power of the written word

power of the written word Latest

Sep 19 Blog

The Gospel of the Lots of Mary

AnneMarie Luijendijk has identified a previously unknown Late Antique text containing oracles called The Gospel of the Lots of Mary.

Jul 7 Blog

The Oracle of Delphi—Was She Really Stoned?

By: Jelle Zeilinga de Boer and John R. Hale

According to Strabo and other sources, the Pythia who gave prophecies on behalf of Apollo was inspired by mysterious vapors. Is there evidence that intoxicating gases actually drifted through the Temple of Apollo at Delphi?

Two ancient amulets from Ketef Hinnom. Photo: © Israel Museum, Jerusalem, by Nahum Slapak.

Feb 22 Blog

Miniature Writing on Ancient Amulets

By: Robin Ngo

In 1979, archaeologist Gabriel Barkay discovered two miniature silver scrolls from a late Iron Age (seventh century B.C.E.) tomb in Ketef Hinnom outside of Jerusalem. When unrolled, the scrolls had tiny texts written on them—similar to the priestly blessing in Numbers 6:24–26.

Jan 10 Blog

Ancient Lullabies in Mesopotamia

By: Biblical Archaeology Society Staff

Parents worldwide and through the ages have longed for a magical cure for their crying babies. In BAR, David Bosworth examines ancient Mesopotamian lullabies used to soothe babies.

Sep 6 Blog

The Shema‘ Yisrael

By: Noah Wiener

In BAR, Armin Lange and Esther Eshel discuss a Jewish amulet that contains one of the earliest monotheistic readings of Deuteronomy.

Must-Read Free eBooks

The Dead Sea Scrolls: Past, Present, and Future

Biblical Peoples—The World of Ancient Israel

Who Was Jesus? Exploring the History of Jesus’ Life

Ancient Israel in Egypt and the Exodus

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