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Current BAR Issue Online

Normally Biblical Archaeology Review posts only the introductions to their articles online (unless you’re a premier member), but the March/April issue is now available to all in its entirety. There are a number of interesting articles, but instead of listing them here, you can click over yourself.

I offer only a comment on one article here: I think that Shanks’ article on Emmaus is well-written, but he comes to the wrong conclusion. I think that he wanted to write an article on the site at Latrun (formerly known as Emmaus and Nicopolis) and this pushed him to adopt this as the location of Emmaus of Luke 24. While he recognizes the problems with this site (namely the inferior textual evidence and the lengthy distance to walk in a day), he dismisses them too quickly. He never discusses any of the evidence for Motza/Moza/Colonieh. Nor does anyone dispute that the Latrun site was known as Emmaus in the 1st century. The issue is was this the Emmaus that Luke referred to, and I think the evidence makes this an unlikely candidate.

Another view is that of J. Carl Laney, given in a chapter of his doctoral dissertation. With his permission I have digitized this chapter and posted it online (pdf). Though the discussion is briefer, I prefer Notley’s conclusion on page 368 of The Sacred Bridge. For now, I have to leave it at that. I think all would agree that the issue is difficult. I appreciate BAS making this issue available for all to read and discuss.

Moza, identified as “Emmaus” by Josephus; 30 stadia distant from Jerusalem

Recommended Software: BibleWorks 7 (and Maps)

One of the best Bible software programs for the PC is BibleWorks 7. If you’re only interested in reading the Bible and doing simple searches, this program is more than you need. But those who know, or plan to learn, the original languages will find a wealth of capabilities available at lightning speed. The powerful “Copy Center” makes it fast and easy to copy and paste multiple translations – any number, any versions – in a single click. This would have saved me a lot of time on a recent study. The right-click context menus are also easy to use. If you’re still learning Greek and Hebrew (or haven’t started yet), the built-in flashcard module has plenty of options which makes it easy to quiz yourself. At $350, the program is not inexpensive, but browsing through the list of works included in the copyright list will make you wonder how the software can cost so little.

Version 7 added a map module, and BibleWorks sent me a review copy of the program to evaluate this new feature. I love the integration of the map module; simply right-click on a site name and choose “Lookup in BibleWorks Maps” to get a list of relevant maps to open. Teachers will find this a handy way to access a map while in the middle of a course without having to use other software. The module includes a variety of terrains that you can load, including Landsat data, and some are more aesthetically pleasing than others. Unfortunately, the map data has significant shortcomings; it reminds me more of a beta program. BibleWorks has a major revision of the map module underway which I expect will solve many of the labeling problems. One problem that exists with both the map module and the program in general is that while the documentation is extensive, the features are not always intuitive. This means the happiest user will be the one who reads first and plays second. If you never read any of the documentation, you’ll probably miss many of the features and spend too much time in frustration. Would I recommend the program? Absolutely. Would I recommend its purchase primarily for the map module? Not yet. With their policy of free upgrades within a version, any existing user will be able to download all of the updates as they are released.

Screenshot of Galilee area, with overlays turned on for 4 gospels

Tagged Resources

Indiana Jones #4 (Teaser)

The teaser is now out. The movie, entitled “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” comes out on May 22. Wikipedia has details about the filming and there’s always the official website with a running countdown. It’s been 19 years since Indiana last helped us understand how archaeology really works.

HT: Paleojudaica

Ancient Near Eastern Valentine Contest

Eisenbrauns has hosted the first (and possibly last) “Ancient Near Eastern Valentine Contest.” The entrants even provided translations, in case you do not know Luwian, Hurrian-Hittite, Sumerian, Hebrew, Greek, or Egyptian.

Excavations of Magdala and Nazareth

Antonio Lombatti has word of reports of (recent) excavations of Magdala and (not-so-recent) excavations of the area now known as “Nazareth Village.”

Magdala: You can read Lombatti’s intro here (with beautiful photos) or read the report in Italian here. If you’re wondering if you’ve ever visited Magdala, you haven’t. You may have driven by it (or possibly hiked or biked if you’re one of those sort), but the area has been locked and sealed for a long time, and entrance available only to those who know the right people. Hopefully that will all change…

Nazareth: You can read Lombatti’s intro here or go straight to the report (pdf) by Stephen Pfann. If you’re wondering why you were unimpressed with Nazareth when you visited, it’s probably because you didn’t visit Nazareth Village, a modern reconstruction of the 1st century village.

Tagged Discoveries

Study Trip in Jordan

If you are looking for a serious study tour of biblical and historic sites in Jordan, you can do no better than the trip this June with Dr. Ginger Caessens. I was on a similar trip some years ago and I highly recommend it. This is particularly ideal for those who

1) have already been to Israel;

2) are not looking for a “tourist” trip, but really want to learn;

3) are in reasonably good shape. You can even get credit to transfer back to grad school, college, or seminary. Here are the details from the University of the Holy Land website:

Historical Geography of Jordan

Credits – 2

A 14-day Intensive Study Tour. Nine days of field studies will immerse the student in the rich history of the area. Regions visited include Ammon, Gilead, the Madeba Plateau, Moab and Edom. Many Biblical events transpired in this region, where the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh settled. Moses died in Transjordan and the judges and prophets including Elijah, John the Baptist, Jesus, and Paul, all ministered in the area, which played a crucial role in international trade during Old and New Testament times.

Instructor: G. Caessens, Ph.D. June 2-16, 2008.

For information on cost and accommodation, contact the UHL office.

This is a short-term intensive course. Register now. Limited enrollment! (Minimum enrollment:
15; maximum: 22)

Dr. Caessens is also leading 21-day study trips of Israel in May and July.

Modern Jerash – biblical Gerasa

Tagged Opportunities