Current Events Articles: March 2017

Dr. Bryant Wood's Research on the Hittites Incorporated Into New Bible Translation posted by Bryan Windle

B&H Publishing Group recently completed a revision of the Holman Standard Christian Bible, renaming it the Christian Standard Bible (CSB). It is the first Bible translation to incorporate the research of ABR's Dr. Bryant Wood, published in 2011, in translating the various Hebrew terms that are generally rendered as "Hittites" (previously translated as "Hethites" in all English translations prior to the Geneva Bible, first published in 1560).
Hethites chart
The appearance of "Hittites" in the Bible has been a historical conundrum as there is little archaeological evidence for existence of the Indo-European people group from Anatolia, known as Hittites, residing in Canaan at the time the Bible describes. Dr. Wood's research showed that the majority of the Hebrew terms for "Hittites" (the singular forms) should be translated "Hethites," the indigenous descendants of Heth, son of Canaan (Gen. 10:15), while a small number (six plural forms) refer to the Hittites of Anatolia, modern Turkey. This solution, based on linguistic and archaeological evidence, refutes the claims of critics that the references to "Hittites" in the Bible are anachronistic or mistakes. It appears that the most famous "Hittite" in the Bible, Uriah, the husband of Bathsheba, was actually a "Hethite."

Link:
- www.biblearchaeology.org/post/2011/11/08/Hittites-and-Hethites-A-Proposed-Solution-to-an-Etymological-Conundrum.aspx

Road to Emmaus Being Destroyed posted by Bryan Windle

In a recent article in Jerusalem Perspective entitled, "A Farewell to the Roman Road," David Bivin documents the slow destruction of the ancient Roman road from Jerusalem to Emmaus. This destruction is a result of neglect, erosion, the building of sewage systems and the expansion of a cemetery. Bivin begins his article by seeking to identify the town of Emmaus described in the gospel of Luke with Motza-Qalunya, although he acknowledges the early tradition of Emmaus-Nicopolis as the biblical Emmaus. He notes that both towns lie on the road that is falling into disrepair and decay, and is the likely route the disciples took to Emmaus on the day of Jesus' resurrection. Bivin is hoping to call attention to the state of this Roman road, in hopes that authorities will act to preserve these important ruins.

Off-site Links:
- http://blog.bibleplaces.com/2017/03/the-destruction-of-road-to-emmaus.html
- http://www.jerusalemperspective.com/16208/

Ancient Palace Discovered Underneath the Tomb of Jonah posted by Bryan Windle

Archaeologists in Iraq have been documenting ISIS's destruction of the purported tomb of Jonah, which they blew up soon after their seizure of the area in 2014. They discovered that ISIS had dug tunnels under the shrine and into the previously unknown palace of Sennacherib and Esarhaddon. While investigating the tunnels, archaeologists found a cuneiform inscription of King Esarhaddon, dating to 672 BC. In another tunnel, an Assyrian stone sculpture of a demi-goddess was discovered. This is the first evidence of ISIS tunneling in ancient mounds in search of artifacts to plunder and sell on the antiquities market. Archaeologists are working against time to document as many of the finds as possible, since the tunnels look ready to collapse soon. 2 Kings 18 and 19 describe Sennacherib's unsuccessful attack on Jerusalem, his murder, and how Esarhaddon eventually came to the throne.

Off-site Links:
- http://www.timesofisrael.com/islamic-state-looting-uncovers-ancient-palace-beneath-jonahs-tomb/
- http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/02/27/previously-untouched-600bc-palace-discovered-shrine-demolished/
- http://www.foxnews.com/science/2017/03/06/biblical-kings-palace-uncovered-beneath-shrine-destroyed-by-isis.html

See ABR’s Dr. Scott Stripling on “Expedition Unknown” posted by Bryan Windle

Dr. Scott Stripling, Director of ABR’s Shiloh Expedition, will be featured this week on the Travel Channel’s program, “Expedition Unknown.” It airs on Wednesday, March 8, 2017 at 9pm EST. In this week’s episode, host Josh Gates goes in search of the Ark of the Covenant. Dr. Stripling will be discussing biblical Shiloh and how it relates to the Ark of the Covenant.

Don’t miss out on this chance to learn more about the Ark, as well as discover fascinating facts about Shiloh. The Associates for Biblical Research will be leading an excavation to Shiloh this coming summer. You can learn more about the opportunity to “Dig Shiloh” at our link below.

Off-site Links:

- http://www.travelchannel.com/schedule.2017.03.08.EST
- http://www.travelchannel.com/shows/expedition-unknown
- http://www.biblearchaeology.org/page/Join-Us-In-Our-Excavations-at-Biblical-Shiloh.aspx

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