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These posts between you and Sabertooth are very enlightening, well written and interesting.

Right now I'm reading The Life of Jesus Christ, by Giuseppe Ricciotti. The book was written following WW I, and is actually a historical account, as much as a chronicling of that period can rightfully be called one, of the period in which Jesus was born and lived.

So far, it's proving to be an incredible piece of scholarship, and while there really is no mention of Palestinians, per se, the term Palestine is used profusely throughout the text with an actual map titled 'Palestine At The Time Of Christ'.

Quoting directly from the book text, following are how the borders of the map of that time are laid out:

"Palestine is flanked by natural borders, the Mediterranean on the west and the Syrio-Arabian desert on the east. On the north and south her natural boundaries are not so well defined, although in the north a clear enough division is marked by the Lebanon mountain range. This descends parallel to the Mediteranean and is bordered on the interior by the Anti-Lebanon range, from which Mount Hermon rises like a vanguard. The pass between Hermon and Lebanon may be considered the nothrern boundary of Palestine. The southern boundary is represented in general by Idumaea and the desert regions which extend directly below Beersheba and the Dead Sea. These are the two boundaries, northern and southern, frequently referred to in the Old Testament phrase, "from Dan to Beersheba," to denote that part of Palestine inhabited by the Hebrews."

The original book was written in Italian by Mr. Ricciotti, Professor at the University of Rome and published in 1941. Translation was produced by Alba I. Zizzamia of Trinity College, Ocotber 1946.

"Palestine is flanked by natural borders, the Mediterranean on the west and the Syrio-Arabian desert on the east. On the north and south her natural boundaries are not so well defined, although in the north a clear enough division is marked by the Lebanon mountain range. This descends parallel to the Mediteranean and is bordered on the interior by the Anti-Lebanon range, from which Mount Hermon rises like a vanguard. The pass between Hermon and Lebanon may be considered the nothrern boundary of Palestine. The southern boundary is represented in general by Idumaea and the desert regions which extend directly below Beersheba and the Dead Sea. These are the two boundaries, northern and southern, frequently referred to in the Old Testament phrase, "from Dan to Beersheba," to denote that part of Palestine inhabited by the Hebrews."

Very interesting historical description. Now that a stage is set based upon this writing, check out Genesis 27: what took place, the 'birthright' had already been sold by Esau to Jacob Genesis 25: 29-34

Genesis 27 describes the "blessing" given Jacob, "Jacob = heel grabber, contender, surplanter had his name changed by our Heavenly Father Genesis 32:24 to Israel which means "God commands, orders or rules". This points us to Christ as King of Kings, Lord of Lords, all to the future.

Jacob had contended with Esau in the womb, and thus got his name Jacob, which is referred to here in reproach, not in eulogy. (Companion Bible side notes)

Now Esau demanded a blessing from his father Isaac, Genesis 27:30-40.

Now somehow down through the ages of copying two words were left out of verse 39. What we have today says

{And Isaac his father answered and said unto him, "Behold, thy dwelling shall be the fatness of the earth, and the dew of heaven from above;}

however, when one does some digging one finds that what that blessing was "Behold, thy dwelling shall be "away from" the fatness of the earth, and the dew of heaven from above;

So in the modern era there should be two nations visable that continue this same contention. Correct?

Thank you for your kind words. Sabretooth does inded write well, and clearly leaves his heart on the page.

And thank you for the info on the book. I'd love to read it. The description you quote from is an accurate depiction of the Roman province of Palestine.