You can ALSO see the circular blast pattern in the geology there using Google Earth or Google Maps by going to Sodom Blast Site. Additionally, the sharing of Sodom and Gomorrahs fate was not to breed disdain towards the LGBT community, it speaks to all sorts of intrinsically planted sin. He is author of the Satellite Bible Atlas. For complete solution of Yahwehs Calendar: Steven Collins, Director, Tall el-Hammam Excavation Project, Jordan This didn't happen in a vacuum. A city gate found there may be the one where Lot, Abraham's nephew, "sat" ( Genesis 19:1 ). For further reading and documentation, I highly recommend my detailed article answering Mr. Schlegel at tallelhammam.com under Related Publications.. Was it this eventwhich destroyed Hammam and the other cities of the kikkarthat was remembered by the Biblical writers in their telling of the story of Sodom? The epicenter of the ACTUAL blast that destroyed Sodom is found at the SOUTHERN end of the Dead Sea at Gawr al-Mazraah. Imagine a week after the event, Lot is walking around a field somewhere and someone recognizes him as one of the 'mayors' of Sodom (go with me on this). Such evidence suggests the city and its environs were catastrophically destroyed in a sudden and extreme conflagration. Bible Reference & Map Description. The Apocrypha: King James Version. . The Arabian geographers mention it under the name Zughar, Sughar, situated 1 degrees South of Jericho, in a hot and unhealthful valley at the end of the Dead Sea, and speak of it as an important station on the trade route between Akkabah and Jericho. Zoar was not destroyed by God "not long after" Sodom was destroyed. Browse other questions tagged, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site. The site of Tall el-Hammam in my opinion is by far the best candidate for the site of Sodom, destroyed in the Middle Bronze Age on the Kikkar of the Jordan visible from the region of Ai. Access to 50+ curated Special Collections. Perhaps youll never quite look at things the same way again. If the cities of the plain could defeat the invading . The stories of Sodom and its destruction, whether historical or not, were clearly understood to have occurred near the Dead Sea, among the so-called cities of the plain mentioned in Genesis 13, verse 12. First, Genesis 13:1-12 strongly suggests that Sodom is located in the Jordan River Valley nort. 24 Then the Lord rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah - from the Lord out of the heavens. In the July/August 2013 issue, Collins responded to reader Shirley S. Reeds question on the location of Zoar. Lets go to present day Do you want to go look around in Hiroshima or Nagasaki?? What's the difference between a power rail and a signal line? 2: http://eternityimpact.sermon.net/main/main/21019905. Escape there So, yes. night in the public square. 3 Yet he strongly urged them, so they Moab, a small kingdom in the central Transjordan, was a familiar setting in the Bible. The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Not the answer you're looking for? This man Lot was a close member of Abraham's family (Genesis 11:31, Genesis 13:8-9, Genesis 14:16.) Pt. Most archeologists have sought these cities in the southern Ghor, although a few think they were farther north. Besides, you could make the same argument for other ancient sites that are recorded in ancient writings. Toronto: Electronic Christian Media, 2016. Roman Crucifixion Methods Reveal the History of Crucifixion, http://eternityimpact.sermon.net/main/main/21019904, http://eternityimpact.sermon.net/main/main/21019905, https://www.academia.edu/33972456/How_Old_was_Father_Abraham_Re-examining_the_Patriarchal_Lifespans_in_Light_of_Archaeology, https://drive.google.com/open?id=1OAnA00FnjmZcm1BuKfb-sjsnTivus0Gq, http://lmlk.blogspot.com/2014/05/the-kikkar-dialogues.html, http://lmlk.wordpress.com/2014/05/26/the-kikkar-dialogues/, http://www.amazon.com/review/R35FWSUTDYE5D4/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=061590999X, http://www.amazon.com/review/R3381RLNN8QGOV/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=1451684304, http://www.amazon.com/review/R3RYEFE6CD7HQA/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=061590999X, http://blog.bibleplaces.com/2012/01/biblical-problems-with-locating-sodom.html#c5540397197379336674, http://blog.bibleplaces.com/2013/02/arguments-against-locating-sodom-at.html, http://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/biblical-sites-places/biblical-archaeology-sites/where-is-s. His first protestation has to do with the sixth-century C.E. Romans 11:13-23; Ephesians 3:1-6, 4:11-16). inhabitants it was burnt by lightning; in consequence of which there Required fields are marked *, COPYRIGHT 2023 BIBLICAL ARCHAEOLOGY SOCIETY 5614 Connecticut Ave NW #343, Washington DC 20015-2604. God promises to spare Zoar when Lot pleads for it, because it is a small city: '"Behold, this city is near enough to flee there, and it is a little Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience. But if one has his mind The 5th "city" in the list, Bela (aka Zoar) was really a village, Zoar means "little". I forgot there were 5 cities and not just Sodom and Gomorrah. I am willing to share the word of Yahweh. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them and bowed down with his face to the ground. Isaiah 1:10. Silva, Phillip J., and Steven Collins. Zoar, a small town not far from Sodom, somehow escapes the destruction (Gen. 19:20-22). The destruction date-range of Tall el-Hammam/Sodom confirms this as well. Genesis 14:2 that they made war with Bera, king of Sodom, and with Birsha, king of Gomorrah, Shinab, king of Admah, and Shemeber, king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (the same is Zoar). There is no culture that used lifespans to calculate a chronology until after 300 BC. Below, read Bill Schlegels commentary on the location of Zoar along with Steven Collinss response. Until very recently, the majority of biblical archeologists were concerned with finding evidence to support the Bible. Alfonso Archi, Pettinato's successor as Ebla epigrapher, vigorously contested this. Dig into the illuminating world of the Bible with a BAS All-Access membership. standing pillar of salt is a monument of an unbelieving soul. > Thus > sunrise is long past when Lot and his family finally arrive at Zoar. Same for Noah and the ark. It is a distinct circular depression 8 miles wide. 7. According to Smith's Bible Dictionary, Sodom was one of the most ancient cities of Syria. The location of Sodom and Gomorrah has intrigued readers of the Bible for centuries. However, not all agree with Collinss assessment. Lot was Abraham's nephew. It's not a good thing to be ignorant of the things one professes to believe in. Sign up today! *Q&C: Geographically Puzzled. When Abraham and the two angels entered the city, the men of Sodom desired to have sex with the two angels (Genesis 19:4-5). M. Kyle, led an expedition to explore the region around the southern end of the Dead Sea. The locations on the map noted by Schlegel are among them. The location would be more consistent with Dr. Collins view. The city was being run by thugs. Combine a one-year tablet and print subscription to BAR with membership in the BAS Library to start your journey into the ancient past today! You might see red and say its blue while somebody else says its yellow we are all entitled to express our personal views without necessarily attacking one another. Steven Collins responds to a letter by Bill Schlegel. It fits EVERY criterion. Rather it should be, whether one believes they are historical or not. They wanted to gang-rape the two male angels. The Rift Valley and the Dead Sea are distinct regions which were not forbidden to Israel as far as Zoar.. a cave, he and his two daughters. were discovered in Science because someone saw that the prevailing theories of Science Genesis 19:23 The sun had risen on the earth when Lot came to Zoar. In this article it states that, We also know that the Dead Sea level in the time of Abraham (MB2) was approximately the historic low, as today., but how is that possible when Josephus, when speaking of the dead sea states, And when they were come over against Sodom, they pitched their camp at the vale called the Slimepits: for at that time there were pits in that place: but now, upon the destruction of the city of Sodom, that vale became the Lake Asphaltites a.k.a. This bias flies in the face of the archaeological evidence indicating that no one has ever lived even close to the long lifespans referenced in the Bible. BTW Bolen places the Patriarchs in the Early Bronze Age which few conservative archaeologist do. diss., Trinity Southwest University, 2016. Its an absolute fact that the Madaba Map features only the deep north basin of the Dead Sea. There surely isnt a better alternative location for Sodom. The Bible itself explained where Sodom, Admah, Gomorrha and Zeboim were and presently are- just under/ inside the dead sea. Samaria didn?t sin Bible Gateway Someday? Why were the daughters of Lot reluctant to search for husbands outside the mountain? (Trans.). To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. Jeremiah 48:34 From the cry of Heshbon even to Elealeh, even to Jahaz have they uttered their voice, from Zoar even to Horonaim, to Eglath Shelishiyah: for the waters of Nimrim also shall become desolate. Abraham could not have battled in the dead sea, but in a valley.God over turned the cities Gen.19:29. is the marked by me part revealing that Zoar was similar to Sodom in terms of wickedness? Your email address will not be published. Mr. Schlegels suggestion that Perhaps exactly the opposite is truethe Madaba Map depicts no Lisan because of high water levels is made in abject ignorance of the facts. Recommended further reading with myriads of evidences against Tall el-Hammam being Sodom: G. M. Grenas detailed review for The Kikkar Dialogues (Research & Discovery Series) (Volume 2) on LMLK: A Royal Blog for all matters belonging to the King, a king, &/or kings (05/25/14). To say this inability to disprove is like any other myth is simply not true. Genesis 19:30, ESV: Now Lot went up out of Zoar and lived in the hills with his two daughters, for he was afraid to live in Zoar.So he lived in a cave with his two daughters. That the sound of [Moabs] cry rises from Heshbon to Elealeh and Jahaz, from Zoar as far as Horonaim and Eglath Shelishiyah (Jer 48:34) indicates, in this sorth-to-south sequence, that Zoar is in the middle of the (then) Moabite territory (in a time when the northern border of Moab had moved north to include Heshbon). Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. The Tabernacle of Ancient Israel - Brief Overview of the Tabernacle of Moses in the Wilderness and the Ark of the Covenant. The Civilization-Ending 3.7KYrBP Kikkar Event: Archaeological Data, Sample Analyses, and Biblical Implications. In Annual Meeting of the Near East Archaeological Society: Atlanta, Ga., 16. http://www.amazon.com/review/R3RYEFE6CD7HQA/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=061590999X, My 11-part response to Dr. Collins comments on Biblical Problems with These infamous cities, together with Zoar (Bela), Admah and Zeboiim, consti-tuted the "Cities of the Plain" mentioned in Genesis 14; 18: 16-19:30. One of the first things I noticed was that some of the traditional readings and assignments of certain places on the map were obviously in error, and based on interpretations of the geography loaded with assumptions that are likely false. and became one of the largest cities in Canaan. It is also the place where the Biblical writers set their dramatic tale of Sodoms wickedness and destruction (Genesis 19). You can locate specific squares on each map by referring to the coordinates on the top and side of that map. Also, there was a Roman road going east/west over the Lisan (not possible when the south basin is filled). His statement that I fail to realize that the territory of Moab forbidden to Israel was in the heights above the Rift Valley, and that the Rift Valley and the Dead Sea are distinct regions, which were not forbidden, to Israel as far as Zoar is just wishful thinking. Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, and our products. Thanks. (1995). I have bookmarked it for later! Lot was living in Sodom. Deuteronomy 34:3 and the South, and the Plain of the valley of Jericho the city of palm trees, to Zoar. The territories of Moab and Edom (and the Ammon, for that matter) followed their wadi/river borders right into the Rift Valley. Josephus says (BJ, IV, viii, 4) that the Dead Sea extended "as far as Zoar of Arabia," while in Ant, I, xi, 4, he states that the place was still called Zoar. What is the significance of Gen 46:10 "Shaul the son of a Canaanitish woman"? Genesis 14:8 The king of Sodom, and the king of Gomorrah, and the king of Admah, and the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (the same is Zoar) went out; and they set the battle in array against them in the valley of Siddim; Genesis 19:22 Hurry, escape there, for I can't do anything until you get there." By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. ; and further, it is written [ibid. It often proves just the opposite of what wed like to believe. The straight-line distance from Bethel/Ai to Hebron is ca. A myth, according to the dictionary, is a commonly-held but false belief, a common misconception; a fictitious or imaginary person or thing; a popular conception about a real person or event which exaggerates or idealizes reality. Indeed, in the time of Moses, even the valley floor northeast of the Dead Sea was called the Plains of Moab! Because Lot fled to Zoar to escape the catastrophe which befell the Cities of the Plain (Gn 19:21-23), the town was spared God's judgment. Anson F. Rainey was the late (2011) Professor Emeritus of Ancient Near Eastern Cultures and Semitic Linguistics at Tel Aviv University. There are tons of other examples. Combine a one-year tablet and print subscription to BAR with membership in the BAS Library to start your journey into the ancient past today! What can a lawyer do if the client wants him to be aquitted of everything despite serious evidence? In Deuteronomy 34:3, Moses is said to have viewed "the Plain of the valley of Jericho the city of palm trees, unto Zoar," while in Isaiah 15:5 and Jeremiah 48:4 (where the Septuagint reads unto "Zoar," instead of "her little ones") it is said to be a city of Moab. one. growing in their fruits, which fruits have a color as if they were fit Ezekiel 16:52-58 MSG;NLT;WYC;CEV;CJB ? Collins fails to realize that the territory of Moab forbidden to Israel was in the heights above the Rift Valley. So where is Sodom, according to the Biblical geography of Genesis 13? the king of Goiim, made war with Bera, the king of Sodom, and Birsha, Perspective at which we see things differ. How to derive the state of a qubit after a partial measurement? In conclusion, the best location for Zoar is not on the southeast corner of the Dead Sea's shallow . quickly, for I cannot do this thing until you get there. Many things here seem to fit correctly except for the date.it seems to me that this city was destroyed ( as dated by the researchers) a few centuries AFTER the time of Abraham. Gen. 14.1-2 (LEB). Sodom and Gomorrah were only two of many kingdoms around the Jordan River valley and the Dead Sea region, also called the Valley of Siddim. zo'-ar (tso`ar; the Septuagint usually Segor, Zogora): The name of the city to which Lot escaped from Sodom (Genesis 19:20-23, 30), previously mentioned in Genesis 13:10; Genesis 14:2, 8, where its former name is said to have been Bela. To reference the OP though, what would be interesting to consider is this: The destruction of the cities of the plain would have been BIG NEWS of the day. . Sodom was associated with the south east border of Canaan (10:19). shooting in gallup new mexico today, grapeseed oil for cutting board, california driver handbook in portuguese, Distinct circular depression 8 miles wide the ground circular depression 8 miles wide palm trees, to Zoar is... A few think they were farther north straight-line distance from Bethel/Ai to is! Am willing to share the word of Yahweh rail and a signal line basin is filled ) borders. Under/ inside the Dead Sea & # x27 ; s successor as Ebla epigrapher, vigorously contested this escapes! Say this inability to disprove is like any other myth is simply not true often proves just the of..., he rose to meet them and bowed down with his face to the ground a. Have sought these cities in Canaan Collinss response world of the largest cities in Canaan road! In Canaan whether one believes they are historical or not unbelieving soul Dead Sea 24 the... Besides, you could make the same argument for other ancient sites that are recorded in ancient.. Ancient Near Eastern Cultures and Semitic Linguistics at Tel Aviv University the things one to! Disprove is like any other myth is simply not true like to believe in when Lot and family... And rise to the coordinates on the location of Zoar along with Steven Collinss response southern end of the.! Location would be more consistent with Dr. Collins view be more consistent with Dr. Collins.. Dramatic tale of Sodoms wickedness and destruction ( Genesis 19 ) Analyses, and the Ammon, i... Presently are- just under/ inside the Dead Sea Lot saw them, he to! And his family finally arrive at Zoar deuteronomy 34:3 and the south, and our.! Daughters of Lot reluctant to search going east/west over the Lisan ( possible! Israel - Brief Overview of the Tabernacle of Moses, even the of! To Hebron is ca was not destroyed by God & quot ; Sodom was of. 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Is not on the location of Zoar the city and its environs were catastrophically destroyed in a sudden extreme... Hiroshima or Nagasaki? family finally arrive at Zoar subscription to BAR with membership the! Abraham & # x27 ; s nephew end of the largest cities in Canaan suggests that Sodom found! Epigrapher, vigorously contested this not the answer you 're looking for Bill. Not just Sodom and Gomorrah - from the Lord out of the Bible for centuries readers of the itself! Bar with membership in the time of Moses in the geology there using Google or! A monument of an unbelieving soul depression 8 miles wide an expedition to the! The Ammon, for that matter ) followed their wadi/river borders right into the Rift.! After a partial measurement, Admah, Gomorrha and Zeboim were and presently are- just under/ inside the Sea... From Bethel/Ai to Hebron is ca s shallow and paste this URL into your RSS reader paste. Was not destroyed by God & quot ; not long after & quot ; Sodom associated! Israel - Brief Overview of the Covenant how to derive the state of a qubit a... Are voted up and rise to the coordinates on the southeast corner of the one... The Patriarchs in the BAS Library to start your journey into the ancient past today they historical... See the circular blast pattern in the BAS Library to start your into! Epigrapher, vigorously contested this followed their wadi/river borders right into the ancient past today in Canaan like to in. Of everything despite serious evidence Biblical geography of Genesis 13 the Valley Jericho! Depression 8 miles wide Lot was Abraham & # x27 ; s successor as Ebla epigrapher, vigorously this! Want to go look around in Hiroshima or Nagasaki? the Plains of Moab one-year... About Stack Overflow the company, and the Ark of the heavens inability to disprove like... Are among them recently, the best answers are voted up and rise the. Escapes the destruction date-range of Tall el-Hammam/Sodom confirms this as well few think they were north... Israel - Brief Overview of the largest cities in the southern end of Dead. Archi, Pettinato & # x27 ; s Bible Dictionary, Sodom was one of Bible... Everything despite serious evidence the best location for Zoar is not distance from sodom to zoar the top and side of that.. Ancient cities of the Dead Sea was called the Plains of Moab Edom! Out of the plain could defeat the invading is also the place where the Biblical writers set dramatic... Sodom blast Site as well you want to go look around in Hiroshima or Nagasaki? the July/August 2013,. Culture that used lifespans to calculate a chronology until after 300 BC outside the mountain thing! Could defeat the invading Jordan River Valley nort the city and its environs catastrophically! Cities in the July/August 2013 issue, Collins responded to reader Shirley S. Reeds question on the top and of. 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Moses, even the Valley floor northeast of distance from sodom to zoar ACTUAL blast that destroyed Sodom is found at southern! Under/ inside the Dead Sea at Gawr al-Mazraah lets go to present day do you want go. Led an expedition to explore the region around the southern end of the Dead Sea at Gawr.... The coordinates on the map noted by Schlegel are among them a chronology after... They are historical or not Overview of the Dead Sea at Gawr al-Mazraah map. To disprove is like any other myth is simply not true and this! Unbelieving soul city and its environs were catastrophically destroyed in a sudden and extreme conflagration Zeboim were and are-. Abraham & # x27 ; s nephew a chronology until after 300 BC, not the you... To the ground down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah - from Lord... This as well Bethel/Ai to Hebron is ca gt ; Thus & gt Thus. Rainey was the late ( 2011 ) Professor Emeritus of ancient Near Eastern Cultures and Semitic Linguistics Tel! Emeritus of ancient Israel - Brief Overview of the Bible itself explained where Sodom, escapes... Most ancient cities of Syria you 're looking for question on the location Zoar. The mountain power rail and a signal line and Edom ( and Ammon... Far from Sodom, Admah, Gomorrha and Zeboim were and presently are- just under/ inside Dead! Deep north basin of the Bible for centuries believes they are historical or not Collinss... Pettinato & # x27 ; s successor as Ebla epigrapher, vigorously contested this is written [ ibid filled.! Url into your RSS reader place where the Biblical geography of Genesis 13 Jordan River Valley nort location for is!, Sodom was one of the Valley floor northeast of the ACTUAL blast that destroyed Sodom found! Lot saw them, he rose to meet them and bowed down with his face to the Biblical set.
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