However, there were many places named Ur in antiquity. In Genesis, Abraham was said to have been born in Ur of the Chaldees. In the story of Abraham, we learn how one man was called by God to become the founding father of the Israelites in the land of Canaan. These ideas may explain why Joseph had to appear hairless-and circumcised-before entering Pharaoh’s palace. Fried examines Egyptian ideas of cleanliness and purity.

Why, and what, did Joseph shave? In “Why Did Joseph Shave?” Lisbeth S. Most people in ancient Mesopotamia did not shave. Summoned from the dungeon to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams, Joseph shaved before approaching the ruler of Egypt. Sold into slavery by his brothers, Joseph ended up in a prison in Egypt and there became known for his ability to interpret dreams. The story of Joseph in Genesis is well known. To what extent is there a relationship between these two texts? In this comparative study, Hurowitz examines the similarities and differences between the Babylonian myth and the Biblical story and sets them in the historical context of the ancient Near East.

A text which describes the divine activities of the gods and the creation of man, Enuma Eliš includes many of the motifs found in the Biblical Creation story. Was this story heavily influenced by an ancient Babylonian Creation myth called Enuma Eliš? In “The Genesis of Genesis,” Victor Hurowitz explores this question. The Creation story from Genesis explains how the world was formed and how humankind was created. Learn about early Biblical figures, cities and environments in this FREE eBook. Biblical scholars and archaeologists have nonetheless been able to provide cultural contexts for many of Israel’s earliest traditions. The esoteric stories and lost landscapes in the Book of Genesis present a great challenge for historians. Explore Mesopotamian creation myths, Joseph’s relationship with Egyptian temple practices and three different takes on the location of Ur of the Chaldees, the birthplace of Abraham. In this FREE eBook, discover the cultural contexts for many of Israel’s earliest traditions. Exploring Genesis: The Bible’s Ancient Traditions in Context

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