B
Babylonia.
In 587 BCE the Babylonians invaded the land God had given the Israelites and took control from the Assyrians who had invaded it in 722 BCE. They seized Jerusalem, destroyed the Temple and deported many of the well-educated political and religious Israelite leaders to Babylon. Babylonians believed in more than one god (they were polytheistic) and they had their own account of creation, called the Enuma Elish. In the Enuma Elish the gods fight to gain power from each other, finally creating humans to be their slaves. (see Enuma Elish)
In 587 BCE the Babylonians invaded the land God had given the Israelites and took control from the Assyrians who had invaded it in 722 BCE. They seized Jerusalem, destroyed the Temple and deported many of the well-educated political and religious Israelite leaders to Babylon. Babylonians believed in more than one god (they were polytheistic) and they had their own account of creation, called the Enuma Elish. In the Enuma Elish the gods fight to gain power from each other, finally creating humans to be their slaves. (see Enuma Elish)
Babylonian Exile
The period from March 597 BCE when significant numbers of Jewish people were forcibly removed from Israel to Babylonia, until April 538, a period of approximately 60 years.
The period from March 597 BCE when significant numbers of Jewish people were forcibly removed from Israel to Babylonia, until April 538, a period of approximately 60 years.
Baptism
The people of Israel believed that the messiah would call people to turn their lives around and live ‘in righteousness’ - in keeping with God’s desires for them. Baptism would be the sign they would use to show that they intended to live differently.
The people of Israel believed that the messiah would call people to turn their lives around and live ‘in righteousness’ - in keeping with God’s desires for them. Baptism would be the sign they would use to show that they intended to live differently.
Bethlehem
Bethlehem was in the southern region of Judea about 5 miles (8 kms) south of Jerusalem. Judea is sandy and rocky.
Bethlehem is named by the prophet Micah as the town from where ‘the one who is to rule in Israel’ will come. (Micah 5:2) The name Bethlehem literally means ‘house of bread.’
The two towns were about 80 miles apart. People travelling large distances, particularly for common reasons, usually travelled in groups called ‘caravans’ to minimise danger from robbers or animals. Travelling together also gave a social aspect to the journey which probably took from between 4 days to a week on foot.
(Want a web-map? Go to http://jesuscentral.com/ji/GIFS/palestine100.gif.)
Bethlehem was in the southern region of Judea about 5 miles (8 kms) south of Jerusalem. Judea is sandy and rocky.
Bethlehem is named by the prophet Micah as the town from where ‘the one who is to rule in Israel’ will come. (Micah 5:2) The name Bethlehem literally means ‘house of bread.’
The two towns were about 80 miles apart. People travelling large distances, particularly for common reasons, usually travelled in groups called ‘caravans’ to minimise danger from robbers or animals. Travelling together also gave a social aspect to the journey which probably took from between 4 days to a week on foot.
(Want a web-map? Go to http://jesuscentral.com/ji/GIFS/palestine100.gif.)
Betrothed
Girls married young, at about 14, and were subject to the authority of their husbands. Husbands were chosen for daughters by their fathers.
For the Hebrews, engagement was a binding commitment, formally affirmed at the wedding. (Deut 22:23) Marriage began with a betrothal, a promise formally recognised by the two fathers in the signing a contract, and in the giving of a gift by the prospective groom to his future bride.
The actual marriage usually did not take place until between nine and twelve months after the betrothal. During the engagement a man could refer to his betrothed as his wife.
Girls married young, at about 14, and were subject to the authority of their husbands. Husbands were chosen for daughters by their fathers.
For the Hebrews, engagement was a binding commitment, formally affirmed at the wedding. (Deut 22:23) Marriage began with a betrothal, a promise formally recognised by the two fathers in the signing a contract, and in the giving of a gift by the prospective groom to his future bride.
The actual marriage usually did not take place until between nine and twelve months after the betrothal. During the engagement a man could refer to his betrothed as his wife.
Bible
A collection of sacred writings substantively produced by Israelite peoples over an extended period of time. The modern day bible consists of several books of the Hebrew (Jewish) bible, often referred to as the “Old Testament”, coupled with the Christian writings, referred to as the “New Testament”.
A collection of sacred writings substantively produced by Israelite peoples over an extended period of time. The modern day bible consists of several books of the Hebrew (Jewish) bible, often referred to as the “Old Testament”, coupled with the Christian writings, referred to as the “New Testament”.
Bread
A traditional 1st Century bread recipe!
After 1 hour, knead the dough & form into 4 equal sized balls. Let rise for 30 minutes more.
Flatten dough of each ball into round flat shape about 1/4 inch thick. Bake at 200 degrees C (350 degrees F) for 12 – 15 minutes or fry gently in a frying pan in imitation of the open fire cooking of the day.
A traditional 1st Century bread recipe!
- 2 1/2 cups wheat flour
- 2 cups water (add gradually – you may need less)
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp dry yeast.
After 1 hour, knead the dough & form into 4 equal sized balls. Let rise for 30 minutes more.
Flatten dough of each ball into round flat shape about 1/4 inch thick. Bake at 200 degrees C (350 degrees F) for 12 – 15 minutes or fry gently in a frying pan in imitation of the open fire cooking of the day.