Yearly Archives: 2010

What happens after the olives are harvested?

Posted on September 6, 2010 | 1 comment

Oded Borowski says the grape vines and the olive trees were the main fruit trees cultivated by Israelite farmers.

The main product of the vine was wine; olives were grown for oil. Both of these products were produced in special installations (winepress and olive press, respectively) as part of the harvesting season. The end products were stored in jars for local use, for barter, and for tax payments. The latter is well attested by the Samaria ostraca, which record the quantities of oil and wine received at the collection center in Samaria. Biblical and extrabiblical references indicate that there were different types and grades of wine and oil. (Daily Life in Biblical Times, 29)

The fresh olives are placed on one stone and crushed by rolling another stone over them. The olive is really between a rock and a hard place. The large top stone (the crushing stone) is turned by a person or an animal causing the stone to roll over the olives that have been placed on a hewn stone installation. The photo below was made at the Nazareth Village.

Olive crusher at Nazareth Village. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Olive crusher at Nazareth Village. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

The olive crusher is most often seen outside near the olives. Here is a stone at Gezer. The view is toward the coastal plain.

Olive crusher at Gezer with view toward Coastal Plain. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Olive crusher at Gezer with view toward Coastal Plain. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Once the olives are crushed the pulp is put into bags or baskets with holes in the side. Heavy weights are placed on the bags to squeeze out the oil. This photo shows a simple oil press set up at Hazor.

Simple Olive Press at Hazor. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Simple Olive Press at Hazor. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

The archaeological excavations at Tel Mikne/Ekron revealed that the city was a large industrial oil production center. Only a few of these vats are visible at the site today. The tell is partially cultivated and the rest is overgrown. The small museum at the nearby kibbutz is closed and all of the artifacts have been moved to Ashdod. I was told that they are not on display at this time.

Crushing basin with a pressing vat on either side. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Crushing basin with a pressing vat on either side. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Based on the excavations, artist Balage has drawn the olive oil production center at Tel Mikne/Ekron.

Olive oil production at Ekron. Art by Balage, Archaeology Illustrated.

Olive oil production at Ekron. Art by Balage, Archaeology Illustrated.

Once the oil is retrieved it is stored in large ceramic jars. When Gedaliah became governor of Judah after the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem he told the residents to “gather wine and summer fruits and oil, and store them in your vessels” (Jeremiah 40:9-10).

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Iron Age Hadad temple found in Jordan

Posted on September 2, 2010 | Leave a comment

Major news sources are reporting the discovery of a 3,000-year-old Iron Age temple from Khirbet ‘Ataroz near the town of Madaba (close to Mount Nebo and about 20 miles SW of Amman). The head of the Jordanian Antiquities Department said the find dates to the 8th century B.C. (a little shy of the 3,000 years mentioned by the news sources). Here are a few comments from the AP article.

He said the complex boasts a main room that measures 388 square feet (36 square meters), as well as two antechambers and an open courtyard.

The sanctuary and its artifacts — hewn from limestone and basalt or molded from clay and bronze — show the complex religious rituals of Jordan’s ancient biblical Moabite kingdom, according to al-Saad.”

Today we have the material evidence, the archaeological proof of the level of advancement of technology and civilization at that period of time,” he said.

The Moabites, whose kingdom ran along present-day Jordan’s mountainous eastern shore of the Dead Sea, were closely related to the Israelites, although the two were in frequent conflict. The Babylonians eventually conquered the Moabites in 582 B.C.

Archaeologists also unearthed some 300 pots, figurines of deities and sacred vessels used for worship at the site. Al-Saad said it was rare to discover so many Iron Age items in one place.

The article continues,

Among the items on display Wednesday, there was a four-legged animal god Hadad, as well as delicate circular clay vessels used in holy rites. Al-Saad said the objects indicate the Moabites worshipped many deities and had a highly organized ritual use of temples.

The AP report, with small photos of some of the artifacts, may be read here. The typical news reports fail to give adequate information about the discovery. In these cases, we wait for scholarly information.

Below I have a quotation from the revised ISBE giving a brief explanation about Hadad.

An alternative name for Baal, the head of the Canaanite pantheon, whose worship was expressed in fertility rites. The storm-god Hadad is mentioned in Assyrian inscriptions, and called on the monolith of Shalmaneser “the god of Aleppo.” In the Assyrian inscriptions he is identified with the air-god Rimmon. The union of the two names in Zec. 12:11 suggests this identity. (Hovey and Harrison, The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Revised (Eerdmans, 1988; 2002). 2:590-591.)

Several thing should be noted by the Bible student.

  • Hadad is the Baal of the Old Testament.
  • Hadad is called the “god of Aleppo.”
  • Hadad is identified with Baal from discoveries at Ras Shamra (Ugarit).
  • The Israelites were warned not to “inquire about” the gods of the nations of Canaan, saying “How did these nations serve their gods?–that I also may do the same” (Deuteronomy 12:30). If you are reading this post you probably know what happened.

A few years ago I visited the archaeological museum in Aleppo. The entrance is decorated with replicas of the god Hadad (think Baal) standing on a bull

Hadad on a Bull. Aleppo Syria Museum. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Hadad on a Bull. Aleppo Syria Museum. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

HT: Joseph Lauer

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Olive harvesting

Posted on September 1, 2010 | 1 comment

The Mosaic law gave instructions about certain daily agricultural activities such as the gathering of grapes and the harvesting of olives.

When you beat your olive trees, you shall not go over them again. It shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow. (Deuteronomy 24:20 ESV)

Notice the reference to beating the olive trees here and in Isaiah 17:6. I have seen this in Italy, but have not been in Israel at the time of harvesting. Thanks to the generous use policy of Todd Bolen’s Pictorial Library of Bible Lands I am able to use this photo he made in the Shephelah. I encourage you to buy the entire set for use in your church or school classes.

Olive harvesting in the Shephelah. Photo courtesy: BiblePlaces.com.

Olive harvesting in the Shephelah. Photo courtesy BiblePlaces.com.

King and Stager describe the olive tree, the necessary climate, and the length of time necessary for trees to produce olives.

The hardy, long-lived olive tree is an evergreen growing five to eight meters high and with a trunk up to one meter wide. Found mainly in the highlands and in the foothills between the coastal plain and the central mountain range, the olive tree thrives in the rocky, shallow soil of the hillsides during the Mediterranean’s hot, dry summers and cool, rainy winters. It requires an average annual temperature of fifteen degrees centigrade (fifty-nine degrees fahrenheit). Because olives can be grown on mountain slopes with very little soil, the tree does not compete with cereals for fertile, arable soil. The olive tree grows in the Levant but not in Egypt or Mesopotamia, because a certain chill, needed to cause the olives to mature, cannot be achieved in the warmer climes. It takes years for olive trees to mature to full, producing trees, and then they bear fruit only every other year. It is commonly said that one plants an olive yard not for one’s self but for one’s grandchildren. Trees begin to flower only after five or six years. (Life in Biblical Israel, 95-96)

William Albright translated the first line of the Gezer Calendar (925 B.C.) this way,

His two months are (olive) harvest

The time of harvest may vary depending on the type of olive and the particular place. In Israel and the Palestinian West Bank we think of October and November as the two months of harvest.

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Cupid cameo found in Jerusalem

Posted on August 31, 2010 | Leave a comment

The 11th Annual City of David Archaeology Conference is scheduled for Wednesday, September 1. One item that will be discussed is the recently discovered 2,000 year old semi-precious cameo with an image of Cupid (the Eros of Greek mythology) on it.

Cupid Cameo found in Jerusalem.

Cupid Cameo found in Jerusalem. Photo IAA/Clara Amit.

This inlaid stone is of the “Eros in mourning” type, and is one of a group of visual motifs connected with the imagery of mourning practices. Jewelry bearing such motifs – earrings and rings, were not necessarily worn only in mourning rites, rather, they also served as memento mori, reminders of the fleeting nature of life.

The cameo, which is thought to have come from a piece of jewelry, is 0.39 in. long and 0.03 in. wide. It was discovered in the Givati Parking lot excavation under the direction of Dr. Doron Ben Ami and Yana Tchekhanovets.

We have noted other surprising discoveries in this area here and here. The area is not open to the public. Last May I made this photo through a hole which had been made (by someone else) in the metal fence surrounding the area. This site is immediately south of the old city wall, a few hundred feet east of Dung Gate. Needless to say, construction of the garage has been delayed. This is what happens when one begins to dig in Jerusalem.

Givati Garage Excavations. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Givati Garage Excavations. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Eros. William Barclay often mentions erōs when he comments on a text dealing with love. You recall the four words: agape, philia, storgé, and erōs. Barclay says,

There is the noun erōs and the accompanying verb eran. These words describe the love of a man for a maid; there is always passion in them; and there is always sexual love. Sophocles described erōs as “the terrible longing.” In these words there is nothing essentially bad; they simply describe the passion of human love; but as time went on they began to be tinged with the idea of lust rather than love, and they never occur in the New Testament at all. (The Gospel of Matthew at Matthew 5:43-48)

HT: Joseph I. Lauer

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Posted in Archaeology, Bible Places, Bible Study, Israel, New Testament

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The Olive – first among the trees

Posted on August 30, 2010 | 1 comment

The promised land, which the Israelites were about to enter, is described as a land of trees and crops.

a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and honey, a land in which you will eat bread without scarcity, in which you will lack nothing, a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills you can dig copper. (Deuteronomy 8:8-9 ESV)

Note that the land is a “land of olive oil.” In addition to using the olive for food, and in cooking, several other uses are mentioned in the Bible.

  • Oil for anointing the body – Deuteronomy 28:40.
  • Oil for anointing sheep – Psalm 23:5.
  • Medication – Isaiah 1:6; Mark 6:13.
  • Anointing priests, et al. – Exodus 29:7; Psalm 133.
  • Oiling the shields of war – Isaiah 21:5.

When an unworthy man by the name of Abimelech promoted himself to be the king of his people, Jotham went up on Mount Gerizim and spoke to the leaders of Shechem. The full story is in Judges 9. In Jotham’s parable (or fable) the trees of the forest called on various trees to rule over them. The trees first called on the olive tree to reign over them (v. 8). Look at the words of the olive tree as he excused himself.

But the olive tree said to them, ‘Shall I leave my abundance, by which gods and men are honored, and go hold sway over the trees?’ (Judges 9:9 ESV)

After that, the fig and the vine likewise excused themselves. Finally, the worthless bramble accepted their offer boasting of what he could do for them.

The photo below is a rather typical scene in the central mountain range of Palestine/Israel. Rather than the vast acres of olives trees in a row, like I have seen in Spain, these are scattered. A few other trees are mixed among the olives.

Scattered olive grove on a hill below Mar Elias Monastery. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Scattered olive grove on a hill below Mar Elias Monastery. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Mar Elias Monastery is located on the east side of the main road between Jerusalem and Bethlehem. One religious tradition from the Byzantine period has it that Mary rested at this place on her way to Bethlehem. Another has it that Mary stopped here for water on the flight to Egypt and water flowed from a rock. See The Holy Land by Murphy-O’Connor for more info.

The next photo is of terraced olive groves in the central mountain range south of Shiloh.

Terraced olive groves south of Shiloah. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Terraced olive groves south of Shiloh. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Presentation quality photos are available by clicking on the images above.

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Paul’s illustration of the olive tree in Romans 11

Posted on August 27, 2010 | 5 comments

The illustration used by Paul in Romans 11 to describe the relation between the Jews and the Gentiles is both memorable and instructive.

17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree,
18 do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you.
19 Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.”
20 That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear.
21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you.
22 Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off.
23 And even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again.
24 For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree. (Romans 11:17-24 ESV)

His point is simple. The Jews were cut off because of their unbelief. Gentiles were grafted in through their faith in Christ. The Jews may again be a part of the tree by accepting Christ. In the photo below we see that new branches have been grafted in the older, well-rooted stump.

Olive tree with grafts at Nazareth Village. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Olive tree with grafts at Nazareth Village. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

In this close view one can see distinctly the grafting of the “wild olive shoot” into the old stump to be able to “now share the nourishing root of the olive tree.”

Grafts on an old olive stump. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Grafts on an old olive stump. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Paul addresses the problem of arrogance on the part of Gentile Christians. He reminds them that, as branches, they are dependent on the root.

do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you. (Romans 11:18 ESV)

Remember that Jesus is the root of David (Revelation 5:5; 22:16). He informed the woman of Samaria that “salvation is from the Jews” (John 4:22 ESV).

In directing tours I have encountered a few guides who think that a Christian group is interested only in “Christian sites.” This is far from true. In most of our churches the majority of the classes at any given time will be from the Old Testament.

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. (Romans 15:4 ESV)

Click on the photos for images large enough for use in your teaching.

More to come about the uses of the olive and oil production.

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The Olive Tree

Posted on August 26, 2010 | 3 comments

What is the first tree mentioned by name in the Bible? After a visit to the art museum one might say, “the apple.” But there is nothing about the apple in Genesis. I don’t mean the “tree of the knowledge of good and evil” either.

The first is the fig. Adam and Eve tried to cover their nakedness by sewing together fig leaves.

Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths (Genesis 3:7 ESV)

I really want to write about the second tree named in Scripture. It is the 0live. After the flood, Noah sent out a dove to see if the water had receded.

And the dove came back to him in the evening, and behold, in her mouth was a freshly plucked olive leaf. So Noah knew that the waters had subsided from the earth. (Genesis 8:11 ESV)

The land of Canaan, promised by the LORD to Abraham and his descendants, was to be a land that included figs and olives.

a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and honey (Deuteronomy 8:8 ESV)

Olive trees flourish in the mountainous terrain of the land of Canaan/Israel/Palestine (this is not a political discussion). Here are some photos of olive trees. The first is one of the older trees in the traditional Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives. In fact, it appears that two trees grew together.

An older Olive trees in the traditional Garden of Gethsemane. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

An older Olive trees in the traditional Garden of Gethsemane. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Here are a few trees at Sepphoris in Galilee.

Olive Trees at Sepphoris in Galilee. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Olive Trees at Sepphoris in Galilee. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

And this photo is a close up of a branch and some of the leaves. The photo was made at Neot Kedumim in the Shephelah of Israel.

Olive Branches at in the Shephelah of Israel. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Olive Branches at in the Shephelah of Israel. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Later we will follow up with more about the uses of the olive.

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Posted in Bible Lands, Bible Places, Bible Study, Israel, Old Testament, Photography

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The Queen of the coin

Posted on August 25, 2010 | Leave a comment

Last week we posted a note about the discovery of a rare Ptolemaic gold coin at Tel Kedesh in northern Israel. See here.

Gold coin of Arsinoë Philadelphus (II) discovered at Tel Kedesh. Photo by Sue Webb, courtesy IAA.

Gold coin of Arsinoë Philadelphus (II) discovered at Tel Kedesh. Photo by Sue Webb, courtesy IAA.

If you would like to read about a truly mixed up family, I suggest you read Judith Weingarten’s post on “The Uppity Queen Arsinoë II” at Zenobia: Empress of the East blog here. I think this story tops almost anything I have read. It is too complicated for me to try to retell it in a few words. It will be especially helpful in speaking with those who think today’s culture is the worse the world has ever known.

HT: Paleojudaica

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Posted in Archaeology, blog, Culture, Egypt, Israel

The Watchtower

Posted on August 24, 2010 | Leave a comment

Recently we wrote about the Valley of Beracah here. The biblical account says Judah came out to the watchtower or observation post to see the overnight progress of the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Edom.

When Judah came to the watchtower [lookout, NAU; observation post, NET] of the wilderness, they looked toward the horde, and behold, there were dead bodies lying on the ground; none had escaped. (2 Chronicles 20:24 ESV)

Watchtower at Nazareth Village. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Watchtower at Nazareth Village. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

The prophet Isaiah speaks of a watchtower built in the midst of a vineyard.

Let me sing for my beloved my love song concerning his vineyard: My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill. He dug it and cleared it of stones, and planted it with choice vines; he built a watchtower in the midst of it, and hewed out a wine vat in it; and he looked for it to yield grapes, but it yielded wild grapes. And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah, judge between me and my vineyard. (Isaiah 5:1-3 ESV)

Our photo was made at Nazareth Village, a must stop on your next visit to Israel. (I note that the web site is temporarily offline.) Click on the photo for an image large enough to use in presentations.

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Recent photos from Magdala

Posted on August 22, 2010 | Leave a comment

Several times in the past three years we have called attention to the site of Magdala (Migdal). Last September we noted announcement by the Israel Antiquities Authority of the discovery of a synagogue from the Second Temple period (50 BCE—100 CE).

A synagogue from the Second Temple period (50 BCE—100 CE) was exposed in archaeological excavations the Israel Antiquities Authority is conducting at a site slated for the construction of a hotel on Migdal [Magdala] beach, in an area owned by the Ark New Gate Company. In the middle of the synagogue is a stone that is engraved with a seven-branched menorah (candelabrum), the likes of which have never been seen. The excavations were directed by archaeologists Dina Avshalom-Gorni and Arfan Najar of the Israel Antiquities Authority.

The town of Magdala is not mentioned in the Bible, but Mary Magdalene is mentioned a total of 12 times in the four gospels. This place may have been her birthplace or her home. A few late manuscripts mention Magdala (Matthew 15:39 KJV), but earlier manuscripts read Magadan. Magdala is located about 4 miles north of Tiberias on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee.

The Hebrew word Magdala means tower. In New Testament times the city had become Hellenized and bore the Greek name Tarichea because of the importance of the salted-fish industry there. Mendel Nun located a harbor at the site. He says,

“In ancient times, pickled sardines were an important element of diet throughout the country–especially for those who lived near the lake” (BAR, Nov/Dec 1993).

Josephus had his headquarters at Magdala during the first Jewish Revolt against Rome (A.D. 66-70). He was able to get a group of at least 230 boats to go from Magdala to Tiberias (Jewish Wars 2.635-637). Vespasian attacked the town from the sea and destroyed it.

Magdala with Mount Arbel to the West. Photo by Jim Joyner.

Magdala with Mount Arbel to the West. Photo by Jim Joyner.

Recently Jim Joyner, one of our readers, offered to share a few of his photos made at Magdala earlier this year. The photo above shows part of the residential area of Magdala with Mount Arbel in the distance to the west. The synagogue excavation is under the tent in the distance. The Sea of Galilee would be to our back.

Jim explains,

The residences were first excavated. Eventually the remains of a synagogue were discovered. It was a magnificent discovery! The walls of the synagogue are clear, and the places where seats were located in the synagogue are obvious.  The walls were beautifully frescoed, and the remains of the colors are still obvious on the uncovered portions of the walls.

The Magdala/Migdal Synagogue. Photo by Jim Joyner.

The Magdala/Migdal Synagogue. Photo by Jim Joyner.

Thanks, Jim. We look forward to seeing more of these great photos.

We wrote about the Magdala Excavation Project here.

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