Testament writings that reveal the skilled hands of the enslaved scribes whose efforts helped create Christian scripture.

The last article in our “New Directions” series challenges archaeologists to engage with the Bible while also expanding the field’s horizons. And we look back at the BAS Publication Awards, which have recognized outstanding scholarship in the Bible and archaeology since 1984.

Visit us online to see the latest news in biblical archaeology or to delve into additional articles, eBooks, and videos about key Bible and archaeology topics. And in the Winter issue’s Web Exclusive, get a behind-the-scenes tour of the Chorazin synagogue with dig director Achia Kohn-Tavor as he reveals new evidence of the site’s first-century sanctuary. All-Access Members can explore the BAS Library, which features every article ever published in Biblical Archaeology Review, Bible Review, and Archaeology Odyssey, as well as Special Collections of articles curated by BAR editors.

Features

Not So Little Town of Bethlehem

Joan E. Taylor
The traditional view of Bethlehem is that it was a quiet pastoral hamlet at the time of Jesus’s birth. Although much of its archaeology is hidden under the modern city, there may be reason to believe that it was actually a vibrant urban center during the Second Temple period. One such clue is the Lower Aqueduct, part of a major building project that conducted water directly through the heart of Bethlehem.

Biblical Border Town: Is Khirbet al-Ra‘i Where David First Ruled?

Kyle H. Keimer, Gil Davis, Saar Ganor, and Yosef Garfinkel
Khirbet al-Ra‘i was the quintessential border town during the Late Bronze and early Iron Ages. The site stood at the intersection of Canaanite, Philistine, and Israelite cultures, resulting in uniquely blended and overlapping architecture, pottery, and artistic styles. But was it also the biblical town of Ziklag, awarded to David in return for his service to the Philistine king of Gath?

In the Shadow of Armageddon

Matthew J. Adams, Yotam Tepper, Mark Letteney, and Wiesław Więckowski
In the second and third centuries CE, the Roman legionary camp at Legio helped secure Roman dominance over Judea. Its strate-gic location in the fertile Jezreel Valley, within sight of ancient Megiddo, made it a cornerstone of Rome’s eastern presence. Archaeology reveals details of daily life and the religious and cultural adaptations that took place at this critical outpost.

Putting the Bible Back in Biblical Archaeology

Aaron A. Burke
Biblical archaeology has witnessed dramatic change during recent decades, with some experts even moving away from the Bible as a historical source. But by expanding the biblical world’s temporal and geographical boundaries and integrating scientific approaches with a renewed commitment to biblical studies, the field can bring new life to our understanding of ancient Israel.

Departments

Strata

Death and Revelry in Caesarea
Who Did It?
Dam of Biblical Proportions
Artistry in Ivory
Heathen Humor
Treasures of the Holy Sepulchre
Archaeology Argot: Ostracon
Facelift: Mosaic Masterpiece
Site-Seeing: Digging Through Time at Chorazin
Test Kitchen: Byzantine Spiced Wine
Vanilla-Spiced Afterlife at Canaanite Megiddo
Milestone: Leonard J. Greenspoon (1945–2025)
Recognizing Greatness: The BAS Publication Awards
BAS Publication Award Winners
Book Review: Rediscovering the Dead Sea Scrolls
World Wonders: The Ram in the Thicket

Epistles

Big City, Small Town—Why Size Matters
What Is It?
Clip Art
Biblical Profile: Paul, the Bible’s Last Action Hero
Whence-a-Word?: An Eye for an Eye
The Hidden Hands Behind the New Testament
Biblical Bestiary: Dog

Plus

Digging In
Queries & Comments
Authors
Caption Contest

Web Exclusive

Finding Jesus at Chorazin
More Queries & Comments