A careful reading of the Bible provides indications that the Israelite didn’t only worship their God in Jerusalem. In fact, archaeological research in the Shephelah and the Negev yielded intriguing evidence of Judean worship in those areas as well. This specially designed tour will follow the pioneering research of archaeologist Y. Aharoni. It will show the discoveries he made, and the controversies of their meaning. Prepare your incense and animal sacrifice!
Biblical Arad is in southern Judea, at the junction of significant roads in ancient times. The Bible records how the Canaanites of Arad blocked the Israelites from entering the Promised Land (Numbers 6). Later, Arad became a southern frontier of the Judean Kingdom. Excavations at the Tel Arad yielded many finds relating both to Canaanites and Israelites. The Canaanite citadel of Arad was converted to a Judean fortress. One of its rooms contained rare documents, bearing valuable information about daily life at this post, and the Edomite threat. But more surprising was the discovery of a temple in its western wing. It had an altar, and its holy of holies bore two standing stones. Who was worshiped here?
According to the book of Genesis, Abraham founded Beer-Sheva. To this day, a tamarisk tree next to a well in modern Beer-Sheva. is said to be the one Abraham planted (Genesis 21:33). Tel Be’er Sheva is a biblical site 3 miles northeast of Abraham’s Well. The site was possibly a regional center in Biblical times and was found with many storage halls. But one of the most surprising discoveries made at the site was evidence of a dismantled four-horned altar. Initially the altar was probably set in a room next to the main gate. However, at some point in time, it was deliberately desecrated. Its abolishment is attributed to the religious reforms of King Hezekiah or King Josiah. This site is further evidence of the localized rituals of the Judeans in Biblical times.
Horned altars are also found in Canaanite and philistine shrines, but in philistine temple the altar had only two horns.
Lachish was a major Canaanite and Israelite site in the southern end of the Shephelah. Lachish is also famous for the detailed depiction of its conquest by Sennacherib in 701 BCE. Found in the foundation of his palace in Iraq, today, these reliefs are on display at the British Museum. Excavations at Lachish uncovered dramatic evidence of the Assyrian assault. They also uncovered evidence of local Judaic rituals. The main discovery is temple, designed in a Canaanite and Israelite style, and facing west. It dated to the Persian period, but in an adjacent favissa, concealed cultic objects from the Iron Age were discovered.
Furthermore, in recent years a horned altar was found in the city’s gate. It seems that once it was gone out of use, the horns were cut off and a latrine was placed next to it. What is the meaning of all of this??
We will end the tour with a detailed discussion on this fascinating topic.
