I have placed my new Study into the Babylonian Exile at http://www.jwstudies.com/They_would_not_listen_Version_1.pdf
When I set out on the journey of writing this Study, I was determined that I would not discuss chronologies or dating systems. Also, even though the subject is of fundamental significance to the WTS/GB/JWs, I was not going to make them the focus nor would it be a tit-for-tat point-scoring exercise of “I’m right/You’re wrong”. Nevertheless, since it is of such importance to that group, my Study naturally would impact them in some way or other.
I wanted this to be a journey of positive discovery, and in the end I learned an awful lot. The study took me to places I had not previously considered, and it told me things I had never thought about.
In the end, I do briefly highlight the difficulties that face the WTS/GB/JW, but this is not my focus of my Study.
I discovered that understanding the Exile gives me a better understanding of their Scripture, for so much of the Hebrew Scriptures (OT) is directly affected by the Exile.
I guarantee that every reader will learn something from the Study. I have designed it so that it is a resource, rather than a portrayal of my conclusions.
Since this is a new publication, I need corrections and additional relevant information, so that I can improve this Study. But I retain the right to decide what I accept.
My email address is available on the Study. I have been interested in this activity since the mid-1960s, and I have never betrayed a confidence, so please feel comfortable sending me an email.
I do not expect prompt responses, so I shall mention it again in say a month, to stimulate any responses.
Doug
New study on the Babylonian Exile, and without chronologies
by Doug Mason 6 Replies latest watchtower bible
-
Doug Mason
-
Atlantis
Doug:
Thank you Doug! Great job!
N. & A.
-
bohm
Great job. I am reading it now -- i allways liked your posts on babylonian chronology, and this seem like the same high quality. Im looking forward to reading this between christmas and new year.
And why are there no more comments?! this got to be bumped up so newbies do not think this site is all about global warming and our resident messias-in-a-drag!
-
Doug Mason
Atlantis and bohm,
Thank you.
I know there will be things in there that you will not fully agree with, and that's ok by me. Indeed, I expect every reader will disagree with some things I have written there. It's important that each of us remains true to our own genuinely-held convictions, and not have them forced upon us in a dictatorial fashion. We can agree to disagree, yet remain agreeable to one another, using our differences to the benefit of each. All I ask is that you check for yourself, and be comfortable with your own conclusions. I hope I provide a trigger that helps.
It took me some four years of thinking, several false starts and then 4 months of intensive research and writing. Having no editor or proof reader, I am relying on people to point out mistakes in spelling and grammar as well as in reasoning, interpretation and facts.
I provided reasonably long readings from my sources. I did this so that my Study would be a resource to aid in a reader's personal ongoing research. I consider the books I used as conventional works, representing mainstream Christian and Jewish scholarship. I recommend that anyone wishing to confirm or deny my material that they consult these resources and similar ones. I would like to know of any other resources similar in scholarship to those I used.
I welcome comments and criticisms, so that Version 2 will be an improvement. When that happens, I will let you know.
Doug
-
wobble
Thanks in advance Doug !
I have not read it yet, but I will, and I have no doubt I shall be educated some more.
Keep up the good work ! Happy Christmas and New year.
Love
Wobble
-
Larsinger58
Hi Doug.
Again, nicely presented work. This is mostly propaganda, which is fine. But let me just share to you my perspective in response to your work.
This work does not relate the the latest. The elect have Jericho falling in 1346 BCE by archaeology. RC14 dating for Shishak can be confirmed to 871 BCE which dates the Exodus to 1386 BCE. This would begin the reign of Akhenaten who is the pharaoh of the Exodus. The Bible confirms that after the ten plagues Egypt would convert to monotheism and worship YHWH and become his people, along with Assyria (Mittani) and Israel. Israel is mentioned last and we understand why. Because out of all those who were impacted by the ten plagues, Akhenaten was more focussed and devoted than the Israelites who didn't waste any time setting up an idol to worship. They were so rebellious after all that had been shown God made them spend 40 years in the wilderness until that primary generation died off.
But it also said he would have a new altar built in the middle of Egypt near its boundary. That is the imaginary boundary between Upper and Lower Egypt which is precisely where the new city of Akhetaten (Tell el-Amarna) is built. This confirms who the pharaohs of the Exodus were. So now, the elect expect senarios to reflect the latest dating and archaeology. It affects the NB Period because once the right pharaoh is set into place, it dates David and Solomon at a different time than now, that is, 54 years later. This in turns dates the Assyrian Period 54 years later as well, which is confirmed by a better match for an eclipse in Simanu as found in the Assyrian eponym which dates the Assyrian timeline. That is 709 BCE is a better match for this eclipse than 763. So entering the NB Period, knowing your dates are incorrect, nothing you say about the exile makes much sense.
When you correct the Assyrian timeline to line up with the Egyptian timeline and Akhenaten then the NB timeline likewise adjusts. Per the Bible and Josephus a 70-year interval from year 23 to the 1st of Cyrus confirms the 70-year exile. Further, we know from Biblical internal comparison that Gedaliah died in year 20. It's not a Biblical mystery or a guess, as you suggest. This lowers the observed expertise and perceived knowledge you have of Bible history.
But that leaves us hanging. We can't take anything seriously if you are creating great arguments in the timeframe of a non-Biblical chronology. So this is simply out of date and inaccurate.
So for us it is useless. But if the intent, as I say was propaganda to the inexperienced or those who don't really know all the chronology issues in place now, they might find some of this interesting. But it is useless for critical Biblicalists, especially those following Josephus who tells us in Ant. 11.1.1 exactly when the 70 years of exile prophesied by Jeremiah takes place. Now that is "relative" chronology not related to any chronologies.
That is, you need a scenario that includes Josephus' 70 years from year 23 to the 1st of Cyrus to have any credibility here. You need to dismiss it or do whatever, but you can't pretend you don't know about it because some might think you don't know about it and will just disregard you as inexpert and not well read in the matter.
Thanks for sharing your thesis.
LS
-
garyneal
bttt