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UNDERSTANDING THE BIBLE THROUGH UNDERSTANDING THE CUSTOMS AND CULTURE OF BIBLE TIMES Class #9 Towns and Cities in Bible Times By Don LaRose Copyright (c) 2011 All Rights Reserved In our study of towns and cities in Bible times, we must make a distinction between villages and cities, because the Law of Moses made a distinction. Leviticus 25:29 talks about selling a "dwelling house" in a walled city. Then just two verses later (verse 31) it lays down the rules for selling a house in a village which has no wall around it. The difference is that cities had walls; villages did not. Villages were near fortified cities, and were dependent upon them. Often in the Old Testament we read of a city "and its villages;" or literally: a city "and its daughters." It indicates a mother city and her dependent villages. Walls were a part of a city's fortification. Often we read of a person building a city. In most cases, the person represents his family, which would include a number of generations. Likely they were not building a new city, but either they were rebuilding walls which had been torn down, or they were upgrading a village to city status by building a wall around it. Notice three things in II Chronicles which are required to make a town a city. "Beth-horon the upper, and Beth-horon the nether, fenced cities, with walls, gates and bars" (II Chronicles 8:5). Notice that a city had walls, gates and bars. In the wall would be one or more gates, depending on the size of the city. The gates would be made of wood or stone, with the wooden gates armored with metal. Psalm 107 speaks of gates overlaid with copper and iron. Isaiah 45 refers to two leveled gates. I Samuel 23 mentions heavy locks and bars that were used on gates. Sometimes cities had two walls, one within the other. In that case, there would be two gates, one for each wall, and a space between. Late in King David's life, his son Absalom tried to take his kingdom by force. During the battle between Absalom's and David's forces, II Samuel tells us that, "David sat between the two gates: and the watchman went up to the roof over the gate unto the wall, and lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold a man running alone" (II Samuel 18:24). The city gates served many purposes in addition to security for the city. In Psalm 69, David speaks of his persecutors gossiping about him at the city gates. In Esther 2, we read that Mordecai sat in the king's gate. The prophets most often preached their sermons, predictions and warnings in the gates of the city. One example is where God commanded His prophet Jeremiah to, "Go and stand in the gate of the children of the people, whereby the kings of Judah come in, and by the which they go out, and in all the gates of Jerusalem" (Jeremiah 17:19). In addition, court was held in the city gates, beneath the walls. Stone seats were provided for the judges. In the Genesis story of Sodom and Gomorrah, chapter 19 says that Lot sat in the gate as one of the judges. In Ruth 4:1, Boaz went to the judges in the city gate to redeem the estate of Elemelech, so he could marry Ruth, and became her "kinsman redeemer;" which is a study in itself (Jesus is said to be our Kinsman Redeemer in the New Testament). The Prophet Amos preached in the city gates, calling for justice, which was lacking during his time. These courts, held in the city gates were authorized and established by the Law, the Torah (the books of Moses). "Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates, which the Lord thy God giveth thee, throughout thy tribes, and they shall judge the people with just judgment" Deuteronomy 16:18). There are also symbolic references to city gates in the Bible. The term "gates" may be used to symbolize the city as a whole. For example, God said to Abraham, "Thy seed shall possess the gates of his emenies" (Genesis 22:17). Or, David uses the term "gates" in another way. He writes, refering to the Temple, "Open to me the gates of righteousness" (Psalm 118:19). There were two types of towers which were common to city walls. Most city gates, had a tower. That is, a portion of the wall was constructed much higher than the rest of the wall. It was used for spotters to scan the horizon for any approaching enemy; and it could also be used for hurling rocks and shooting arrows at the enemy, while at the same time being out of the reach of the enemy. In addition to the towers at each gate to the city, most cities had the same type of towers built at the corners of the walls. Look at this from King Uzziah's time. "And he set captains of war over the people, and gathered them together to him in the street of the gate of the city, and spake comfortably to them" (II Chronicles 32:6). The King gathered the captains of the people in the usual meeting place - the gate meeting place, beneath a tower. Also, it says, "He made in Jerusalem engines, invented by skilful men, to be on the towers and upon the battlements (some translations indicate "the corner towers") to shoot arrows and great stones withal" (II Chron. 26:15). Then, there were also Citadel Towers. Citadel towers were normally built at the highest ground in the city. An example of this is the Tower of Shechem (Judges 9:46) in the story of Abimelech. In the New Testament we have reference to the Roman citadel, and its tower, in the City of Jerusalem. Often these "citadel towers" were built by conquering nations to keep tabs and control over the people in the city whom they had defeated; although David built a citadel tower in Jerusalem known as "The Tower of David." There were three types of streets in the cities. Normal streets were long, narrow and winding (Joshua 2:19). This is still true today in many of the cities which date back to Old Testament times. The old city of Jerusalem is one perfect example of this. The streets near city gates, in front of public buildings, and at major crossroads, would include large, broad public squares (Nehemiah 8:1). Then there were the short streets; more like what we would call alleys (Proverbs 7:8). Incidentally, there is a separate Hebrew word for each of these three different kinds of streets. City streets were usually paved with large stones. However, villages usually had dirt streets. David said, "I did cast them out as dirt in the streets" (Psalm 18:42). Isaiah refers to the "mire of the streets" (Isaiah 10:6). The people of Bible times had a great appreciation for the description of Heaven's streets paved "with pure gold as it were transparent glass" (Revelation 21:21). Inside the main city gate of each city, would be the marketplace. This is the place where farmers and traveling merchants would sell their products. It was also a social gathering place. And remember that under the culture of the day (which remains very much the same way today), a business transaction was always preceded by a social visit. Jesus said to His disciples, "Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the market places" (Mark 12:38). The Apostle Paul took advantage of the culture, using the market place to his advantage. "Therefore disputed he...in the market [place] daily with them that met with him" (Acts 17:17). Labor union featherbedding is not unique to our time. Most cities had laws forbidding merchants to carry their products into the city. When a camel caravan arrived, they would have to hire one or more porters to carry their merchandise to the location inside the city where it would be sold. These porters would carry huge loads and weights on their backs, the short distance from just outside the city gate to the marketplace just inside the city gate. Jesus used this picture when He said, "Woe unto you also, ye lawyers! for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers" (Luke 11:46). Perhaps the Apostle Paul was thinking of the porters when he said to the Galatians, "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ" (Galatians 6:2). And Jesus must have had in mind the poor porters of His day, laden down with burdens, when He gave the invitation, "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). There were children in the market place. When we use the term "children" we are speaking of young adults. In the Jewish system there were certain things a man could not do until he was thirty years old. He was still a child in some respects. Notice that Jesus did not begin teaching until He was 30. Before that He was too young to be a rabbi. Being in the market place was a part of their education. They would observe with interest what was going on. This was the hub of all activity for their city. Jesus used a crowd of youngsters playing games in the market place as an illustration. When the suggestion was made by some of them that they "play wedding," and later that they "play funeral," the rest of them did not like either suggestion. Jesus said: "But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows, and saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented" (Matthew 11:16-17). Day laborers also met in the market place. They would stand around early in the morning, waiting to be hired. Jesus used this for one of His parables. Jesus said that a vineyard owner went out into the market place at the first hour (6:00 am), and hired some day workers to work for him. He went out again at the third hour (9:00 am) and hired some more. He did this again at the 6th hour (noon) and again at the 9th hour (3:00 pm). It was not unusual for day workers to wait in the market place for several days before they would be hired to do a job. The city council members (so the speak) would sit in the market place and listen to complaints. This was unofficial, because the real business would have been done in the city gates, which may have been only a few feet away. Paul and Silas had been preaching in the market place in Philippi. "They caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the market place unto the rulers" (Acts 16:19). They were hauled before the council there, but they were not given an official trial, because they were not allowed to respond. All they heard was the complaint. They were beaten and put in jail. Not until the next day did the council discover that they were Roman citizens. Suddenly they realized that they were in real trouble with the Roman authorities; and they did everything they could to smooth over the situation, and send Paul and Silas them with apologies. Finally, there was always the presence of beggars in the market place, and at other locations as well. In the New Testament going door-to-door was almost unknown. The Law of Moses did require helping the poor. Beggars were usually people who were blind, maimed or diseased. We read of Blind Bartimeus, who sat alongside the highway begging. There was the impotent man who was laid daily at the gate of the Temple. There was Lazarus, the beggar who was laid daily at "the gate of a certain rich man." There were many others. Even Islam, which traces its roots back to Judaism, retained this important Old Testament teaching. However, Islam teaches that people gain favor with Alah (their god) when they give alms to beggars. DOMESTICATED ANIMALS The camel was, and remains, the number one most domesticated animal in Bible lands which is used as a beast of burden. The Old Testament Patriarchs measured their wealth by the number of domesticated animals they owned. "Abram had sheep, oxen, she-asses, and camels" (Genesis 12:16). As a matter of fact, when you add up the value of Abraham's possessions, and the number of servants and people in his tent city, you discover that he owned a larger portion of the total world wealth of that time, than any of the richest people in the world today. The same could be said of Job. Job had 3,000 camels before his testing - 6,000 afterward. "Jacob had much cattle, asses, and camels" (Genesis 30:43). After the Children of Israel settled in the Promised Land, the use of camels dwindled. Their kings, however, had many camels used for travel, transportation and trade. Middle eastern camels are dromedary (one humped) camels. They store water in their cells and can smell water at great distances. In ancient days, when a caravan ran out of water, they would kill a camel to get the water from its stomach to save the people. In Genesis 24 there is an interesting story about watering camels. Abraham's servant had taken a caravan to search for a wife for Isaac. He came into a town and found a woman (Rebekah), whom he eventually took back to be a wife for Isaac, and it says, "She hasted, and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran again unto the well to draw water, and drew for all his camels" (Genesis 24:20). That would have been a long, exhausting job. In the winter, camels do not water, they graze. When it warms, they water every week to 9 days. During the summer they need water every other day. They eat something called "teben." This is the short straw that comes from the threshing floors. Caravans, during Bible times, carried bags of this with them. Plus the camels would eat what they could find along the way. Their favorite food is "ghada," a slender green twig; but they also eat a particular thorn bush, which they can handle because of their hard boney palate. They can go as much as 20 days without food. Camel's feet have two long toes which rest on a hard elastic cushion with a boney, tough sole. The hump gives strength to the back so it can carry heavy loads. The fatty substance in the hump is a source of reserve energy for the camel. The condition of the hump is a sign of the camel's health, and is one of the things a prospective buyer would look at in determining his desire to buy the camel, and the price he is willing to pay. Mounting a camel is not easy for westerners. To get on, the camel must lay down. After you are on, the hind quarter rises first, throwing you frontward. Then the front goes up. You must sway with the animal. Some westerners even get sea-sick. Most westerners find it very uncomfortable. Men ride bareback. But there is furniture for women. In Genesis 31:34 there is the story of Jacob returning home with his wives, servants and flocks. At one point in the story, his wife Rachel was in her tent sitting on the camel furniture. This may have been two large basket-like appendages which had been slung on each side of the camel. Another method was to use two slabs or planks of wood, about ten feet in length, which were fastened onto the frame of the saddle and at right angles to it. From the end of those, ropes were stretched over upright posts fixed above the middle of the saddle, to support an awning under which the women sat on quilts and cushions. Camels move quickly. A loaded caravan would travel over the desert at about 3 miles per hour. Without a load, they could travel 9 to 10 miles per hour. Running, a camel can outrun a race horse. Camel products include: meat (unclean for the Israelites) and milk. The hair is spun into thread and woven into fabric, and was used for tents, carpets, rugs and even garments. John the Baptist is said to have worn a camel's hair coat. The skin can be tanned into leather, sandals, water bottles, and more. The dung was used as fuel. Jesus referred to camels in at least two of His teachings. In Matthew, Mark and Luke, He spoke of "the eye of the needle." "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God" (Matthew 19:24; Mark 10:25 and Luke 18:25). Over the years I have heard a number of explanations of what Jesus meant with these words. I suppose the one I have heard most frequently, was the small door in the large city gate, which allowed one individual to come through into the city at night when the large gates were closed. However, nothing larger than a middle sized man could fit through this door (sometimes referred to as "the eye of a needle"), and certainly not a camel. However, in the original, this is speaking of a surgeon's needle. So, it really is talking about the real "eye of the needle." Then, how can any rich person enter the kingdom of God, since it is impossible for a camel to go through the eye of a surgeon's needle? Again we come face to face with culture. Again, and again, Jesus uses extreme examples to prove His point. "Cut off your arm if it causes you to offend," or "pluck out your eye..." and there are many more both in the Old and New Testaments. The explanation for this exaggeration comes in Jesus' following comment, "With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible" (Matthew 19:26). So, keep in mind, that when reading the Bible, and you come upon examples that seem to be too far out, or over the top, they may be examples of oriental exaggeration used to further emphasize the point. Just a few chapters later, Jesus uses the camel in another illustration. "Ye blind guides, that strain out the gnat, and swallow the camel" (Matthew 23:24)! Jesus is denouncing the practices of the Scribes and the Pharisees. When He says that they "strain out the gnat," He is talking about the ancient custom of filtering wine. He bounces the gnat and the camel off against each other. This is another illustration of exaggeration. He is accusing them of being scrupulous about the tiny details of the Law; but careless about the important aspects of the Law. Let's move on to another biblical animal - the donkey. Donkeys were ridden, but frequently they carried loads, just like the camels. A large bag on each side (or woven baskets) was strapped together over the top of the back. There are also references to donkeys being used to plough, in the Bible. The Law forbade mixing yokes, i.e. oxen and donkeys (Deuteronomy 22:10). In Matthew 18 we have another example of exaggeration. Jesus says, "But whoso shall cause one of these little ones that believe on me to stumble, it is profitable for him that a millstone turned by an ass (a donkey) should be hanged about his neck, and that he should be sunk in the depth of the sea" (Matthew 18:6). There are many examples of donkeys being used to carry people. Abraham rode a donkey (Genesis 22:3). There is even a reference to rich people riding on white donkeys. In Judges chapter 5 there is a song of victory, and praise to the Lord by Deborah and Barak. This is Hebrew poetry. "Let all Israel, rich and poor, join in His praises - those who ride on white donkeys and sit on rich carpets, and those who are poor and must walk..." (Judges 5:10). The horse was a symbol or war; the donkey was a symbol of peace. This helps us to understand the prophecy that the Messiah would ride triumphantly into Jerusalem on a donkey. "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy king cometh unto thee; he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass (donkey), even upon a colt the foal of an ass (donkey)" (Zechariah 9:9). There were two well known donkey rides in the New Testament. This one prophesied by an Old Testament prophet when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on that first Palm Sunday; and an earlier ride, when Joseph and Mary went from Nazareth to Bethlehem (Mary riding on a donkey) where Jesus was born. Horses did not play a big part in Israel's history. However, there were several times when that over-all rule was not true - for instance, in the time of Solomon. Horses were mainly used for war. Isaiah does speak of horses being used on the threshing floor to thresh grain. Horses were used by some of the peoples which surrounded Israel. In Egypt horses were used for pulling chariots in addition to riding. However, horses and chariots were impractical in Israel because of the lay of the land. This worked to Israel's advantage several places in the Old Testament. When the Assyrians and later the Babylonians came against them, they had difficulty because their horses and chariots could not negotiate the rugged terrain, and the Israelites were able to trap them. In the time of the Macabees (the period between the Old and New Testaments) this same military plan of trapping Roman legions and chariots in tight places worked to the advanage of Israel. In the Law, God ruled out the use of horses in Israel. In Deuteronomy 17, God is outlining rules for Israel's future kings. He says, "Be sure that he (the king) doesn't build up a large stable of horses for himself, nor send his men to Egypt to raise horses for him there, for the Lord has told you, 'Never return to Egypt again'" (Deuteronomy 17:16). Solomon broke this Law of God. I Kings 10 tells us that he had chariots brought up out of Egypt at 600 shekels of silver each, and horses at 150 shekels each. As a side-bar, that is not the only law Solomon broke. The following verses warn against the Israeli king "multiplying wives" and being "excessively rich." The reason: "lest his heart be turned away from the Lord." And that is exactly what happened later in King Solomon's life. By the way, as my wife and I stood on the tell at the ancient city of Megiddo, we viewed the remains of the 500 horse stalls, quarters for the groomers, storage units for the chariots and stone hitching posts that Solomon had built. Megiddo was Solomon's northern military headquarters. There is also frequent mention to "dogs" in the Bible. These are not the pets that we have today. There are two types of dogs mentioned. There was a wolf-like short-haired dog; and there was the shepherd dog - a domesticated dog used for herding sheep. Shepherding dogs go back into early human history. Job, who lived at or before the time of Abraham, refers to his sheep dogs. Other dogs were referred to as scavengers. Orientals thought of these kinds of dogs much as we do today. One of the worst names a person could call someone was a dog. Yet, by the time Jesus came, the Jews of His day thought of non-Jews (Gentiles) as "dogs." There are several such references to this in the New Testament, and even one case where a non-Jewish woman came to Jesus and used the argument that she was a dog, to gain His attention and healing. CUSTOMS REARDING PROPERTY In the Bible, property rights were so closely tied to individuals and families that it is difficult to tell where one ended and the other began. First, let's consider how land was measured and allotted during Bible times. Even up into the 20th Century, land in Northern Israel was still measured by the use of a "cord." David writes of God's bringing Israel into the Promised Land, "He (God) cast out the heathen also before them (Israel), and divided them an inheritance by line (by cord)" (Psalm 78:55). Much later in the Old Testament, the Prophet Amos predicted that the land would be similarly measured and assigned by the foreign foes who would capture it because of Israel's sin against their God. "Thy land shall be divided by line (by cord)" (Amos 7:17). A prescribed line, or cord, would be stretched out to measure the land. When the Children of Israel entered the Promised land, the land was measured out "by line" or "by cord." But then the land was allotted to families by "lot." Family representatives would gather on a threshing floor. The person in charge has a bag full of pebbles. Each pebble has a mark on it to represent one of the parcels of land. Usually a boy is chosen to pull out the pebbles and hand one to each family representative. Each man responds, as he is handed his pebble, "May God maintain my lot." In Psalm 16:5, the Psalmist is speaking of his "inheritance." He praises the Lord, for, he writes, "Thou maintainest my lot." Have you ever heard of a dispute between neighbors, in which one neighbor is accused of moving a surveyor's stake? It is illegal to move a surveyor's stake. In Bible times, it was a violation of God's law to move a landmark used to identify the boundaries of a person's property. The four corners of the property would be marked by a heap of stones called, "the stones of the boundary." Then a double furrow would be run between the boundary stones. To remove a landmark was considered to be a sin. Wars have even been fought because someone moved a landmark. Here is God's Law regarding property landmarks: "Thou shalt not remove thy neighbor's landmark, which they of old time have set in thine inheritance" (Deuteronoy 19:14). Buying and selling property, and the recording of deeds is not something unique to our modern society. The Prophet Jeremiah gives an account of purchasing a field. "And I bought the field of Hanameel my uncle's son, that was in Anathoth, and weighed him the money, even seventeen shekels of silver. And I subscribed the evidence, and sealed it, and took witnesses, and weighed him the money in the balances. So I took the evidence of the purchase, both that which was sealed according to the law and custom, and that which was open: and I gave the evidence of the purchase unto Baruch the son of Neriah, the son of Maaseiah, in the sight of Hanameel mine uncle's son, and in the presence of witnesses that subscribed the book of the purchase, before all the Jews that sat in the court of the prison" (Jeremiah 32:9-12). Notice several things here: 1. Silver was weighed out in payment. 2. The purchase was witnessed by those who "sat in the court." 3. There were duplicate copies made (one sealed - one open). 4. It was customary to seal one in a safe place, usually buried some place on the property which was being purchased. 5. The unsealed deed would be placed in the public place where deeds were recorded - in the Temple area of Jerusalem. 6. In Jeremiah's case, both were preserved, because Jerusalem had been destroyed by the Babylonians. Specific inclusions were entered on the deed, and spelled out in great detail. It was possible the owner could discover after the sale, that he did not own everything on the property. You might buy the field, but someone else might own the well in the center of the property, or a specific tree. The well or the tree must be specifically entered on the deed as a part of the sale. When Abraham bought the burial ground for Sarah, he was very specific. "The field, and the cave which was therein, and all the trees that were in the field, that were in the borders round about, were made sure unto Abraham" (Genesis 23:17). Would you ever consider burying your valuables, or your extra money, on your property? That is exactly what people did in Bible times. When they left on a trip, or went off to war, they would bury their valuables at a place on the property which no one else knew. If they were killed, or never returned, no one would know where the family valuables were. As a result, some people became treasure hunters. There are several references to this in the Bible. Even as far back as the time of Job it was said: "The bitter in soul...long for death; but it cometh not; and dig for it more than for hid treasures" (Job 3:20-21). One of Solomon's proverbs uses the comparison of looking for hidden treasure: "Yes, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; if thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures, then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God" (Proverbs 2:3-5). Jesus was teaching about the Kingdom of God. He uses the idea of a treasure hunter digging up a family treasure. He buries it again, then sells everything he has, buys the land where the treasure is buried, and the treasure is then his. Listen to the way Jesus put it: "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for the joy of it, goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field" (Matthew 13:44). For the believer, the treasure is a new life in Christ. Certainly we would be willing to give up the old life for a new life in Christ Jesus. The Law of Moses also provided for redeeming lost properties, lost inheritances, even people, through a "go-el," or kinsman redeemer. If someone mortgaged their property, then could not make the payments, the land would be taken by the one who was owed. However, that land could only be held till the next Year of Jubilee. The Year of Jubilee came along every 50 years, at which time all land was returned to its original family ownership, and slaves were freed. However, in the meantime, the nearest male blood relative (the kinsman redeemer) could go to civil court and pay to recover the land. This is what happened in the story of Ruth. "Now this was the manner in former time in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning changing, for to confirm all things; a man plucked off his shoe, and gave it to his neighbor: and this was a testimony in Israel. Therefore the kinsman said unto Boaz, Buy it for thee. So he drew off his shoe" (Ruth 4:7-8). Boaz, as the nearest of kin to Naomi's husband (Elimelech), was able to buy back their reposessed land, and marry Ruth. There was another practice in Old Testament times, which is still alive today in the Middle East, and it is beyond our western thinking to be able to comprehend it. It has to do with raiding and blood avenging. At times when there was no strong ruler, various tribes would raid each other. They would arrive at night. One man would approach and try to befriend the dogs and lead them astray. After the dogs were gone, the other men would attack, taking whatever they wished, including camels, sheep, cattle, valuables, household items, etc. They would fight the men, and even kill them. But it was not permissible to hurt or injure the women in any way; although they could, and often did, take them to become slaves. The Muslim religion permits such raids, but no lives may be lost and no women may be hurt. If lives are lost, a "blood-feud" begins which could last for generations. If a raid takes place, and people are killed in the tribe being raided, then it becomes the responsibility of that tribe to attack the tribe responsible for the deaths, and kill the same number of people. To fail to do so is considered weak and immoral. In our time, the Arabs raid Israel, killing Israeli citizens. Israel retaliates with air strikes. They say it is their moral duty. The United States tries to talk them into restraint. However, the Arab's take that as weakness and laugh at what they think is immorality on the part of the Israelis. That may not make sense to us; but it is a part of the culture of that part of the world. This practice is seen in the Old Testament. In Judges chapter 6, the Israelites were being harassed by desert people called "the Children of the East." They would hit Israeli communities at harvest time. "And so it was, when Israel had sown, that...the children of the east, even they came up against them; and they encamped against them, and destroyed the increase of the earth...and left no sustenance for Israel, neither sheep, nor ox, nor ass" (Judges 6:3-4). The Prophet Obadiah also tells of such raids. "If thieves came to thee, if robbers by night...would they not have stolen till they had enough" (Obadiah 5)? A law common to Semitic peoples is the Law of Blood Avenging. This was a law, not only of the ungodly, idol worshiping tribes, but it is recorded in the Old Testament as a part of God's Law (the Law of Moses). The members of a tribe or clan are responsible to punish anyone who wrongs or takes the life of one of their members. The nearest male relative was duty bound to avenge the life of one killed. Therefore, God put some limits on this practice. He required the establishment of six Cities of Refuge in Israel. "These six cities shall be a refuge, both for the children of Israel, and for their stranger, and for the sojourner among them: that every one that killeth any person unawares may flee thither" (Numbers 35:15). In the City of Refuge, a trial would be held. If it was determined the death was an accident, then the individual responsible for the death would be allowed to live in the City of Refuge safely. However, if it was determined that he had committed a murder, he would be turned over to the next of kin for vengeance. "The revenger of blood (the kinsman) himself shall slay the murderer: when he meeteth him, he shall slay him" (Numbers 35:19). There is an example of this in II Samuel 21. David was King of Israel; and a famine had hit the land. David asked God what had caused the famine. God's response (found in II Samuel 21:1-9) indicated that King Saul had broken a covenant that Joshua had made several hundred years earlier with the Gibeonites. The Gibeonites felt duty bound to avenge the deaths committed by King Saul, but had no opportunity to do so. Now, since Saul was dead, God indicated that his descendents must pay. The stoning death of seven male descendents was required to compensate for Saul's actions. The stonings were carried out and the famine ended. We could go into a lot more of the culture of Bible times, like, more of their diet such as various dairy products, meats, eggs, honey. We could go more deeply into mealtime customs, education and modes of travel. We could even discuss Roman and Greek culture, because both Jesus and Paul took examples from the Roman military and the Greek games. However, we have covered the major cultural areas which will help you understand some portions of the Bible which are sometimes difficult to understand. Remember, we believe that the Bible is the inspired, infallible, inerant word of the Living God (Yahweh - Jehovah). It is to be understood literally except where the Bible itself indicates something is an illustration of something else. It must also be understood as the people to whom it was written understood it. Hence a study of the culture and customs of Bible times. Have a happy journey through the Bible in your study; and hopefully we have been able to provide a little background to help you get more out of your study and your walk with the Lord. May the Lord bless you. ________________________________________________________________ New Study Manual Now Available... Understanding the Bible By Understanding THE CULTURE & CUSTOMS OF BIBLE TIMES * Over 200 pages * 27 chapters * Illustrative drawings * Photos from the Holy Land * And much more Great for Bible Study groups, Sunday School classes, etc. Each chapter ends with "Review Questions," "Things to Remember" and "What Does This Mean to Me?" Send $12.95 plus $4.00 shipping and handling to: Don LaRose P. O. Box 95 Centerton, AR 72719 Order 7 or more books (one, or mixed titles, from any page on this website) and take a 10% discount. One $4.00 S & H covers all books ordered at the same time. It is our pupose to get these books into the hands of as many people as will benefit from them. If you are unable to afford the cost of these books, please let us know. We trust the Lord to make up the cost of your books through gifts from God's children. ____________________________________ Click here to return to our Home Page. _________________________________________________________________ |
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