WALID
This information is different than Gastrag's that I sent previously, it shows
evidence that The Walls of Jericho did actually fall down. I hope that this
account is more accurate from the previous one by Gastrag whom your guy (TILL)
objected to, please forward it to your expert so we can get a different point
of view. thanks Walid.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Is the Bible accurate concerning the destruction of the walls of Jericho?
In the Old Testament, in Joshua chapter 6, we have an account of the
Israelites defeating the city of Jericho when they came into the Promised
Land after wandering in the wilderness for 40 years. According to the
Biblical account, after the Israelites marched around the city once a day for
six days, on the seventh day they encircled the city seven times. On the
seventh time around, the priests blew the trumpets, the people shouted and
the walls fell flat.
The first major excavation of the site of Jericho, located in the southern
Jordan valley in Israel, was carried out by a German team between 1907 and
1909. They found piles of mud bricks at the base of the mound the city was
built on. It was not until a British archaeologist named Kathleen Kenyon
reexcavated the site with modern methods in the 1950s that it was understood
what these piles of bricks were. She determined that they were from the city
wall which had collapsed when the city was destroyed!
The story in the Bible goes on to say that when the walls collapsed, the
Israelites stormed the city and set it on fire. Archaeologists found evidence
for a massive destruction by fire just as the Bible relates. Kenyon wrote in
her excavation report, "The destruction was complete. Walls and floors were
blackened or reddened by fire, and every room was filled with fallen bricks,
timbers, and household utensils; in most rooms the fallen debris was heavily
burnt."
What caused the strong walls of Jericho to collapse? The most likely
explanation is an earthquake. But the nature of the earthquake was unusual.
It struck in such a way as to allow a portion of the city wall on the north
side of the site to remain standing, while everywhere else the wall fell.
Rahab's house was evidently located on the north side of the city. She was
the Canaanite prostitute who hid the Israelite spies who came to reconnoiter
the city. The Bible states that her house was built against the city wall.
Before returning to the Israelite camp, the spies told Rahab to bring her
family into her house and they would be saved. According to the Bible,
Rahab's house was miraculously spared while the rest of the city wall fell.
This is exactly
what archaeologists found. The preserved city wall on the north side of the
city had houses built against it.
The timing of the earthquake and the manner in which it selectively took down
the city wall suggests something other than a natural calamity. A Divine
Force was at work. In the New Testament we read "By faith the walls of
Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days. By
faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed
with those who were disobedient" (Hebrews 11:30-31).
References:
"Uncovering the Truth at Jericho", by Bryant G. Wood, Archaeology and
Biblical
Research, Autumn 1987, pp. 6-16 (available from the Associates for Biblical
Research).
"Did the Israelites Conquer Jericho? A New Look at the Archaeological
Evidence", by
Bryant G. Wood, Biblical Archaeology Review, March/April 1990, pages 44-58.
Walid