The Patriarchs and History

1
The Patriarchs and History

• The Patriarchs in their ancient Near Eastern
  Environment

2
Are the patriarchs only literary figures?

• Seeking support for patriarchs as real people.
• Archaeology and the patriarchs
• Finding parallels to practices of the patriarchs

3
NUZI

• City near Tigris (near Haran)
• Documents from 15th century BC
• Hurrian/Horite civilization
• Practices similar to Genesis slave adoption

4
Methodology

• Use care many customs from few Nuzi texts
• Need to show they are typical
• Often record extraordinary, not ordinary
• Useful to show other examples of biblical customs
  (special place of blessing for firstborn)
• Explain poorly understood

5
Misuses

• Not adequately understanding.
• Looking for typical in what is in fact atypical.
• Trying to date by customs.
• Lack of established dynamics of relationship.
• DOES show that Patriarchs are not completely out
  of step with their relative place and times.

6
What did Abram Leave when he left Ur?

• Architecture ziggurat- worship pyramid for
  mountain deities.
• Where is Israels God worshiped?
• View on humanity slave or image?God to be feared
  vs God of love
• Long standing culture vs new life with
  longstanding (creator) God

7
Joseph in Egypt

• Egyptian customs in Joseph story
• Implications