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Thursday, January 31, 2019

"Governor" or "military commander?"

BIBLE HISTORY DAILY: Understanding an Ancient Israelite Military Title. “Governor of the city” or “commander of the fortress”?
A handful of ancient Israelite inscriptions feature an enigmatic title that has been variously translated as “governor of the city” and “commander of the fortress.” Who was this figure? In the article “Commander of the Fortress? Understanding an Ancient Israelite Military Title” by William M. Schniedewind, featured in the January/February 2019 issue of BAR, discover this figure’s importance and place in ancient Israelite and Judahite society.

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As usual, the full BAR article is behind the subscription wall. But this BHD essay gives you the basic argument.

For the "City Governor" (?) bulla found recently in Jerusalem, see here, here, and here.

Because it is mentioned in the above essay and article, BHD also republishes an old (2012) essay on the site of Kuntillet ‘Ajrud: Puzzling Finds from Kuntillet ‘Ajrud. A drawing of God labeled “Yahweh and his Asherah” or the Egyptian god Bes?. It was also republished last June. See the latter post for past PaleoJudaica posts on Kuntillet ‘Ajrud. For the final report on that site which the essay mentions, see here.

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