Abstract
The historical context and interpretation of the mention of the cities of Calneh, Hamath and Gath in Amos vi 2, has been the subject of much discussion. Recent finds from the excavations at Tell es-Sâfī, Israel (identified as biblical Gath of the Philistines), uncovered a destruction level and a siege system dated to the late 9th cent. BCE, apparent evidence of the conquest of Gath by Hazael of Aram (2 Kings xii 18). Subsequently, the site is of little significance until the end of the Iron Age. Based on this it is suggested, the three cities mentioned in Amos refer to cities captured and destroyed by Hazael, and that this oracle written not long after the destruction of Gath, whilst the memory of these events (and particularly the destruction of Gath) was fresh.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 319-334 |
| Number of pages | 16 |
| Journal | Vetus Testamentum |
| Volume | 54 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 2004 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2004 Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, The Netherlands.
Funding
11 For preliminary surveys of the results of the excavations, see, e.g., Boas and Maeir, 1998; idem, forthcoming; Boas, Maeir and Schneider; Maeir, 2000; idem, 2001; idem, forthcoming (A); idem, forthcoming (B); idem, forthcoming (C); Maeir and Ehrlich, 2000; idem, 2001; Ehrlich; Uziel; Ackermann et al.; Shai and Maeir. The excavations have been supported, by funding from, among others: the Kushitzky Foundation, the Ihel Foundation, and the Krautheimer Chair in Archaeology, all of Bar-Ilan University; the Institute for Aegean Prehistory; the Cotsen Foundation; and the Jewish Memorial Foundation. 12 See, e.g., Dothan; Stone.
| Funders | Funder number |
|---|---|
| Cotsen Foundation | |
| Ihel Foundation | |
| Kushitzky Foundation | |
| Institute for Aegean Prehistory | |
| Memorial Foundation for Jewish Culture |