Spirits

Geoff Hudson — UK (4/19/2009 5:05:51 AM)

It is obvious that spirit language must have been a part of early Judaism. For example, we have the two spirits of the DSS. Then we have in the NT, "spiritual gifts", which were really gifts of spirits, turned into "spirtitual gifts" by later editors. Spirits animated bodies. Every action could be attributed to a spirit.

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incantation skulls

Brian sandridge — United States (4/17/2009 11:59:03 AM)

There perhaps is some connection between the name "Shilta" in the incantation and the word "Shifra" from Exodus 1:15. Shifra and Puah were the two named Hebrew midwives Pharoah ordered to kill all newborn males, but to allow the females to live. Commentaries often mention the idea that these were not two individuals, but perhaps two society or "guilds" of midwives.

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C.E. a Logical Expression

Philo-Semite — (4/15/2009 6:40:57 AM)

Christopher Taylor makes a mistake born of intolerance and ignorance. "A.D." has the literal Latin meaning "in the year of our Lord" and so is inappropriate for use by Jews (who technically blaspheme by using it) or by atheists (who might simply be uncomfortable). "C.E." for "common era" is a very logical substitute which I find completely inoffensive. Taylor should think twice before attempting to force others to his religious worldview.

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No

Helpful Sam — (4/12/2009 10:04:26 AM)

No, he isn't at the centre of history, he's just at the centre of the Christian worldview- actually, he begins that worldview, only 2,000 years ago. Before that history rolls out for at least another 5,000, or 10,000, or 50,000, years, and is really, really interesting if you bother to look at the facts, instead of trying to make everything fit a preconceived model which you have arbitrarily been conditioned, by an accident of your birth and family situation, into parroting as though you think it is true. And, let's face it, civilisation took a big turn for the worse once the Roman Empire became officially Christian, having been Pagan for its entire triumphant existence until then. Nearly a thousand years of glorious civilisation (much more if you include the Hellenic and Egyptian components, which are crucial), and then overnight it's all wiped out, Europe enters the dark ages and why? Because Europe became Christian. One thousand years of barbarism and savagery descends upon the land, led by the Church, until the rediscovery of the Pagan world in the 15th century and its rebirth in the Renaissance, out of which came modern science, democracy (a pagan Greek invention from centuries B.C.) and the freedom of thought which we enjoy today. So by all means go ahead and use C.E. -current era, common era, whatever. It is the better choice. Actually I think Common Era is best of all - those who think in terms which are Christ-centric are most certainly terribly, terribly "common".

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CE

Christopher Taylor — USA (3/12/2009 12:43:29 PM)

You keep using this "CE" abbreviation and calling it "Current Era." What happened to distinguish between BCE and CE that makes that time so significant and divides the eras? Trying to avoid Christ in your nomenclature fails because of this simple fact: He's still at the center of history.

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biblical perspective

Nik — (3/7/2009 11:20:34 PM)

What is ironic about these bowls, and even skulls, is how they actually defiled any one who used them for 'magical incantations'. Tools of the trade for superstitious people who were attempting to ward off demons, while in reality they were providing opportunity for the powers of darkness via forbidden practices. Leviticus 19:26 contains the command: "Do not practice divination or sorcery." Leviticus 19:31 warns the people of Israel that they will be "defiled" by consulting mediums and spiritists. And Isaiah 2:6 describes how Israel was "full of superstitions from the East". Various ancient myths gave rise to Lilith - based on gnostic, Talmudic and Midrashic legends. But in Isaiah 34:14, the Hebrew word pronounced lee-leeth' refers to nocturnal creature(s), along with the hyenas and wild goats mentioned in the same verse. The meaning of Isaiah 34:14 can be compared to other prophesies that describe an inhabited area that would become a wasteland after destruction swept through. Compare Isaiah 34:14,15 with 23:13; 13:21,22 and Jeremiah 50:39. In these verses you will find 'night creatures', 'desert creatures', 'wild goats', 'hyenas' and 'owls' mentioned as creatures that will inhabit the ruins.

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Inscription on human skull

Martha Murphy — USA (3/2/2009 9:49:19 AM)

I'm not an archaeologist, so I'm guessing here: Presumably an inscription is written on a bowl, then some kind of offering to the power invoked is placed in the bowl. In this case, the offering is a skull, and then invocation is written on the skull to make sure the demon ingests it.

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skull with text

steve — USA (2/28/2009 4:00:05 PM)

Very interesting.Many cultures gave special signifigance to skulls for various purposes & reasons.Skulls were used as symbols of power, or reverence, or as a means of remembering the person it belonged to & so on.As time goes by we see theings differently, back when science, magic,religion were not so seperate or thought to be incompatable. Uh, it's funny how our perspectives & such change over the centuries & millenia gone by.Of course nowadays most of us dont mess with magic or casting of spells, or other such things, yet some of it still does exsist.I think that the human skull is sort of special & signifigant even in these times,it is unique to each person,as to its size & shape & certain other features.Tho' sometimes thot to be macarbe it is a lasting sort of timeless thing, the skeleton in general, and ought to be preserved. Yet that could be a problem storage wise.Anyway thanks BAR for the article.Later. sincerely, Stever

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Incantation bowl

Diana Gainer — United States of America (2/25/2009 2:12:44 PM)

As I've been researching the Hurrian & Hittite Kumarbi myths, I find it interesting that a skull, an image of a female (Lilith), and a snake are combined here. This seems possibly remotely connected to the Hurrian myth of Hedammu, the sea dragon, tempted by Sauska, an incarnation of Ishtar, and presumably then dispatched by Sir Storm, Tessub, though that bit hasn't survived. Hedammu eats great quantities without being satisfied, drinks an alcoholic beverage prepared by Sauska but doesn't fall asleep (as another dragon does in Hittite myth), and floods over 100 cities with his "seed" at the sight of Sauska decked only in a seashell, displaying her "wares" by the shore. Skulls pile up before the tablet breaks off. The Hurrians influenced most of Syria and the Canaanite coast, so perhaps they touched on ancient Israel too?

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