In Israel, carriage roads existed even before their kings reigned. One of which was the King’s Highway, a toll road for public use (see Numbers 20:17). Jewish law regulated roads and their upkeep, particularly those which led into the cities of refuge. One book of law, the Hebrew Talmud, required proper maintainance, a width ofContinueContinue reading “Highways in Bible Times”
Tag Archives: life in bible times
Jews and Gentiles in the Time of Christ
When Christ came on the scene, it was in a time of hatred, faction, and division. Judaism was divided into three factions: the middle-class Pharisees, the rich aristocratic Sadducees, and the Essenes, who had taken vows of poverty. All three of these groups disliked each other and looked down on the Galileans, whom they regardedContinueContinue reading “Jews and Gentiles in the Time of Christ”
God Comes Softly, Building in Silence
God’s temple was a peculiar building from start to finish. It was the Lord’s own house, planned, directed, and modeled by him. King Solomon built this first earthly building for God, totally dedicated and devoted to his honor. Which granted it a special sort of beauty. “Solomon’s temple is the most wonderful and interesting buildingContinueContinue reading “God Comes Softly, Building in Silence”
Inns and Hospitality in Bible Times
We can only imagine Joseph’s dismay when he found no room in Bethlehem. They ha to sleep in the stable, and with a baby on the way! It But iwas not because the famous infamous innkeeper, anonymous and always maligned, was inhospitable. It was because every home and inn was full. In Jewish culture, it wouldContinueContinue reading “Inns and Hospitality in Bible Times”
Bible Occupations: The Marketplace
As we have learned earlier in this series, the occupations and tasks performed by men and women were many and varied. And we have also learned that because many occupations were a mixture of cottage industry and manufacturing on a larger scale, the home and field section tends to overlap with jobs in the marketplace.ContinueContinue reading “Bible Occupations: The Marketplace”
Pharaoh’s Idol {Egypt’s Deep Blue River}
The sky was rosy with the rising sun as Pharaoh and his court went out to the Nile for his morning washing and worship where he found Moses and Aaron waiting for him. “Go out,” God had told Moses, “and wait beside the Nile for the king. Tell him to let my people go into theContinueContinue reading “Pharaoh’s Idol {Egypt’s Deep Blue River}”