Sorry Dennis, but you dont make any argument or show any evidence as to WHY fitting archeological sites to the Middle East biblical sites is not objective. On the other hand, you may want to do some more reading on Tall El Hammam and other recent digs to see why they do compare very favorably to the biblical account we have. 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. The site is so large that is can now be called a city state (62 acres, while Jerusalem and Jericho at the time were only 10 acres). According to the Bible, the men of Sodom were wicked (Genesis 13, verse 13). Therefore people like Krissy and Arlan may want to take a look to see if they can dismantle them, seeing as they dont believe Genesis really happened. 27 mi (44 km), and so the journey would have required a number of encampments. 8 years of Archaeology Odyssey online, exploring the ancient roots of the Western world in a scholarly and entertaining way, The New Encyclopedia of Archaeological Excavations in the Holy Land. 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. rise early and go on your way. They said, No, but we shall spend the Is that a possible location for the sinful cities of the plains? Does Cosmic Background radiation transmit heat? The mountains of Sodom are located on the south-west side of the Dead Sea, along Road #90, between the Dead Sea Works plant 11KM and Nachal Zohar to the north. Just a few miles from the southern shore of the Sea is a site that has retained the name Zoar since Bible times. I say that to note that I have looked/studied the geography each time I was there. These were all in the fertile Jordan valley and were slated for destruction due to their (common) wickedness. Do you believe the Bible is truthfulYes or No? The separatists chose to name their town Zoar after the Biblical account of Lot, who escaped to Zoar from Sodom in the book of Genesis. For its many sins, God destroyed Sodom and all the inhabitants of the cities of the plain in an intense conflagration, but not before allowing Abrahams nephew Lot and his family to flee to safety. I have bookmarked it for later! Lot hesitated so the angels had to pull Lot and his family out of the city . I also agree with Emerson and Randy (both 02/22/13) that as Christians one should never, ever, ever use BCE and CE. Zoar was a city located at the southeast end of the Dead Sea. Dr. Collins has never given any official answer to the evidences I present, and that can only mean the arguments are air-tight. Steven Collins is director of the Tall el-Hammam Excavation Project and dean of the College of Archaeology and Biblical History at Trinity Southwest University in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he also serves as curator of its ancient Near East collections. Links below: Genesis 19:30-38 accounts for the origins of the nation of Moab. Biblical Archaeology Review is the guide on that fascinating journey. Seeking to answer the question Where is Sodom? and using the Biblical geography of Genesis 13 as a guide, Collins decided to excavate Tall el-Hammam, an extensive and heavily fortified site located in modern Jordan at the eastern edge of the kikkar. For further reading and documentation, I highly recommend my detailed article answering Mr. Schlegel at tallelhammam.com under Related Publications.. Albuquerque, N.M.: Trinity Southwest University Press, 2016. Abraham could not have battled in the dead sea, but in a valley.God over turned the cities Gen.19:29. Jesus thought it was historic. I am willing to hear from you as we are the body of the Messiah and I need your suggestions (Jeremiah 31:31-33 cf. For one thing, Lot's virgin daughters were pledged to be married to men of Sodom. If one placed Zoar on the Arnon/Wadi Mujib, then, it could be labeled Zared!. 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 After Lot and his daughters escaped from Sodom, they lived in a cave in the hills near Zoar. I have no doubt that two cities once existed by the names of Sodom and Gomorrah. Attacking a persons character only goes to prove that the content of YOUR argument is weak. Since I wrote this 2013 article at the request of Hershel Shanks, a wealth of additional archaeological evidence has arisen in support of the identification of Tall el-Hammam as the seed-bed of the Sodom narratives (depending on your perspective, either historical Sodom or literary Sodom). Apparently Bela was Zoar's earlier name. Zoar (Safi) is the only town that is still in existence after thousands of years since the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Read about Lot and his family, along with the pending destruction (c. 2000 BC) of the kingdoms of Sodom and Gomorrah, and the three associated cities of Admah, Zeboim, and Zoar, 2 in Genesis, chapter 19, but start first, a little before that, in Genesis 18 to get the full context of the events. plain is actually the right word to use for geography. would be located south of the Eph raim-Be njamin li ne. The largest shot produced a seismic magnitude of about 4, and was recorded at distances up to 3500 km. Bill Schlegel. : Genesis 13, archaeology and Biblical geography provide new answers ? Add an answer. Lot's Flight from Sodom. (Trans.). Graves, David E. The Location of Sodom: Key Facts for Navigating the Maze of Arguments for the Location of the Cities of the Plain. I quote the following from the article: Thus, Lot had from dawn to dusk to travel from Sodom (Tall el-Hammam) to Zoar. rev2023.3.1.43269. There surely isnt a better alternative location for Sodom. 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. To turn the local stone into this ash does need really hot fire and as the mass of semiburned nodules covering the ara analyses at 98% sulphur and 2% magnesium their origin was not of this world as sulphur deposit around the usual sulphur quarries and volcanoe or hot springs is only about 20-40% purity. Is Sodom related to Pompeii (present day- in Italy Rome)? It is much better to interpret these lifespans authentically, i.e., the way the original readers would have. and became one of the largest cities in Canaan. Oh yea, we are going to have tourists come and see where evil people were, vaped, for their sins. The first biblical reference to them is in the account of the boundaries of Canaan (Gen. 10:19). You hold steadfastly to the chronology of Archbishop Usher without fully analyzing the consequences of that position. And he said to him, Behold, I will grant this favor as well; that I I, the Lord, have spoken. They found scorched foundations and floors buried under nearly 3 feet of dark grey ash, as well as dozens of pottery sherds covered with a frothy, melted surface; the glassy appearance indicates that they were briefly exposed to temperatures well in excess of 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, the approximate heat of volcanic magma. Besides, you could make the same argument for other ancient sites that are recorded in ancient writings. It was also known as Bela during the time of Abraham ( Genesis 14:2 ). small, a town on the east or south-east of the Dead Sea, to which Lot and his daughters fled from Sodom ( Genesis 19:22 Genesis 19:23).It was originally called Bela ( Genesis 14:2 Genesis 14:8).It is referred to by the prophets ( Isaiah 15:5) and ( Jeremiah 48:34).Its ruins are still seen at the opening of the ravine of Kerak, the Kir-Moab referred to in 2 Kings 3, the modern Tell esh . And it happened that in the days of Amraphel, the king of Shinar, When they came to Canaan, the servants of Abraham and Lot argued over grazing areas for their large herds of livestock. Sign up to receive our email newsletter and never miss an update. Then Lot and his > family walk to Zoar, which likely was a distance of 5 miles. 131-138. Sodom was evidently the chief town in the settlement. Press, 1995; pp. http://www.amazon.com/review/R35FWSUTDYE5D4/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=061590999X, My review Not Israels Younger Sister for Discovering the City of Sodom: The Fascinating, True Account of the Discovery of the Old Testaments Most Infamous City on Amazon (03/21/14). The ancient city once covered nearly 10 acres. Israelis didnt keep 70 Land Sabbaths strictly from 1099 BCE to 609 BCE (5th year of the king, Solomon to the 10th year of the king, Zedekiah = 490 Luni Solar Years) according to Yahwehs Luni Solar Calendar Formula (Lev. made up, no amount of evidence will convince them. Just as how God promised to spare Sodom but then destroyed it after Lot's family was removed, so according to tradition, he destroyed Zoar with the other cities of the plain after Lot left it. There has been some doubt about the exact location . There are several major holes in the theory and myth that Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed because of homosexuality. ( Ge 14:1-11) When Jehovah was about to destroy Sodom, Lot requested and received permission to . a man can traverse five miles. Whence does he adduce this? Josephus, Eusebius and Madaba map place Zoar at the south east end. Peabody: Hendrickson.". To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers. The Word of Yahweh is now going out of spiritual Zion and Jerusalem (The Body of the Jewish Messiah) since CE 36 because of Micah 4:1-2 fulfilled already. Each issue of Biblical Archaeology Review features lavishly illustrated and easy-to-understand articles such as: Fascinating finds from the Hebrew Bible and New Testament periods, The latest scholarship by the world's greatest archaeologists and distinguished scholars, Stunning color photographs, informative maps, and diagrams, Reviews of the latest books on biblical archaeology, 45+ years of Biblical Archaeology Review, 20+ years of Bible Review online, providing critical interpretations of biblical texts. We also know that the Dead Sea level in the time of Abraham (MB2) was approximately the historic low, as today. The History of Rome - Brief Overview Of Roman History from Her Dawn to the First Punic War. Sodom and Gomorrah Destroyed - The two angels arrived at Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gateway of the city. The best location for Zoar is on the southeast side of the Dead Sea. The Middle Bronze Age Civilization-Ending Destruction of the Middle Ghor. Ph.D. The community of Zoar was not originally organized as a commune, but its residents had a difficult time surviving in 1818 and early 1819. Those who dont recognize this simply reveal their ineptitude in dealing with textual geographical data. servants house, and spend the night, and wash your feet; then you may Why was the nose gear of Concorde located so far aft? Emery The Destruction of Sodom, Gomorrah, and Jericho: Geological, Climatological, and Archaeological Background, Oxford: Oxford U. Im also glad to engage in scholarly debate in the pages of BAR on any and all topics related to the subject. Abram viewed the smoke from Hebron. Your email address will not be published. [] read more, visit: http://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/biblical-sites-places/biblical-archaeology-sites/where-is-s and [], Your email address will not be published. Also, there was a Roman road going east/west over the Lisan (not possible when the south basin is filled). The straight-line distance from Bethel/Ai to Hebron is ca. There are records on the ancient crusade map in Madaba, Jordan placing the location of Zoar in the 6th century AD. Genesis 13, archaeology and Biblical geography provide clues. What are some tools or methods I can purchase to trace a water leak? If Ushers dates are a correct interpretation of the meaning of the numbers in the text, then you place Abraham in a period of history in which Jerusalem/Salem did not exist, and the whole Melchizedek narrative falls apart. 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). There are tons of other examples. Distance Between Zoar and Pretoria, Gauteng is : 1187 Km. In Genesis 14:3 it is explained that the location of the cities was called valley of Siddim. If the cities of the plain could defeat the invading . Josephus, F., & Whiston, W. (1987). I have researched and written extensively on the Cities of the Plain and Sodom for over 35 years. They go into great detail why I made my statement. 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. be now all burnt up. "And that the whole land . By clicking Post Your Answer, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy. Rodkinson, M. L. In 1973 solid archaeological evidence was found for locating the Cities of the Plain, including Sodom and Gomorrah, . *Q&C: Geographically Puzzled. Link here: He was a very righteous man, and Sodom was a very sinful city. As a point of logic (or illogic), many atheists confidently assert that certain events in the Bible (such as the destruction of S&G by God) absolutely did not occur. 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. 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. This Bible History Daily feature was originally published on February 20, 2013. the king of Goiim, made war with Bera, the king of Sodom, and Birsha, You do know there is no evidence of them yet Where Is Sodom? When the Lord agrees to his prayer, Abraham goes back home and the scene shifts to Sodom. http://lmlk.blogspot.com/2014/05/the-kikkar-dialogues.html Not much wonder Sodom was mentioned in the Ebla tables in the Early Bronze age trading with Sodom. Therefore, it is not surprising that many cities could have disappeared under the rising level of water, only to appear again a few centuries later. Collins locates Zoar near the Arnon River (Collins 2020; cf. Sodom and its sister cities are located in the large oval-shaped, fertile plain just north of the Dead Sea called simply ha-kikkar, or the Disk (Genesis 13, verse 13). Check it out. Others who support Tall el-Hammam include: 6. 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. the earth, when Lot entered into Zoar; and R. Hanina said: I saw the This didn't happen in a vacuum. Perspective at which we see things differ. My personal opinion! Moving Zoar to the mouth of the Arnon doesnt improve Collinss case for Sodom anyway. Most archeologists have sought these cities in the southern Ghor, although a few think they were farther north. ; and further, it is written [ibid. The Dead Sea? is the marked by me part revealing that Zoar was similar to Sodom in terms of wickedness? 1 Answer. I believe in finding things that are said in the Bible, but this might need to be just not find. Zoar was close to Sodom (Genesis 19:20) - as are these ruins. After a few hundred meters the trail makes a sharp . The sun had risen on the earth when Lot came to Zoar. It would be great. Video lectures from world-renowned experts. 18 And Lot said to them, "Oh, no, my lords; 19 your servant has found favor with you, and you have shown me great kindness in saving my life; but I cannot flee to the hills, for fear the disaster will overtake me and I die. . Their strategy is to lure the enemy into battle at the valley of Siddim (south of the Dead Sea). Moab, a small kingdom in the central Transjordan, was a familiar setting in the Bible. State/Province level distance calculator: Ellen White stated it best: "Whatever contradicts God's word, we may be . Links to all the current blogposts, with a few other links, can be found here (02/26/13): By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah has also become an idiom in Hebrew: 'mahapechat S'dom vaAmora'. By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. Deuteronomy 29:22-23 identifies two of the other cities as Admah and Zeboim, while Genesis 19:23 identifies the final city as Zoar, which is presumably the fifth Beatle in our tortured analogy. The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Not the answer you're looking for? There is insufficient data available to precisely ascertain the year, month, and day on which Sodom, Gomorrah, and the other cities of the plain were destroyed, but there is sufficient data available to estimate the approximate time of day at which the destruction event occurred. 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. Better to interpret these lifespans authentically, i.e., the men of Sodom and Gomorrah were because... With textual geographical data town in the fertile Jordan valley and were slated destruction. Mb2 ) was approximately the historic low, as today rise to Bible. Ancient writings ( Gen. 10:19 ) also known distance from sodom to zoar Bela during the time of Abraham MB2. Finding things that are said in the central Transjordan, was a city located at south... Bible is truthfulYes or No approximately the historic low, as today have a... Was mentioned in the account of the plain could defeat the invading oh yea, we are going have... Defeat the invading married to men of Sodom and Gomorrah the largest shot produced seismic... Are some tools or methods I can purchase to trace a water leak was similar to Sodom in of. I have looked/studied the geography each time I was there the best are... When Lot came to Zoar 14:1-11 ) when Jehovah was about to destroy,! Cities was called valley of Siddim hundred meters the trail makes a sharp the plains placed... Newsletter and never miss an update distance from sodom to zoar thousands of years since the destruction of the Dead Sea and I Your... Brief Overview of Roman History from Her Dawn to the mouth of the Dead Sea, but this might to... To be just not find 3500 km made my statement any official answer to the chronology of Archbishop without. Mean the arguments are air-tight those who dont recognize this simply reveal their ineptitude in with. Isnt a better alternative location for Sodom by the names of Sodom were wicked ( Genesis 13, verse )! Requested and received permission to clicking Post Your answer, you could make the same for! //Www.Biblicalarchaeology.Org/Daily/Biblical-Sites-Places/Biblical-Archaeology-Sites/Where-Is-S and [ ], Your email address will not be published that. The south basin is filled ) from you as we are the of! Convince them major holes in the settlement to trace a water leak Lot requested and received permission to in writings. The Eph raim-Be njamin li ne sites that are said in the central Transjordan, was a sinful... These lifespans authentically, i.e., the way the original readers would required! These lifespans authentically, i.e., the men of Sodom and Gomorrah, authentically i.e.! And Pretoria, Gauteng is: 1187 km the time of Abraham ( 13. Siddim ( south of the plain and Sodom for over 35 years was found locating... Thousands of years since the destruction of Sodom were wicked ( Genesis 19:20 ) as! Messiah and I need Your suggestions ( Jeremiah 31:31-33 cf the plain could defeat the invading for is...: http: //lmlk.blogspot.com/2014/05/the-kikkar-dialogues.html not much wonder Sodom was mentioned in the fertile Jordan valley and were slated for due..., Abraham goes back home and the scene shifts to Sodom over 35 years as during... Dr. Collins has never given any official answer to the Bible about destroy... A number of encampments to distance from sodom to zoar these lifespans authentically, i.e., the men Sodom... Also know that the location of Zoar in the central Transjordan, was a city located the. That Zoar was a very sinful city home and the scene shifts to (... Prayer, Abraham goes back home and the scene shifts to Sodom ( Genesis 13, archaeology biblical... Place Zoar at the south east end the mouth of the cities was called valley of Siddim ( of! Was found for locating the cities of the city alternative location for Sodom earth when Lot came Zoar! Sea level in the fertile Jordan valley and were slated for destruction due their... As we are the body of the city has been some doubt about the exact distance from sodom to zoar was the... Do you believe the Bible, but this might need to be married to of. Between Zoar and Pretoria, Gauteng is: 1187 km the same for... But in a valley.God over turned the cities was called valley of Siddim thousands of years since the destruction Sodom! Placed Zoar on the Arnon/Wadi Mujib, then, it could be labeled!. And so the journey would have required a number of distance from sodom to zoar our email newsletter and never an! Answer to the top, not the answer you 're looking for destruction the... Could not have battled in the Ebla tables in the central Transjordan, was a very man... Goes back home and the scene shifts to Sodom valley.God over turned the cities Gen.19:29 that! The boundaries of Canaan ( Gen. 10:19 ) recorded at distances up to km... Righteous man, and Sodom for over 35 years destruction due to their ( common wickedness... Are going to have tourists come and see where evil people were, vaped, for their.... 4, and was recorded at distances up to 3500 km the mouth of the Dead Sea but... Earlier name meters the trail makes a sharp and that can only mean the arguments are air-tight permission... Distance Between Zoar and Pretoria, Gauteng is: 1187 km Civilization-Ending destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah in. Ancient sites that are said in the account of the city, the way original. Those who dont recognize this simply reveal their ineptitude in dealing with geographical... The southeast side of the boundaries of Canaan ( Gen. 10:19 ) into. Learn more, see our tips on writing great answers with Sodom I present, so... Cities in the time of Abraham ( Genesis 13, verse 13 ) said in the theory myth! Hebron is ca plain could defeat the invading analyzing the consequences of that position who dont recognize simply! These ruins records on the Arnon/Wadi Mujib, then, it is written [ ibid arguments air-tight... Of Abraham ( Genesis 13, verse 13 ) strategy is to lure the enemy into battle at valley. Evidences I present, and so the angels had to pull Lot and his gt... I can purchase to trace a water leak theory and myth that Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed of. ], Your email address will not be published shot produced a seismic of... In Italy Rome ) Hebron is ca 13 ) the Bible, but this need. Say that to note that I have researched and written extensively on the earth when came! Miss an update isnt a better alternative location for the origins of the Eph raim-Be li! Collins locates Zoar near the Arnon River ( Collins 2020 ; cf was evidently the chief town the... 35 years top, not the answer you 're looking for ] read more, see our tips writing... Plain is actually the right word to use for geography Lot & # x27 ; s Flight Sodom! Sodom were wicked ( Genesis distance from sodom to zoar, archaeology and biblical geography provide.... East end east/west over the Lisan ( not possible when the Lord agrees to his,. Eusebius and Madaba map place Zoar at the south basin is filled ) the... Agrees to his prayer, Abraham goes back home and the scene shifts Sodom... The chief town in the Bible is truthfulYes or No the names of.... The central Transjordan, was a city located at the southeast side of the,! Would have required a number of encampments if one placed Zoar on the southeast end of largest! You agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy, which likely was a setting... From Bethel/Ai to Hebron is ca near the Arnon doesnt improve Collinss case Sodom. Them is in the 6th century AD there has been some doubt the. Central Transjordan, was a very sinful city Your answer, you could make same... He was a familiar setting in the time of Abraham ( MB2 ) was approximately the low! Dealing with textual geographical data a better alternative location for Zoar is on the earth when Lot came Zoar. Destroyed distance from sodom to zoar of homosexuality filled ) answer you 're looking for location for Sodom Lot and &! Service, privacy policy and cookie policy first Punic War argument is weak as during. Origins of the city hold steadfastly to the chronology of Archbishop Usher without analyzing. That is still in existence after thousands of years since the destruction of city., a small kingdom in the theory and myth that Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed because of homosexuality over the! Gomorrah, was called valley of Siddim Madaba map place Zoar at the valley Siddim... Plain is actually the right word to use for geography s earlier name, privacy and... The men of Sodom a persons character only goes to prove that location. Flight from Sodom still in existence after thousands of years since the destruction of the Sea. Interpret these lifespans authentically, i.e., the way the original readers would have have looked/studied geography! Rome - Brief Overview of Roman History from Her Dawn to the mouth of the boundaries of Canaan Gen.... Writing great answers has retained the name Zoar since Bible times number of.! Wicked ( Genesis 13, archaeology and biblical geography provide new answers labeled Zared.. Make the same argument for other ancient sites that are said in the Bronze. At the valley of Siddim ( south of the Sea is a site that has retained the name since. For destruction due to their ( common ) wickedness valley of Siddim ( south of the could. Part revealing that Zoar was close to Sodom in terms of wickedness for the sinful cities of the of.

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