Finds in Israel add weight to theory God “had wife”

Yahoo News UK ^ | 18th September 2013 | Rob Waugh

[the scotsman]

'Female figurines and inscribed prayers to a "divine couple" found in temples in Israel suggest that the “one God” of the Bible may not have been entirely alone.

A recent excavation in Tel Motza, not far from Jerusalem, found what archaeologists believe to have been a ritual building - with clay figures of animals and men from the time of the First Temple, according to Israel's Haaretz news site.

The find suggests that Iron Age religion in the area around Jerusalem may not have been monotheistic just before the time the Hebrew Bible – the basis of the Old Testament - started to be written.

Now experts are increasingly suggesting that far from there being “one God”, there were many.

One expert, Professor Francesca Stavrakopoulou of the University of Exeter, says there is “increasing evidence” of Israelites worshipping several gods - including one who may have been seen as Yahweh’s “wife”.'

[HomeAtLast]

Something about “I am who I am” doesn’t sound married.

[cuban leaf]

Depictions of G_d were not allowed in the Jewish faith.

---

That is another thing I was thinking when I read that article. They are not saying what gods existed. They are saying what gods they think people may have worshipped. And Israel was nailed for worshipping idols quite a bit.

[editor-surveyor]

The kind of analysis one would expect from a complete imbecile!

The worship of Ishtar was big back then.

[Alex Murphy]

A recent excavation in Tel Motza, not far from Jerusalem, found what archaeologists believe to have been a ritual building - with clay figures of animals and men from the time of the First Temple, according to Israel's Haaretz news site....Now experts are increasingly suggesting that far from there being “one God”, there were many.

Ping for later

[Prospero]

They could have saved themselves a lot of trouble and simply read the Book of Kings.

[blackdog]

God has to admit he was having a bad day when he created skunks, mosquitoes, ticks, and eels. But a perfect and infallible being decided a wife would be a good idea?

[BenLurkin]

Has nothing to do with the God of the Bible and everything to do with Baal and his wife.

Anyone who reads the Bible diligently knows that the Canaanite gods, who were a “divine couple”, were not driven form the land until after the return from the Babylonian exile.

If even then.

[Theoria]

'Now experts are increasingly suggesting that far from there being “one God”, there were many. '

Duh.

Ya can check out Dr. Heiser's work on the Diving Council for more info.

"[The divine council is] the heavenly host, the pantheon of divine beings who administer the affairs of the cosmos. All ancient Mediterranean cultures had some conception of a divine council. The divine council of Israelite religion, known primarily through the psalms, was distinct in important ways."

[BenLurkin]

Exactly.

[editor-surveyor]

>> “Depictions of G_d were not allowed in the Jewish faith.” <<

.
Aww, c’mon, don’t let the truth get in the way of a good story.

[longfellow]

Nobody’s perfect.

[clamper1797]

What does God need with a star ship?

[Darksheare]

Do they found reference to The Queen of Heaven.
Goody.
Maybe they’ll figure out that she is Asherah?
Naaah.
Clueless “archeologists” who know nothing of the material they are looking at.

[God luvs America]

i thought her name was Hillary Michelle???

[BenLurkin]

Bingo!

[MeshugeMikey]

he had considered gifting the town of San Anselmo with the ARK.... for inclusion as a statue in the new Park..the property for which having formerly belonged to Mr Lucas..

instead we had to settle for statues of Indiana Jones and Yoda....both NEW AGE "GODS".

Should the ark be moved there... I shall alert you immediately

[Darksheare]

Yeah, and mobile debice helpfully autocowreckded “So” to “Do” for some stupid reason.

We’ll never hear them admit that they’re looking at Canaanite cross pollination.

[Tzimisce]

I believe there are translations of the Bible that say “we created the Earth”.

[Secret Agent Man]

also don’t forget all around them were pagan religions that did worship female deities.

Solomon for crying out loud worshipped other gods. Plenty of wicked israelite kings after Solomon worshipped other gods.

It wouldn’t be surprising if they altered images and added figures to carvings.

It’s hardly mind-blowing. It is to be expected given the history recounted in the Bible.

[GeronL]

lol