Tuesday, June 27, 2023

The Nabatean king Aretas IV

NABATEAN (NABATAEAN) WATCH: Aretas IV: An Archaeological Biography (Bryan Windle, Bible Archaeology Report). HT the Bible Places Blog.
In our next bioarchaeography, we’ll be archaeology [sic] to explore the life of the Nabataean king, Aretas IV. He is only mentioned once in the Bible in connection with the apostle Paul’s escape from Damascus. He is also indirectly involved in the drama surrounding John the Baptist’s death, as the prophet had publicly criticized Herod Antipas for divorcing his first wife, the daughter of Aretas, to marry Herodias (Lk 3:19).

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That biblical mention is in 2 Corinthians 11:32.

PaleoJudaica posts involving King Aretas IV are here and here. One involving his coins is here.

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