rahab the harlot

rahab the harlot Latest

The fateful encounter between Judah and his daughter-in-law Tamar is depicted in this 17th-century painting by Dutch artist Gerbrand van den Eeckhout

Feb 25 Blog

Sacred Prostitution in the Story of Judah and Tamar

While some scholars suggest that temple prostitution was practiced in ancient Israel, Edward Lipiński argues that neither the Bible nor archaeology provides any clear evidence that Israelite religion incorporated the sexual rites of Canaanite goddesses.

Joshua hangs back as Moses leads him by the hand in this 15th-century stained-glass panel from the Church of St. Lawrence in Nuremberg, Germany. Image: Sonia Halliday.

Feb 13 Blog

Joshua in the Bible

By: Elie Wiesel

Joshua inherits authority from Moses but not his charisma. God performed miracles for Joshua, even causing the sun to stand still, but Joshua’s speech lacks the prophet's magic. Joshua’s story is melancholy: violent victory tinged by deep sadness. As award-winning author and activist Elie Wiesel examines.

Nov 5 Blog

Love Your Neighbor: Only Israelites or Everyone?

By: Richard Elliott Friedman

The Book of Leviticus tells us to love our neighbors, but who are our neighbors? Does the command mean to just love fellow Israelites—or everyone?

Aug 6 Blog

Rahab the Harlot?

By: Robin Ngo

In the Book of Joshua, Rahab assisted two Israelite spies in escaping out a window and down the city wall of Jericho. Who was Rahab in the Bible? A Biblical prostitute or just an innkeeper?

19th-century painting of Jezebel by John Liston Byam Shaw

Jan 2 Blog

Scandalous Women in the Bible

By: BAS Staff

Mary Magdalene, Jezebel, Rahab, Lilith. Today, each are popularly considered scandalous women in the Bible. Are these so-condemned salacious women misrepresented?

Aug 5 Blog

What the Temple Mount Floor Looked Like

By: Frankie Snyder, Gabriel Barkay and Zachi Dvira

More than a hundred colorful polished stone tiles have been recovered by the Temple Mount Sifting Project. The tiles reveal what the Temple Mount floors looked like in Herod’s time. They were paved in a technique called opus sectile.

Sep 28 Blog

Second Temple Period Discoveries at Biblical Hebron

By: Biblical Archaeology Society Staff

Biblical Hebron, mentioned nearly 100 times in the Hebrew Bible, was a significant ancient city. Recent excavations have uncovered the town from the Second Temple period. Who lived here? Jewish, Edomite or pagan residents?

Feb 15 Blog

Hazor: Canaanite Metropolis, Israelite City

By: Biblical Archaeology Society Staff

William G. Dever reviews Hazor: Canaanite Metropolis, Israelite City by Amnon Ben-Tor.

Mar 8 Blog

The Bible and Religious Violence

By: Biblical Archaeology Society Staff

In his Biblical Views column, Ronald Hendel wonders what is wrong with religion that it inspires religious violence.

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