101 Myths of the Bible: How Ancient Scribes Invented Biblical History

by Greenberg, Gary

• ISBN13: 9781570718427
• ISBN10: 1570718423
• Edition: Reprint
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-09-01
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Inc

Summary

In his startling book, Gary Greenberg exposes the reality behind the greatest story ever told. Learn about the Egyptian myths and ancient folklore that survive in one of history's most sacred texts, and discover how: -King David's bodyguard, not David, killed Goliath -Noah's Ark did not land on Mount Ararat -Samson did not pull down a Philistine temple -There are at least two versions of the Ten Commandments -The walls of Jericho were destroyed 300 years before Joshua arrived there -Sodom and Gomorrah were mythical cities that never existed -The story of Esther had nothing to do with the Jews of Persia -And much, much more 101 Myths of the Bible provides a new dimension of biblical studies for believers, historians and anyone who has ever wondered about the facts behind the legends. By looking deeper into history, Greenberg shows that the true story makes the Bible more interesting than ever imagined!

Table of Contents

Preface	ix
Introduction	xv
Notes on Terminology	xxvii
Timetable of Biblical History	xxix
Part I - Myths of the Beginning
Myths of the Beginning: An Overview	3	(8)
In the beginning everything was without form and void	11	(2)
God initiated Creation with a spoken word	13	(1)
Creation began with the appearance of light	14	(1)
God separated light from darkness on the first day	15	(2)
A firmament arose out of the primeval waters	17	(1)
God called the firmament heaven:	18	(1)
God gathered the waters in one place	19	(2)
Vegetation appeared before the sun	21	(1)
God created the heavenly bodies	22	(2)
Birds emerged from the primeval waters	24	(1)
God created man and woman in his own image	25	(3)
God created Adam and Eve on the sixth day	28	(4)
God gave man dominion over the creatures	32	(2)
God created earth on the third day	34	(3)
God rested on the seventh day	37	(2)
God rested after the Creation	39	(2)
The heavens and the earth had children	41	(2)
Adam and Eve were the first humans	43	(3)
God formed Adam from the dust of the earth	46	(2)
God planted a Tree of Life and a Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil	48	(3)
Adam would die if he ate from the Tree of Knowledge	51	(2)
God forbid Adam to eat certain fruit	53	(1)
Eve came from Adam's rib	54	(2)
Adam gained wisdom without immortality	56	(2)
There were other beings in the Garden of Eden before Adam and Eve	58	(1)
God planted a garden eastward in Eden	59	(3)
Adam and Eve lived a simple primitive lifestyle while in the Garden of Eden	62	(2)
The serpent was more subtle than any beast	64	(2)
God punished Adam, Eve, and the serpent	66	(2)
Cain killed Abel	68	(3)
Cain built a city east of Eden	71	(2)
God sent a flood to destroy mankind	73	(3)
Ham was the father of Canaan	76	(3)
Noah released birds to determine if the land had dried	79	(2)
The flood occurred in the tenth generation of humanity	81	(3)
All earthly life had become wicked and had to be destroyed	84	(3)
The sons of God married the daughters of man	87	(2)
Noah saved only two of each species	89	(1)
The rain lasted forty days and forty nights	90	(2)
The flood covered the entire earth and all the mountains	92	(1)
After the flood, Noah sacrificed all the clean animals	93	(1)
All living creatures not on the ark perished	94	(1)
God confused the common language of humanity and scattered the people about the world	95	(2)
The Ark landed on the mountains of Ararat	97	(2)
The sons of Noah formed the nations of the world	99	(2)
Nimrod conquered Babylon	101	(2)
The Sons of Ham were Cush, Mizraim, Phut, and Canaan	103	(12)
Part II - Myths of the Founders
Myths of the Founders: An Overview	107	(8)
Abraham came from Ur of the Chaldees	115	(2)
Abraham left Egypt to go to Canaan	117	(3)
God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah	120	(7)
Lot's wife turned into a pillar of salt	127	(2)
Lot fathered Ammon and Moab	129	(2)
Abraham pretended that Sarah was his sister	131	(4)
Jacob and Esau fought in the womb	135	(3)
Jacob cheated Esau out of his birthright	138	(4)
Jacob dreamed about a ladder to heaven	142	(3)
Jacob wrestled with a stranger	145	(3)
God changed Jacob's name to Israel	148	(2)
Esau is Edom	150	(1)
Jacob buried Rachel in Bethlehem	151	(1)
The prince of Shechem raped Dinah	152	(4)
Abraham named his son ``He Laughed''	156	(2)
Jacob's sons became the Twelve Tribes of Israel	158	(4)
Reuben was Jacob's oldest son	162	(2)
Jacob disqualified Simeon and Levi from leadership	164	(3)
Jacob awarded the sceptre to Judah	167	(2)
Benjamin was born in Canaan	169	(2)
Dan was an Israelite tribe	171	(2)
Jacob gave Joseph a coat of many colors	173	(2)
Joseph's brothers sold him into slavery	175	(5)
Potipher's wife tried to seduce Joseph	180	(13)
Part III - Myths of the Heroes
Myths of the Heroes: An Overview	187	(6)
Egypt enslaved Israel for four hundred years	193	(6)
Jochebed placed the infant Moses in an ark	199	(5)
Pharaoh's daughter gave Moses a Hebrew name	204	(1)
God sent ten plagues against Egypt	205	(3)
Pharaoh's army drowned in the Red Sea	208	(4)
Aaron fashioned a golden calf	212	(3)
Moses gave Israel the Ten Commandments	215	(11)
The Ark of the Covenant contained the Ten Commandments	226	(6)
Moses defeated King Sihon of Heshbon	232	(1)
God denied Moses entry into Canaan because he sinned against the Lord	233	(4)
Joshua parted the Jordan	237	(2)
Joshua tumbled the walls of Jericho	239	(2)
Rahab aided the Israelite spies	241	(2)
Joshua ruined Ai	243	(2)
The sun stood still upon Gibeon	245	(3)
Joshua captured Jerusalem	248	(2)
Joshua fought King Jabin of Hazor	250	(2)
Joshua conquered Canaan	252	(2)
Joshua led Israel after the death of Moses	254	(2)
Shamgar was the son of Anath	256	(2)
Deborah rallied Israel against the Canaanites	258	(5)
Samson judged Israel for twenty years	263	(6)
Samson pulled down a Philistine temple	269	(2)
Micah stole silver from his mother	271	(5)
David killed Goliath	276	(4)
King Saul committed suicide	280	(2)
The House of Judah fought the House of Saul at Gibeon	282	(3)
Solomon did not impose forced labor on Israel	285	(2)
Daniel predicted the future	287	(3)
Queen Esther saved the Jews of Persia	290	(5)
Conclusion	295	(6)
Suggested Reading	301	(4)
Table of Maps	305	(4)
Index	309	(12)
About the Author	321