continues to come out that corroborates the historic accounts in the Bible. Zoar, it would seem, was a safe enough distance from Sodom so as not to suffer any collateral damage. Travel with us on our journey into the past in our free eBook Exploring Jordan. 131-138. The dross will burn away in the refiners fire, and what youll have left is pure gold. Dr. Collins has never given any official answer to the evidences I present, and that can only mean the arguments are air-tight. "It is written (say the Gemarists), 'The sun was risen upon the earth, when Lot entered into Sodom.'--Now Sodom was four miles from Zoar." Lot was Abraham's nephew. I agree with Matt and Brian (both 02/21/13) that no one who calls themselves Biblical-anything should put whether historical or not in their articles. They wanted to gang-rape the two male angels. Zoar was close to Sodom (Genesis 19:20) - as are these ruins. It actually reaches from California to New York. Romans 11:13-23; Ephesians 3:1-6, 4:11-16). Roman Crucifixion Methods Reveal the History of Crucifixion. If sodom is not historic why look for it? Graves, David E. Sodom And Salt in Their Ancient Near Eastern Cultural Context. Near East Archaeological Society Bulletin 61 (2016): 1532. Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. . See the discussion in Shea 1983 . In the following passage in Genesis 19:2-3 i marked a specific part. A city gate found there may be the one where Lot, Abraham's nephew, "sat" ( Genesis 19:1 ). 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. How does the NLT translate in Romans 8:2? from the fire which fell down upon the five cities. There are tons of other examples. And he said to him, Behold, I will grant this favor as well; that I Zoar. Collins responded to reader Shirley S. Reeds question on the location of Zoar. Moreover, its not surprising to find out that the earthquakes were severe and that they could have wiped out an entire city the infrastructure of which wasnt up to modern code. Halfway Point Between Hebron, CT and Zoar, OH. He assumes that the large river representation on the map just north of Zoora (Zoar) is the Zered. In conclusion, the best location for Zoar is not on the southeast corner of the Dead Sea's shallow . Steven Collins, Bill Schlegel is associate professor of Bible at The Masters College, Israel Bible Extension (IBEX), where he teaches Biblical history, geography and Hebrew. Lot's Flight from Sodom. In the Biblical record we find a number of facts about the actual cities of Sodom and Gomorrah: There were a series of five cities named Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Belar/Zoar (Gen. 10:19, 14:2, 14:8, Deut. The trip between Zoar and Pretoria will take 11 Hours 52 minutes if you drive 100km per hour. Why were the daughters of Lot reluctant to search for husbands outside the mountain? When they came to Canaan, the servants of Abraham and Lot argued over grazing areas for their large herds of livestock. Therefore, the position that God does not exist is a position of faith. In no way does Abraham belong in the Intermediate Bronze Age or early MB1 as the hackneyed Ussher-style biblical chronologies suggest, at a time when none of the cities mentioned in the Abrahamic narratives existed, including Jerusalem and Dan. He is author of the Satellite Bible Atlas. Studyinh genesis 18 and 19 know and doing reasearch. Bible Reference & Map Description. Bethel and Ai are located near Jericho which is located directly across from the northern end of the Dead Sea. Its hard reading the descriptions of various old names from rivers and features without annotated maps? the king of Goiim, made war with Bera, the king of Sodom, and Birsha, https://drive.google.com/open?id=1OAnA00FnjmZcm1BuKfb-sjsnTivus0Gq. Genesis 13, archaeology and Biblical geography provide clues. http://blog.bibleplaces.com/2013/02/arguments-against-locating-sodom-at.html, Thank you for reading! In 1924 W. F. Albright, in association with Rev. Where Were the Old Testament Kings of Ancient Jerusalem Buried? Did Lot or the men of Sodom recognize Lot's visitors as angels? To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers. Shalom! I thought it might be helpful for readers ofBiblical Archaeology Reviewto know where to go for another []. Zoar is up to date located at the south end of the dead sea. We are not told upon what occasion he removed; whether terrified by the destruction of Sodom, or, as some of the Jewish writers say, because he was grieved at Lot's incest with his daughters, and the reproach which the Canaanites cast upon him for his kinsman's sake. God destroyed Sodom as soon as Lot entered Zoar. (Note: This is an updated and reformatted version from what was . Albuquerque, N.M.: Trinity Southwest University Press, 2016. did not agree with the bible, so they kept looking for other answers. Was it the action of the men of Sodom that precipitated its destruction in Genesis 19? @Krissy to say that that Greek myth has not been disproven is strange. mountains, because he was afraid to stay in Zoar; and he stayed in (There are countless other examples of negative assertions that can be logically proven or disproven; you can even make a list of many yourself.). Besides, you could make the same argument for other ancient sites that are recorded in ancient writings. From the Read my books on archaeologyArchaeology: What you need to know & The Future of Biblical Archaeology. 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. What's the difference between a power rail and a signal line? Sodom was evidently the chief town in the settlement. Zoar was very close to Sodom. The Fate of Sodom C: (18:20-33) The famous negotiation over the fate of Sodom takes up the end of this chapter and, as noted earlier, is beset with several general difficulties, in addition to all of the specific issues addressed by the Rishonim. Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar. Magnesium is the stuff that makes some fireworks burn with intense white light and as it can reach temperature over 5000Fahreheit it has no difficulty melting rock and fusing it into the same glassy material found at atom bomb test sites. First inhabited during the Chalcolithic period (46003600 B.C.E. Escape there Her nobles flee to Zoar, to Eglath Shelishiyah; for they go up by the ascent of Luhith with weeping; for in the way of Horonaim, they raise up a cry of destruction. The Late Bronze Gap, observed by many archaeologists working in the Jordan Valley can be explained by the destruction event as described in the Bible. Both statements are asinine & not logical. Locating Zoar I'm not sure what we can make of Zoar other than the role it played (eventually, perhaps in an ark-like preservation way) in the lineage of Jesus. The first biblical reference to them is in the account of the boundaries of Canaan (Gen. 10:19). I believe the Bible and none whatsoever even if it is evident to my eyes I blindly believe the Holy Bible only. Locating Sodom at Tall el-Hammam by Dr. Todd Bolen on his blog (08/23/14). Nor is the Lisan (Tongue) missing from the map because of low water levels. Perhaps exactly the opposite is truethe Madaba Map depicts no Lisan because of high water levels. It is related how, for the impiety of its 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. By clicking Post Your Answer, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy. The geographical basis of determining what is on the plain and what is not on the plain seems to be (pardon the pun) shaky ground. rev2023.3.1.43269. The maps index can help you locate a particular place on the maps. They knew it was better to intercept their enemy and battle him at a distance rather than fight him on their doorstep. According to Smith's Bible Dictionary, Sodom was one of the most ancient cities of Syria. Analysis and Interpretation of Scripture 1. If a law is new but its interpretation is vague, can the courts directly ask the drafters the intent and official interpretation of their law? Wise to say out of the cities, I would say. The best location for Zoar is on the southeast side of the Dead Sea. BTW Bolen places the Patriarchs in the Early Bronze Age which few conservative archaeologist do. Personally, i believe its not a myth but reality as the holy book (Bible) put it. ?And Samaria. 17 . Steven Collins responds to a letter by Bill Schlegel, Arguments Against Locating Sodom at Tall el-Hammam If this is not the case, then the Madaba Map would have to be declared a geographical distortion unusable for cartographic purposes. It is a distinct circular depression 8 miles wide. Trying to fit the archeological sites in the Middle East to biblical sights is not objective, or scientific. Life comes from life, versus spontaneous generation in Pasteurs day paved the way for If were going to accept radio-carbon dating for our bible manuscripts, and then turn around and reject it when it proves something wrong about the Bibles account, we are deluding ourselves. The 5th "city" in the list, Bela (aka Zoar) was really a village, Zoar means "little". This man Lot was a close member of Abraham's family (Genesis 11:31, Genesis 13:8-9, Genesis 14:16.) This Bible History Daily feature was originally published on February 20, 2013. However, it is the location of Zeboim that we found the most incredible. Genesis 19:30 Parallel Verses [ See commentary ] Genesis 19:30, NIV: Lot and his two daughters left Zoar and settled in the mountains, for he was afraid to stay in Zoar.He and his two daughters lived in a cave. Lot chose the land of the plain of Jordan, near Sodom and Gomorrah, because of the rich pastureland there. 2 And he said, Now behold, my lords, please turn aside into your Be sure to also read the comment sections. You hold steadfastly to the chronology of Archbishop Usher without fully analyzing the consequences of that position. The truth will be apparent over time, as history shows. I am willing to share the word of Yahweh. When Lot became drunk, his daughters seduced him. There has been some doubt about the exact location . The sun had risen on the earth when Lot came to Zoar. growing in their fruits, which fruits have a color as if they were fit 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). So, to use the Genesis lifespans as a basis for the chronology of Abraham is anachronistic. And here is the Wisdom of Solomon, 10.6-7: When the ungodly perished, she delivered the righteous man, who fled Then Lot and his > family walk to Zoar, which likely was a distance of 5 miles. 10 Lot looked around and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan toward Zoar was well watered, like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt. 25:8-9).Yahweh applied His FORMULA 10 times in 70 Weeks Prophecy. 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! Zoar is up to date located at the south end of the dead sea. But unlike other Canaanite cities that continued to flourish in the Late Bronze Age (1550-1200 B.C.E. Sign up to receive our email newsletter and never miss an update. be now all burnt up. The Tabernacle of Ancient Israel - Brief Overview of the Tabernacle of Moses in the Wilderness and the Ark of the Covenant. 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. James D. Tabor is the Chair of the Department of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. It was several miles above the northern end of the Dead Sea, past Jericho. Ezekiel 16:52-58 MSG;NLT;WYC;CEV;CJB ? The narrative belongs solely during MB2 on every line of evidence available. Having fled Sodom just before dawn, Lot and his daughters arrived at Zoar shortly after sun-up (19:15, 17-23). Author Steven Collins in a field large with standing stones, stone circles and dolmens near Tall el-Hammam, a site he associates with Biblical Sodom. To find the map for the driving distance from Mount Sodom to Jerusalem, please enter the source and destination and then select the driving mode. . 1. Access to 50+ curated Special Collections. Given that the Madaba Map shows only the deep north basin, the large river representation to the north of Zoar is none other than the Wadi Mujib (Biblical Arnon River/Gorge). Im sorry, but when you attack the content of a persons character rather than the contact of their argument, you disqualify yourself as a critic. Zoar is first mentioned in Genesis 13:10 as one of the boundary cities that defined the region where Abraham's nephew Lot moved after they parted. I say that to note that I have looked/studied the geography each time I was there. 1: http://eternityimpact.sermon.net/main/main/21019904 God decided to destroy Sodom and its neighbouring city Gomorrah. For some reason, Lot was afraid to stay in Zoar. The geographical argument for Tall el-Hammam being Sodom is a lock at every turn. Very good information. 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). Toronto: Electronic Christian Media, 2016. I don't doubt that God had full control to destroy or not destroy cities as He fully sees fit so their isn't anything about the size of the city of Zoar that spared it. If one placed Zoar on the Arnon/Wadi Mujib, then, it could be labeled Zared!. The stories of Sodom and its destruction,.. whether historical or not, were clearly understood to have occurred near the Dead Sea,. Zoar was then a deep-water port on the Bay of Mazraa at the south end of the north basin. From studying external sources, such as the Sumerian Kings list, we can see clearly that long lifespans were meant as honorific terms and not actual lengths of life. Cell: 9704424254 Ive studied this map in detail for many years. In Genesis 14:3 it is explained that the location of the cities was called valley of Siddim. . Your email address will not be published. For one thing, Lot's virgin daughters were pledged to be married to men of Sodom. The location of Sodom and Gomorrah has intrigued readers of the Bible for centuries. Again, speaking from a purely geological point of view, plate tectonics explains the continental drift between the Asian and African shelves. The mountains, 11KM long and 2KM maximum width, are made of salt mixed with other minerals. It is commonly mentioned in connection with Gomorrah, but also with Admah and Zeboim, and on one occasion -- (Genesis 14:1) . It is used in Africa by the elderly ones to explain what truly is real but they dont have its real explanations just to save themselves from I dont know whenever questions about mysterious issues are asked by the younger ones. 5. Links to all the current blogposts, with a few other links, can be found here (02/26/13): In the article Where Is Sodom? in the March/April 2013 issue of BAR, archaeologist Steven Collins combines clues from Biblical geography with archaeological evidence from the site of Tall el-Hammam in Jordan to suggest that the author of Genesis 13 located Sodom in a fertile area northeast of the Dead Sea. For further reading and documentation, I highly recommend my detailed article answering Mr. Schlegel at tallelhammam.com under Related Publications.. The History of Rome - Brief Overview Of Roman History from Her Dawn to the First Punic War. Oh yea, we are going to have tourists come and see where evil people were, vaped, for their sins. Photo: Michael C. Luddeni. For complete solution of Yahwehs Calendar: The ancient city once covered nearly 10 acres. Now that objective is beginning to shift toward a more thoughtful exploration into what actually happened whether it backs up a bible story or offers a better insight into the actual history of the region. His first protestation has to do with the sixth-century C.E. Surely weve heard of tells. Zoar was supposed to be destroyed, too, but Lot asked for this city to be spared. --with Bela or Zoar. Not a BAS Library member yet? Furthermore, radio-carbon dating isnt the only method we use to date things back beyond lets say 50,000 years. 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 Dig into the illuminating world of the Bible with a BAS All-Access membership. I triangulated three sets of scriptures to come to this conclusion: Gen.13:10-11 (Bethel-Ai), Gen. 18:1,16 and 19:28 (Oaks of Mamre) and Det. Steve Collinss interpretation of the location of Zoar* on the Madaba Map is faulty. All agree that Sodom existed in the Early Bronze age (Gen 10) the Question of importance is when was it destroyed (Middle Bronze Age Gen 13). Fig 2 below shows the excavation site of the known traditional location of the "Sanctuary of Lot" in . Zoar was supposed to be destroyed, too, but Lot asked for this city to be spared. The authors briefly mention the consistency of the Sodom and Gomorrah as recorded in Genesis. night in the public square. 3 Yet he strongly urged them, so they Mount Sodom is 226 meters above the Dead Sea and 170 meters below sea level, 2-3 kilometers wide and eleven kilometers long. The promise God made to Lot to preserve the city was fulfilled. The territories of Moab and Edom (and the Ammon, for that matter) followed their wadi/river borders right into the Rift Valley. 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. But even if it was Zared, the placement of the Zered River on any map is made based on ones predisposition about Zoar, and not on any objective information about the Zered Rivers location. Archaeology has positively identified Zoar south of the Dead Sea. He cites Deuteronomy 2:4-5, 9, 34:1-3 and Joshua 13:8-28 as evidence that because Israel was not to displace Moab or Edom, Zoar cant be as far south as the mouth of the Zered. (1918). The shock wave with high temperature cloud of minerals would have blasted everything in its path (including Lots wife). Lot reluctant to search for husbands outside the mountain had risen on the earth when Lot came to Zoar site... Recommend my detailed article answering Mr. Schlegel at tallelhammam.com under Related Publications basis for the chronology of Abraham and argued... Being Sodom is not historic why look for it Bible ) put it be labeled Zared! Genesis lifespans a! The account of the city was called valley of Siddim on archaeologyArchaeology: what need. 20, 2013 not historic why look for it detailed article answering Mr. at! S. Reeds question on the location of Zeboim that we found the most ancient cities of Syria, is... The trip between Zoar and Pretoria will take 11 Hours 52 minutes if you drive 100km per.... Zeboim that we found the most ancient cities of Syria precipitated its in! For husbands outside the mountain intrigued readers of the cities, I will grant favor... And African shelves could make the same argument for other answers so as not to suffer any collateral.! My books on archaeologyArchaeology: what you need to know & the Future of Biblical archaeology 19:20 -! Salt in their ancient near Eastern Cultural Context know and doing reasearch drunk, daughters! Most incredible Salt in their ancient near Eastern Cultural Context per hour, as shows! Collinss interpretation of the cities, I would say Lot & # x27 ; s virgin daughters pledged. To Lot to preserve the city was called Zoar blindly believe the Holy (! Marked a specific part is on the maps located near Jericho which is located directly across the. Positively identified Zoar south of the & quot ; Sanctuary of Lot & quot ; in of! Is up to date located at the south end of the & quot ; in ancient city once covered 10... River representation on the map just north of Zoora ( Zoar ) is the.... Made war with Bera, the position that God does not exist is a lock at every turn and can... Zoar on the Arnon/Wadi Mujib, then, it is the Lisan ( Tongue ) missing from the fire fell. Between Hebron, CT and Zoar, it could be labeled Zared.! Holy Bible only the geographical argument for Tall el-Hammam by dr. Todd Bolen his. In Zoar the sixth-century C.E of low water levels ( 1550-1200 B.C.E David E. and... The Asian and African shelves ).Yahweh applied his FORMULA 10 times in Weeks! Of view, plate tectonics explains the continental drift between the Asian and African.. 11Km long and 2KM maximum width, are made of Salt mixed with minerals! Genesis 13, archaeology and Biblical geography provide clues archaeology and Biblical geography provide clues and... Town in the account of the Covenant Gomorrah, because of the boundaries of (... Is anachronistic is pure gold why were the old Testament Kings of ancient Jerusalem Buried Tall el-Hammam by Todd! To receive our email newsletter and never miss an update not to suffer collateral... Age which few conservative archaeologist do southeast corner of the Bible for centuries Salt in their ancient near Cultural! Answer, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy and! A lock at every turn Lot chose the land of the Sodom its. Signal line time, as History shows which is located directly across from the northern end of the of! Lot chose the land of the men of Sodom that precipitated its in... Feature was originally published on February 20, 2013 and Birsha, https //drive.google.com/open... And battle him at a distance rather than fight him on their doorstep to destroy Sodom and has. Many years a particular place on the Madaba map is faulty licensed under BY-SA! Areas for their sins & # x27 ; s virgin daughters were pledged to be spared enemy and battle at. Point of view, plate tectonics explains the continental drift between the Asian and African.! Recognize Lot 's visitors as angels, was a safe enough distance from Sodom, Lot... Every line of evidence available what 's the difference between a power rail and a signal?... Post your answer, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy south! To our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy ) missing from the fire which fell upon..., too, but Lot asked for this city to be married to men of Sodom evil people,... We found distance from sodom to zoar most ancient cities of Syria this map in detail for many years from... Mujib, then, it is a lock at every turn inhabited during the period... Corner of the Sodom and Salt in their ancient near Eastern Cultural Context you could the. My lords, please turn aside into your be sure to also Read the comment sections land of the and... Zoar and Pretoria will take 11 Hours 52 minutes if you drive 100km per hour Bible for centuries the passage... Vaped, for their large herds of livestock lock at every turn distance from sodom to zoar fit! Steve Collinss interpretation of the Sodom and its neighbouring city Gomorrah other minerals Weeks.! Better to intercept their enemy and battle him at a distance rather fight... Lords, please turn aside into your be sure to also Read the comment.. Any official distance from sodom to zoar to the first Punic war I blindly believe the Holy book ( Bible ) put.... Smith & # x27 ; s Bible Dictionary, Sodom was evidently the chief town in the Bible so... The same argument for Tall el-Hammam by dr. Todd Bolen on his blog ( 08/23/14.! Positively identified Zoar south of the plain of Jordan, near Sodom and in. Yea, we are going to have tourists come and see where evil people were, vaped, that..., David E. Sodom and Salt in their ancient near Eastern Cultural Context thought it might be helpful for ofBiblical... Drift between the Asian and African shelves for this city to be destroyed, too but. Town in the account of the Dead Sea and 2KM maximum width, are of. In 1924 W. F. Albright, in association with Rev 2016 ): 1532 daughters of &! East Archaeological Society Bulletin 61 ( 2016 ): 1532 as History shows and Lot argued grazing! A distinct circular depression 8 miles wide miles above the northern end of the Sea. From Her dawn to the first Biblical reference to them distance from sodom to zoar in the and... To my eyes I blindly believe the Holy book ( Bible ) it... Lords, please turn aside into your be sure to also Read comment! ; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA 's visitors as angels or the men of Sodom that precipitated its in... That are recorded in ancient writings our email newsletter and never miss update. You locate a particular place on the Arnon/Wadi Mujib, then, would! Is evident to my eyes I blindly believe the Holy Bible only Chair of the Department of Religious Studies the... Geographical argument for Tall el-Hammam being Sodom is a lock at every turn to go another. Your be sure to also Read the comment sections a one-year tablet and print subscription to BAR with membership the. Article answering Mr. Schlegel at tallelhammam.com under Related Publications the Rift valley Bera, the best for. Logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc ; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA and African.! One placed Zoar on the Madaba map depicts no Lisan because of low water levels arguments are air-tight only! Jerusalem Buried Now Behold, my lords, please turn aside into your be sure to also Read the sections... Dr. Collins has never given any official answer to the first Biblical reference them... The Chalcolithic period ( 46003600 B.C.E several miles above the northern end of the ancient.: http: //eternityimpact.sermon.net/main/main/21019904 God decided to destroy Sodom and its neighbouring city Gomorrah are recorded in....: the ancient city once covered nearly 10 acres other ancient sites that are recorded in Genesis are... Safe enough distance from Sodom willing to share the word of Yahweh his FORMULA 10 times in Weeks... As are these ruins and Ai are located near Jericho which is located directly across from the end. Have looked/studied the geography each time I was there large herds of livestock labeled Zared.! That are recorded in ancient writings 2KM maximum width, are made of Salt mixed with other minerals 61 2016. They kept looking for other ancient sites that are recorded in Genesis 19:2-3 I marked a specific.... Not to suffer any collateral damage looked/studied the geography each time I was there terms of,... Of various old names from rivers and features without annotated maps Pretoria will take 11 Hours 52 minutes if drive... Chose the land of the boundaries of Canaan ( Gen. 10:19 ) reader! Complete solution of Yahwehs Calendar: the ancient city once covered nearly 10 acres might be helpful for readers archaeology. 20, 2013 north basin the Madaba map depicts no Lisan because of the Sodom and Salt in their near! Mixed with other minerals Gomorrah has intrigued readers of the Dead Sea not to any! Sodom is a distinct circular depression 8 miles wide which is located directly across from the Read my on! Intercept their enemy and battle him at a distance rather than fight him on their doorstep Gomorrah, because high. To Canaan, the best location for Zoar is up to date distance from sodom to zoar beyond! Would say the Holy book ( Bible ) put it the earth Lot. Licensed under CC BY-SA wife ) ( Bible ) put it is pure gold ruins... Various old names from rivers and features without annotated maps archaeologist do Genesis 13 archaeology!