Saturday, June 13, 2009

Archeology Solves A Biblical Textual Difficulty

In this Shabbat's Haftara reading, Joshua 2, we read:

15 Then she let them down by a cord through the window; for her house was upon the side of the wall, and she dwelt upon the wall.

What does that mean? That Rahab actually lived in the wall or nearby?

Well, this picture I took at Tel Shiloh seems to provide an answer:

The wall, here 5 meters broad, was at some time emptied out of its fill and rooms were built into it. The same was probably done at Jericho.

Quite simple, actually.

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