Research Articles: All posts tagged 'conquest'

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Zebulun by the Sea? Zebulun's Mysterious Borders 7/18/2018 - by Col. (Ret.) David G. Hansen PhD

After the Tabernacle was moved from the vicinity of Gilgal in the Jordan Valley to Shiloh in the Hill Country (Jos 18:1), seven tribes remained “who had not yet received their inheritance” (Jos 18:2)...

Digging for Truth-Episode 11: The Walls of Jericho (Part Two) 6/21/2018 - by Bryant G. Wood PhD

Did the Walls of Jericho come tumbling down at the time indicated in the book of Joshua? Join co-host Scott Lanser as he explores this question with expert archaeologist Dr. Bryant Wood in part two of this two part interview.

Digging for Truth-Episode 10: The Walls of Jericho (Part One) 6/15/2018 - by Scott Lanser MA

Did the Walls of Jericho come tumbling down at the time indicated in the book of Joshua? Join co-host Scott Lanser as he explores this question with expert archaeologist Dr. Bryant Wood in part one of this two part interview.

Confessions of an Armchair Archaeologist 5/5/2016 - by Vanessa Morton

In memory of Vanessa Morton, ABR supporter, author and archaeology enthusiast, who went home to be with Christ on May 3, 2016.

"New Evidence from Underground" radio interview 2/2/2016 - by Rick Lanser MDiv

Are the stories of the Bible history, or mythology? The science of archaeology can help to provide the answer. On January 30, 2016, Kevin Conover of the Educate for Life radio program interviewed Dr. Scott Stripling and Dr. Bryant Wood of ABR.

Secrets of the Bible: The Fall of Jericho with Dr. Bryant Wood 3/19/2015 - by Bryant G. Wood PhD

The battle of Jericho is one of the bloodiest episodes of the Old Testament. It’s a fantastic tale of victory through faith—but is there any truth behind the story? Archaeologist Dr. Bryant Wood believes the physical evidence indicates the biblical account is true.

2014 Excavations at Kh. el-Maqatir: A Proposed New Location for Ai and Ephraim 3/9/2015 - by Scott Stripling DMin

ABR's ongoing excavation at Khirbet el-Maqatir in 2014 brought to light some exciting new finds.

Is It Time to Throw Away Your Bible? The Walls of Jericho Part Three 9/18/2014 - by ABR Staff

For many years, Jericho has been a "problem" in Biblical archaeology since scholars claimed that there was no city there at the time of Joshua and therefore the Bible must be in error. Here in Part Three, biblical archaeologist Dr. Bryant Wood and members of the ABR staff finish their discussion of the archaeological findings at Jericho that relate to the conquest of the Canaanite city by the Israelites.

Is It Time to Throw Away Your Bible? The Walls of Jericho Part Two 9/6/2014 - by ABR Staff

For many years, Jericho has been a "problem" in Biblical archaeology since scholars claimed that there was no city there at the time of Joshua and therefore the Bible must be in error. Here in Part Two, biblical archaeologist Dr. Bryant Wood and members of the ABR staff discuss the archaeological findings at Jericho that relate to the conquest of the Canaanite city by the Israelites.

Is It Time to Throw Away Your Bible? The Walls of Jericho Part One 8/15/2014 - by ABR Staff

For many years, Jericho has been a "problem" in Biblical archaeology since scholars claimed that there was no city there at the time of Joshua and therefore the Bible must be in error. Biblical archaeologist Dr. Bryant Wood and members of the ABR staff discuss the archaeological findings at Jericho that relate to the conquest of the Canaanite city by the Israelites.

Jericho on the History Channel Special "The Bible" 3/7/2013 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

On Sunday March 10, the History Channel will air Part Two of the five-part series, "The Bible". Last week's episode ended with a preview of Joshua and the Israelites planning to attack the Canaanite city of Jericho...

Genocide in Canaan? Part II 2/6/2013 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

ABR has conducted extensive research on the historicity of the Conquest narratives of the Old Testament. Regularly, we receive inquiries about the moral and theological dimensions of these events. Committed Christians are often perplexed about how to answer objections posed by skeptics. Those self-same skeptics often contact ABR, railing against God because of these events recorded in Scripture. This article seeks, in part, to deal with some of these issues by interacting with an article published in the book: "The Impossibility of God". Part II is found here.

Genocide in Canaan? Part I 2/1/2013 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

ABR has conducted extensive research on the historicity of the Conquest narratives of the Old Testament. Regularly, we receive inquiries about the moral and theological dimensions of these events. Committed Christians are often perplexed about how to answer objections posed by skeptics. Those self-same skeptics often contact ABR, railing against God because of these events recorded in Scripture. This article seeks, in part, to deal with some of these issues by interacting with an article published in the book: "The Impossibility of God".

Conquest Confusion at Yale 11/20/2012 - by Bryant G. Wood PhD

We recently received an email from a visitor concerning the Conquest of Canaan. He sent us an excerpt from an undergraduate course at Yale, outlining the standard liberal view on the chronology and historicity of the book of Joshua. Dr. Bryant Wood responds.

Judges: Forgotten History: Part Seven With Dr. Bryant Wood 8/23/2012 - by Bryant G. Wood PhD

Dr. Bryant Wood in a Question and Answer session on the history, chronology and archaeology from the period of the Book of Judges.

Judges: Forgotten History: Part Six With Dr. Bryant Wood 8/21/2012 - by Bryant G. Wood PhD

Dr. Bryant Wood discusses the history, chronology and archaeology from the period of the Book of Judges. In Part 6, further evidences from the Judges period are surveyed, including the Danite Migration, Shechem, Laish and the Merneptah Stela.

The Search for Ai: Audio Presentation 8/17/2012 - by Bryant G. Wood PhD

In March of 2012, Dr. Bryant Wood visited the campus of Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary. During that time, he presented ABR's research to the DBTS faculty. This audio presentation concerns ABR's work at Khirbet el-Maqatir and the City of Ai from Joshua 7 and 8.

Judges: Forgotten History: Part Five With Dr. Bryant Wood 8/16/2012 - by Bryant G. Wood PhD

Dr. Bryant Wood discusses the history, chronology and archaeology from the period of the Book of Judges. In part 5, the connection between Pharaoh Akhenaten and Canaan is made, particularly through the Amarna letters, which speak of a group of people in the land of Canaan called the "Apiru".

Judges: Forgotten History: Part Four With Dr. Bryant Wood 8/13/2012 - by Bryant G. Wood PhD

Dr. Bryant Wood discusses the history, chronology and archaeology from the period of the Book of Judges. In part 4, the connection between Pharaoh Akhenaten and Canaan is made, particularly through the Amarna letters, which speak of a group of people in the land of Canaan called the "Apiru"

Judges: Forgotten History: Part Three With Dr. Bryant Wood 8/6/2012 - by Bryant G. Wood PhD

Dr. Bryant Wood of the Associates for Biblical Research discusses the history, chronology and archaeology from the period of the Book of Judges. Part 3 continues to focus on a structure found at Jericho that could be the palace of Eglon, King of Moab.

Judges: Forgotten History: Part Two With Dr. Bryant Wood 8/1/2012 - by Bryant G. Wood PhD

Dr. Bryant Wood walks the audience through the archaeological evidence pertaining to the book of Judges, an oft forgotten book in the Old Testament. Part two focuses on a structure found at Jericho that could be the palace of Eglon, King of Moab.

Judges: Forgotten History: Part One With Dr. Bryant Wood 7/27/2012 - by Bryant G. Wood PhD

Dr. Bryant Wood walks the audience through the archaeological evidence pertaining to the book of Judges, an oft-forgotten book in the Old Testament.

Outstanding Finds Made at Khirbet el-Maqatir: May 28–June 8, 2012 7/17/2012 - by Bryant G. Wood PhD

The tenth excavation season of the ABR-sponsored dig at Khirbet el-Maqatir was conducted from May 28 to June 8, 2012, under the direction of the author.[1] The following report provides readers with the most up to date information from our excavations in Israel as we continue to uncover evidence related to the events of Joshua chapters 7-8.

Khirbet el-Maqatir: Week Two 2012 6/14/2012 - by Gary Byers MA

At our final debriefing on Friday evening June 8th, Dig Director Dr. Bryant Wood, noted that this was probably the most productive season in our 10-year excavation at Khirbet el-Maqatir (KeM) in relation to illuminating all 4 occupation periods at our site – Late Bronze 1 (time of Joshua), Iron Age 1 (period of the Judges), Early Roman (New Testament time) and the Byzantine period (5th century AD).

Khirbet el-Maqatir: Week One 2012 6/4/2012 - by Gary Byers MA

With our dig team of almost 40 people, this may have been our most productive and interesting week in 10 years of our excavation. With 15 squares open we have found stuff from the time of Joshua (15th century BC) to the Byzantines (5th century AD).

Excavations at Khirbet el-Maqatir: 1995 to 2000 and 2009 to 2011 4/4/2012 - by Bryant G. Wood PhD

"A Border Fortress in the Highlands of Canaan and a Proposed New Location for the Ai of Joshua 7–8."

Dating Jericho's Destruction: Bienkowski is Wrong on All Counts 3/28/2012 - by Bryant G. Wood PhD

In 1990, Dr. Bryant Wood published his well known article in Biblical Archaeology Review (BAR) on the destruction of Jericho and its correlation with the Biblical account. In the Sep./Oct. 1990 issue of BAR, Piotr Bienkowski wrote an article disputing Dr. Wood's conclusions. The following article engages with Bienkowski's criticisms, providing the reader with an in-depth analysis of some of the work done at Jericho, and demonstrating Dr. Wood's expertise and thorough familiarity with the evidence. This article provides some additional data not published in Dr. Wood's first BAR article, thus adding to the mountain of evidence demonstrating that Jericho was destroyed around 1400 B.C., the same time the Bible records that the events of Joshua 3-6 took place.

Digging Up Joshua's Ai: The 2009–2010 Seasons at Khirbet el-Maqatir 3/9/2012 - by Bryant G. Wood PhD

After a hiatus of nine years due to political unrest in Israel, the Associates for Biblical Research resumed excavations at Kh. el-Maqatir for a seventh season May 22–June 5, 2009, and an eighth season May 24–June 4, 2010, under the direction of the author. In 2009, 23 volunteers from the US and Canada, plus a number of local residents participated. In 2010, 38 volunteers from the US, Australia and Israel made up the dig team. The site is located in the West Bank 9 mi (15 km) north of Jerusalem. Finds continue to support the identification of the site as the Ai of Joshua 7–8.

Join ABR on the Dig in Israel 1/30/2012 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

The location of Joshua's Ai has been a matter of mystery and controversy since the beginnings of archaeological research in Israel. Scholars have concluded that the location of Joshua’s Ai is at et-Tell. They have also used this conclusion to discredit the Biblical account of Joshua 7-8 because there is no evidence of occupation at et-Tell during the time of Joshua. We believe they are incorrect, not the Bible.

New Evidence Supporting the Early (Biblical) Date of the Exodus and Conquest 11/11/2011 - by Bryant G. Wood PhD

Evangelical scholars are divided as to when the Exodus-Conquest events took place—some say the 15th century BC, while others hold to the 13th century BC.

The Search for Joshua's Ai: Digging in Israel with ABR 10/18/2011 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

"Ai is simply an embarrassment to every view of the conquest that takes the biblical and archaeological evidence seriously." Or at least, that is what many of the critics say...

The Search for Joshua’s Ai at Khirbet el-Maqatir 2011 7/18/2011 - by Gary Byers MA

The 9th season of the Associates for Biblical Research’s (ABR) excavation at Khirbet el-Maqatir was held in May and June, 2011. All 9 seasons have been sponsored by ABR and under the direction of Dr. Bryant Wood. Located 9 miles north of Jerusalem in Israel’s West Bank, we call this dig “The Search for Joshua’s Ai at Khirbet el-Maqatir”.

New Light on the "Forgotten" Conquest 4/14/2011 - by Bryant G. Wood PhD

When one hears about the conquest, one automatically thinks about the conquest of the land west of the Jordan River described in the book of Joshua and Judges 1. The area is commonly referred to as Canaan, the Promised Land or Cisjordan. Prior to crossing the Jordan River and claiming this territory, however, Israel conquered lands east of the Jordan River in the area known as Transjordan. Although this “forgotten” conquest is described in only a few short verses in Numbers 21, with additional details given in several other passages, the territory captured was large, extending from the mid-point of the Dead Sea in the south to Mt. Hermon in the north, a straight-line distance of some 140 mi (225 km) (see map). By comparison, the distance from Dan to Beersheba in the Promised Land is about 145 mi (233 km).

Researching Jericho 4/22/2010 - by Bryant G. Wood PhD

It was not until I was doing research for my Ph.D. thesis in the early 1980s that my attention was drawn to the findings at Jericho. In reviewing all of the published pottery from the Late Bronze Age in Palestine, I came across John Garstang’s pottery from the cemetery and destruction level at Jericho. Although earlier than the focus of my thesis, I was struck by the amount of pottery he had published that dated to the Late Bronze I period (ca. 1500–1400 BC), the time of the Conquest and the very time period Kathleen Kenyon said was missing from the tell...

Recent Research on the Date and Setting of the Exodus 10/19/2009 - by Bryant G. Wood PhD

Sadly, most contemporary Biblical scholars deny the historicity of God’s miraculous deliverance of Israel from Egypt as documented in the Old Testament (Ex 2–12) and alluded to in the New Testament (Acts 7:36; Rom 9:17)...

Reflections on the 2009 Season at Hazor 8/27/2009 - by Gordon Franz MA

This year the Hazor archaeological excavation was conducted from June 21-July 31, 2009 under the able leadership of the co-directors: Professor Amnon Ben-Tor and Dr. Sharon Zuckerman. Most of our efforts for this season were concentrated in Area M on the northern slopes of the Upper City overlooking the Lower City. In charge of this area were the co-area supervisors: Sharon Zuckerman and Shlomit Becher...

Jericho Unearthed: DVD Preview 8/6/2009 - by Joel Kramer

This DVD extensively features Dr. Bryant Wood on the ground in Israel at the site of Jericho. The evidence from Jericho is presented, the basics of archaeology are explained, and the history of excavations at Jericho are also outlined. Jericho Unearthed has a cutting edge feel and presentation that is useful for Bible study, Sunday school and teaching teenagers. Jericho Unearthed can be used by Christians scholars and laymen alike as an effective witnessing tool in support of the Bible's inerrancy and historical reliability.

The ABR Excavation at Khirbet el-Maqatir: Review of Past Work and Report on the 2009 Season 7/17/2009 - by Bryant G. Wood PhD

After a hiatus of nine years, ABR has resumed work at Kh. el-Maqatir, a promising candidate for Joshua’s Ai (Joshua 7–8). The site is located approximately 9 mi north of Jerusalem and 0.6 mi west of et-Tell, the site most scholars identify as Joshua’s Ai. There is a major problem identifying et-Tell as Joshua’s Ai, however, as the site was unoccupied at the time of the Israelite Conquest of Canaan...

Traditional Site of Bethel Questioned 7/8/2009 - by David Livingston PhD

Unfortunately, Dr. Rainey has presented little for the Beitin = Bethel case that has not already been considered. He has ably restated traditional opinions regarding the location. In spite of the evidence we present in our first article, he obviously concludes we are wrong (which, of course, he has every right to do). However, we urge the reader to look carefully at all the evidence, and lack of it, and decide for himself on the basis of evidence, not votes. We urge serious readers to become familiar with our previous article...

Location of Biblical Bethel and Ai Reconsidered 6/25/2009 - by David Livingston PhD

For over a century most scholars have been agreed that the village of Beitin, north of Jerusalem, is the site of biblical Bethel. A large quantity of literature has been published based on this assumption. With such careful and painstaking work, much of it basic to an understanding of Palestinian archaeology and history, it hardly seems possible that Beitin may not actually be Bethel after all. Nevertheless, that is what we purpose...

The Biblical Date for the Exodus is 1446 BC: A Response to James Hoffmeier 3/30/2009 - by Bryant G. Wood PhD

The date of the Biblical Exodus-Conquest is clear. 1 Kgs 6:1 and 1 Chr 6:33–37 converge on a date of 1446 BC for the exodus and the Jubilees data and Judges 11:26 independently converge on a date of 1406 BC for the beginning of the conquest. The 1406 BC date is further confirmed by archaeological data from Jericho, Ai (Kh. el-Maqatir) and Hazor...

A Critical Analysis of the Evidence from Ralph Hawkins for a Late-Date Exodus-Conquest 3/16/2009 - by Bryant Wood and Rodger Young

Ralph Hawkins sidesteps the insurmountable problems associated with a late-date exodus-conquest and offers five arguments which he suggests may open up the possibility of a renewed consideration of the Late Date Exodus-Conquest as a viable choice for evangelicals...

Egyptian Domination of Canaan during Joshua/Judges 7/8/2008 - by Bryant G. Wood PhD

ABR is always pleased to help sincere seekers get sound Biblical and archaeological answers to their questions. We hope our readers will clearly see that the Bible is trustworthy...

The Walls of Jericho 6/9/2008 - by Bryant G. Wood PhD

Jericho was once thought to be a “Bible problem” because of the seeming disagreement between archaeology and the Bible. When the archaeology is correctly interpreted, however, the opposite is the case. The archaeological evidence supports the historical accuracy of the Biblical account in every detail. Every aspect of the story that could possibly be verified by the findings of archaeology is, in fact, verified...

Did the Israelites Conquer Jericho? A New Look at the Archaeological Evidence 5/1/2008 - by Bryant G. Wood PhD

The story of the Israelite conquest of Jericho (Joshua 2-6) is one of the best known and best loved in the entire Bible. The vivid description of faith and victory has been a source of inspiration for countless generations of Bible readers. But did it really happen as the Bible describes it?

Israel's Origins 10/10/2007 - by David Livingston PhD

For some time now many archaeologists, based on certain interpretations of the available evidence, have become convinced that there was no violent military assault on the land by Israel. They believe the entire account is myth...

Extra-Biblical Evidence for the Conquest 5/30/2007 - by Bryant G. Wood PhD

One of the challenges facing those who hold to a historical Conquest as presented in the book of Joshua is that there is alleged to be no other documentation for this event outside the Bible...

David Rohl's Revised Egyptian Chronology: A View From Palestine 5/23/2007 - by Bryant G. Wood PhD

David Rohl purports to have produced a better correlation between the findings of archaeology and the Bible by revising Egyptian chronology. Rohl, however, cannot so easily be brushed aside...

"The Cites are Great and Walled Up to Heaven" 1/30/2006 - by Col. (Ret.) David G. Hansen PhD

One of the most vociferously attacked historical accounts in the Bible is the Old Testament description of the Israelite Conquest of Canaan as recorded in the book of Joshua. According to many critics, the archaeological evidence does not support either the Biblical version or date of the Conquest events...

The Bible, Archaeology and the Study of Military Affairs 10/24/2005 - by Col. (Ret.) David G. Hansen PhD

Almost all scholars of the art and science of warfare believe that the basic principles of war, strategy and tactics have changed little throughout time. Most will concede that...

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