Biblical World

Episode: Mary Buck continues her study of the Second Temple period by focusing on the Persian Period, and especially, the Achaemenid Empire. Learn about this incredibly powerful yet lesser-known period of history, and figures like Cyrus, Darius, and others who shaped biblical history. Host: Learn about Mary Buck HERE. Image Attribution: Map, By Cattette - CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=113179532; Cyrus the Great's Tomb - By Bernd81 - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=63225153 Previous Episodes. This is our third installment in our Second Temple series hosted by Mary Buck. Listen to previous episodes on the Assyrian Period and the Babylonian Period. Give: Visit our Donate Page if you want to help Biblical World and OnScript continue by becoming a regular donor.  

Episode: We’re back with Tablet X of the Epic of Gilgamesh! Enjoy this next installment with Amy and Chris as Gilgamesh goes in search of Utnapishtim! Click to listen back to PART 1,  PART 2, PART 3, PART 4, PART 5, PART 6, PART 7, PART 8, PART 9, and PART 10. Hosts: Chris McKinny and Amy Balogh Image Attribution: Item CBS7771 at Penn Museum - https://www.penn.museum/collections/object_images.php?irn=245958#image1

Episode: In part II of our intro to Biblical Archaeology, Kyle and Chris explore the contributions of W. F. Albright (who knew over 20 languages) and G. E. Wright, Kathleen Kenyon and others, and the emergence of New Archaeology, regional approaches, and other new methods. They also consider questions of faith and history, theology and archaeology, and text and the past. They discuss how archaeology is ill-suited to "slay the dragon of theological liberalism," but also how it contributes to faith. How can we grapple well with the intersection of these fields that often seem so far apart? Hosts: Chris McKinny and Kyle Keimer Give: Visit our Donate Page if you want to help Biblical World and OnScript continue by becoming a regular donor. Image Attribution: Beit Shemesh, By David Bena - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=126071700

Episode: In this two-part series, Kyle and Chris delve deeply into the history of "biblical" archaeology. What is this field? How did we get to where we are today? Who are some of the characters that shaped the field along the way? If you've ever pondered these (or related) questions, then this mini-series is for you. Hosts: Chris McKinny and Kyle Keimer Give: Visit our Donate Page if you want to help Biblical World and OnScript continue by becoming a regular donor. Image Attribution: By NASA, earthobservatory, http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/ - http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NewImages/Images/modis_near_east_lrg.jpg, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=176941

Episode: In this second of our “Second Temple Series,” Mary Buck discusses the Neo-Babylonian period. Of particular interest is the impact of the Babylonian Empire on the Kingdom of Judah. Babylonian Period. This short-lived "flash-in-the-pan" empire has an outsized impact on history. Learn how and why in this episode! Key BCE dates discussed: 627 - Nabopolassar (rebels against Assyria) 612 - Nineveh falls, capital moves to Haran 606 - Nebuchadnezzar II (famous from Daniel, etc.). Egyptians and Assyrians unite against Babylon. Battle of Carchemish - Nebuchadnezzar II defeats the Assyrian-Egyptian coalition. 605 - Nebuchadnezzar II pursues Egyptian army back to the brook of Egypt. (but don't take territory there) 599-597 - Jehoiakim rebels against Babylon (dies in 597), then Jehoiakin exiled to Babylon. Finally, Zedekiah appointed as vassal king. 588 - Judah relies on Egypt to resist Babylon 587/6 - Nebuchadnezzar II returns to Jerusalem a final time, laying siege to the city. Jerusalem falls, partial deportation. 586-573 - 13yr. siege of Tyre. 549 - Cyrus the Great comes to power in Elam 538 - Fall of Babylon (without battle?) Other references:  Al-Yahudu tablets - over 100 cuneiform tablets about the lives of Judean exiles, in the Bible Lands Museum (Israel) Ration texts related to Jehoiakin and his five sons Host: Mary Buck is hosting this series!! Listen to the Assyrian episode HERE. Image Attribution: By Robert Koldewey (10 September 1855 – 4 February 1925) - Die Tempel von Babylon und Borsippa : nach den Ausgrabungen durch die Deutsche Orient-Gesellschaft, 1911, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=87505819 Give: Visit our Donate Page if you want to help Biblical World and OnScript continue by becoming a regular donor.

Episode: We're back with Tablet IX of the Epic of Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh must face reality. From the grief over Enkidu to a search for his (Noah-like) ancestor Utnapishtim on Mt. Mashu, Gilgamesh will learn about his mortality. Meet scorpion beings and enjoy this next installment with Amy and Chris! Click to listen back to PART 1,  PART 2, PART 3, PART 4, PART 5, PART 6, PART 7, PART 8 and PART 9.  Hosts: Chris McKinny and Amy Balogh Image Source: https://religion.fandom.com/wiki/Scorpion_man

Episode: We’re back now with Tablet VIII of the Epic of Gilgamesh, and our grief knows no bounds. Tune in and hear Amy and Chris discuss the depths of Gilgamesh's pain, grief, and loss. They also discuss how Gilgamesh memorializes his friend, and what might have happened in the missing part of the tablet. Click to listen back to PART 1,  PART 2, PART 3, PART 4, PART 5, PART 6, PART 7, and PART 8. Hosts: Chris McKinny and Amy Balogh Image Attribution: Cylinder Seal from the British Museum. See https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/W_1899-0418-9

Episode: We’re back, with Tablet VII of the Epic of Gilgamesh, an emotional high point in the epic. Chris and Amy take us into the friendship of Gilgamesh and Enkidu, the aftermath of Humbaba's death, and the curse-filled waiting for Enkidu's fate to unfold. Tune in and enjoy! Click to listen back to PART 1,  PART 2, PART 3, PART 4, PART 5, PART 6, and PART 7. Hosts: Chris McKinny and Amy Balogh Image Attribution:By Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin FRCP(Glasg) - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=90610606 Give: Visit our Donate Page if you want to help Biblical World and OnScript continue by becoming a regular donor.

Episode: Kyle Keimer joins to add insights from archaeology to an earlier OnScript episode called Misunderstanding Sacrifice (listen HERE). Dru and Matt L talk about the incomplete pictures gained from archaeology AND the Bible, and how to grapple with both. This episode is cross-listed with the OnScript podcast. Guest/Co-Host: Kyle Keimer is know to listeners of our Biblical World podcast, and follow THIS link to get to know him more. Give: Visit our Donate Page if you would like to support the work of OnScript and Biblical World. Image Attribution: By illustrators of the 1890 Holman Bible - http://thebiblerevival.com/clipart/1890holmanbible/bw/altarofincensealtarofburnt-offeringlaver.jpg, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=9424389

Episode: In this first of our "Second Temple Series," Mary Buck takes us back well before the Second Temple Period, back to the Assyrian Period. Beware, there's a pop quiz here! Learn which Second Temple site is her favorite, and much more! Host: Mary Buck is back hosting this new series!! Image Attribution: By יעקב - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15709510 Give: Visit our Donate Page if you want to help Biblical World and OnScript continue by becoming a regular donor.

Episode: We’re back, with Tablet VI of the Epic of Gilgamesh. Chris and Amy take us on a deep dive into the "love" of Ishtar, Gilgamesh refusing that love as cruel and temporary, the Bull of Heaven's rage and death, and the impending fate of Enkidu. Tune in and enjoy! Click to listen back to PART 1,  PART 2, PART 3, PART 4, PART 5, and PART 6. Hosts: Chris McKinny and Amy Balogh Image Attribution: By Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin FRCP(Glasg) - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=92742680 Give: Visit our Donate Page if you want to help Biblical World and OnScript continue by becoming a regular donor.

Episode: Part 2 of our Best Archaeological Finds for 2024 (we’re not that far into 2025!). Enjoy this second of a two-part series.  Hosts: Chris McKinny and Kyle Keimer Give: Visit our Donate Page if you want to help Biblical World and OnScript continue by becoming a regular donor. Related Episodes: Have a listen to Part I HERE. Image Attribution: Cuneiform tablet known as Letter ZTT 22. (Credit: Ziyaret Tepe Archaeological Project)

Episode: Back by popular demand is our Best Archaeological Finds series, and this one for 2024 (we're not that far into 2025!). Enjoy this first of a two-part series. Hosts: Chris McKinny and Kyle Keimer Give: Visit our Donate Page if you want to help Biblical World and OnScript continue by becoming a regular donor. Image Attribution: Cuneiform tablet known as Letter ZTT 22. (Credit: Ziyaret Tepe Archaeological Project)

Episode: We're continuing our series on Egypt and the Bible! In this episode we're focused on the geography, archaeology, and the history of the exodus, including the route and wilderness wanderings. We discuss the sites Pi-Ramesses, Pithom, and Succoth. Hosts: Chris McKinny and Mark Janzen Give: Visit our Donate Page if you want to help Biblical World and OnScript continue by becoming a regular donor. Image Attribution: By Ancient_Egypt_map-en.svg: Jeff Dahlderivative work: Wikipedia Egypt Series: Check out these other episodes in the Egypt Series * Egypt and the Bible (Part 1) - https://onscript.study/egypt-and-the-bible-part-1-mark-janzen-and-chris-mckinny/ * Egypt and the Bible (Part 2) - https://onscript.study/egypt-and-the-bible-part-2-mark-janzen-and-chris-mckinny/ * Karnak and Egyptology - https://onscript.study/podcast/biblical-world-karnak-mark-janzen/ * The Egyptian Plagues - https://onscript.study/the-egyptian-plagues-real-world-calamities-on-the-nile-egypt-series/ * Early or Late Emergence of Israel - https://onscript.study/early-or-late-emergence-of-israel-egypt-series-chris-mckinny-and-mark-janzen/

Episode: In this episode, Kyle and Chris are joined by John Monson to discuss the history of one of their favorite subjects – the Historical Geography of the Bible.  Guest: Dr. Monson was born to missionary parents in Zaire but spent most of his youth in Jerusalem, Israel, where he developed an interest in biblical studies, archaeology, and historical geography. Prior to coming to Trinity he taught for eleven years at Wheaton College, where he received the Faculty Achievement Award in Teaching. His archaeological fieldwork has taken him to Syria, Lebanon, and numerous excavations in Israel. He's the author of Dothan I: Remains from the Tell (1953-1964), co-editor, (Eisenbrauns, 2005), 1 Kings in the Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary, and The Temple of Solomon (Oxford University Press, forthcoming) (adapted from the TEDS website). Hosts: Chris and Kyle Give: Visit our Donate Page if you want to help Biblical World and OnScript continue by becoming a regular donor. Resource: Jerusalem University College offers short term study courses in Historical Geography in the land of Israel, both in-person and online. https://www.juc.edu/academics/short-term-study-programs/historical-geographical/ Image Attribution: https://www.juc.edu/academics/master-arts/biblical-history-and-geography/  

Episode: Episode: In this episode, Kyle and Chris talk about the fundamentals of biblical archaeology - both its underlying methodology and why they remain hopeless devotees to it. This episode includes stories from the field, the similarities and differences with Raiders of the Lost Ark, and so much more!  If you wondered what biblical archaeology is and why you should care - this is the episode for you. Hosts: Chris McKinny and Kyle Keimer Resources: Blakely, Jeffrey A. And Lawrence E. Toombs. 1980. The Tell el-Hesi Field Manual: The Joint Archaeological Expedition to Tell el-Hesi Vol. 1. Boston: American Schools of Oriental Research. ISBN: 0897572033.   Cline, Eric H. 2009. Biblical Archaeology: A Very Short Introduction. New York; Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN-13: 978-0-19-534263-5    ------ 2017. Three Stones Make A Wall: The Story of Archaeology. Princeton: Princeton University Press. ISBN: 9780691183237   Harris, Edward C. 1989. Principles of Archaeological Stratigraphy. 2nd edition. London San Diego: Academic Press. (available for free download at URL). ISBN-13. 978-0123266514   Renfrew, Colin, Paul Bahn, and Elizabeth DeMarrais. 2024. Archaeology: Theories, Methods, and Practice. Ninth edition. Thames & Hudson: London. ISBN-13: 9780500849989   Strange, James Riley. 2023. Excavating the Land of Jesus: How Archaeologists Study the People of the Gospels. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans. ISBN: 9780802869500   Urban, Patricia A. And Edward Schortman. 2019. Archaeological Theory in Practice. 2nd edition. New York: Routledge. ISBN: 9781138202801 Give: Visit our Donate Page if you want to help Biblical World and OnScript continue by becoming a regular donor. Image Attribution: Courtesy of the Khirbet el-Ra'i Expedition

Episode: We're back, with Tablet V of the Epic of Gilgamesh. Chris and Amy take us on a deep dive into the great cedar forest at the mountains of the gods, where they will face Humbaba, guardian of the forest. Tune in and enjoy! Click to listen back to PART 1,  PART 2, PART 3, PART 4, and PART 5.  Hosts: Chris McKinny and Amy Balogh Article by Amy mentioned in the Episode: Balogh, Amy L. "Chapter 2 The Tree of Life in Ancient Near Eastern Iconography". In The Tree of Life, (Leiden, The Netherlands: Brill, 2020). Access the article HERE. Give: Visit our Donate Page if you want to help Biblical World and OnScript continue by becoming a regular donor. Image Attribution: Wikipedia. By Rama, CC BY-SA 3.0 fr, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=50284881  

Episode: Chris and Kyle continue their series on the book of Judges, looking at the Ephraimite conquest of Bethel in Judges 1:22-26. They cover problems in the archaeology of Bethel, and they discuss the identity of the "Hittites" in this same passage.  Hosts: Chris McKinny and Kyle Keimer Give: Help support OnScript and Biblical World as we grow and develop. Click HERE. Image: Khirbet Banat Bar, sometimes identified with the town of Zeredah in Ephraim, birthplace of Jeroboam. By Bukvoed - Own work, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=97495425

Episode: In this episode, Chris and Kyle discuss a recent journal article that claims to have found new evidence of Sennacherib’s 701 BC campaign against Judah. The article makes a lot of interesting, but ultimately problematic claims about the Historical Geography of the Biblical World. (Note: Although the audio makes reference to video, we were unable to do the video) Hosts: Chris and Kyle Give: Help support OnScript and Biblical World as we grow and develop. Click HERE. Image: King seated on his throne, within the walls of a captured city, including three houses and seven tents. [Quyunjik], Layard, nypl.digitalcollections.510d47dc-4779-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99.001.g Stephen Compton Article - https://popular-archaeology.com/article/first-ever-discovery-of-ancient-assyrian-military-camps-includes-biblical-site/

Episode: New co-host Jason Staples speaks with Jodi Magness, Kenan Distinguished Professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill about her new book, Jerusalem Through the Ages: From Its Beginnings to the Crusades (Oxford University Press, 2024), the spectacular synagogue mosaic her team discovered at Huqoq, why specializing in pottery is an advantage for archaeologists, and lots more. Guest: Dr. Jodi Magness is Kenan Distinguished Professor for Teaching Excellence in Early Judaism at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Magness’ research interests, which focus on Palestine in the Roman, Byzantine, and early Islamic periods, and Diaspora Judaism in the Roman world, include ancient pottery, ancient synagogues, Jerusalem, Qumran and the Dead Sea Scrolls, and the Roman army in the East. Her most recent books are Jerusalem Through the Ages: From Its Beginnings to the Crusades (New York: Oxford University, March 2024); and Ancient Synagogues in Palestine: A Reevaluation Nearly a Century After Sukenik’s Schweich Lectures. The Schweich Lectures of the British Academy 2022 (London: The British Academy/Oxford University Press, June 2024). Three of Magness’ books have won awards: Masada: From Jewish Revolt to Modern Myth (Princeton: Princeton University, 2019) was selected as a finalist for the 2019 National Jewish Book Award in the category of History, the Gerrard and Ella Berman Memorial Award; The Archaeology of Qumran and the Dead Sea Scrolls (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2002; revised edition 2021) won the 2003 Biblical Archaeology Society’s Award for Best Popular Book in Archaeology in 2001-2002 and was selected as an “Outstanding Academic Book for 2003” by Choice Magazine; and The Archaeology of the Early Islamic Settlement in Palestine (Winona Lake, IN: Eisenbrauns, 2003) was awarded the 2006 Irene Levi-Sala Book Prize in the category of non-fiction on the archaeology of Israel. Her other books include The 2003-2007 Excavations in the Late Roman Fort at Yotvata (co-authored with G. Davies) (Winona Lake, IN: Eisenbrauns, 2015); The Archaeology of the Holy Land from the Destruction of Solomon’s Temple to the Muslim Conquest (New York: Cambridge University, 2012); and Stone and Dung, Oil and Spit: Jewish Daily Life in the Time of Jesus (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2011). In addition, Magness has published dozens of articles in journals and edited volumes. (from the UNC website) Give: Help support OnScript and Biblical World as we grow and develop. Click HERE.