Nova Program "The Bible's Buried Secrets"

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Nova first aired “The Bible’s Buried Secrets” in November 2008, so I’m catching a re-broadcast.

The program asserts, among other things, that the Israelites were actually Canaanites with a smattering of escaped slaves from Egypt.

I’d be interested in hearing some of your opinions on this program.

Thanks.
 
The observation that you report appears to be at odds with another program that I watched, possibly on either the Discovery channel or ???. The gist of this program was to take the bible and look at the escape from Egypt and the subsequent taking of the land of Cannan by the Israelites from the eyes of a soldier.

The initial flight from Egypt was the the Israelites were led by a group that were called Habbaroo (or something like that) who would be akin to modern commandos or special forces who took what was needed for the flight. All of this was under the command of Moses. According to this representation the wandering in the desert was a refitting of the Israelites for the conquest of the subsequent land of Israel and making them hard for the coming battles. The battles of Aaron’s and later leaders was really a war of genocide. Replacing the inhabitants of Canana with the Israelites. It really sounded grim but they went through the book of Judges and compared what was written to the context of a military operation. The gist of which was that whoever was living there were killed off and replaced by the Israelites.

On the basis of that I really am wondering how Nova could make such an assertation. This program took a look at the complete book of Exodus, Judges, Ester, and others in a sequential format and made a compelling text of looking at these books of the bible as a military operation that took no prisioners. It really made it look like systematic genocide of the inhabitants.

It really made one stop and think about a strange new meaning to certain books of the bible. I was real uncomfortable about the ramifications. However based upon that I don’t think that the Israelites were actually Canaanites with a smattering of escaped slaves from Egypt.

Also, don’t forget that Joseph took the later Israelites to Egypt where they later became slaves to the Egyptians and that Moses then led them back to Canaan.

Nova’s presentation really sounds like a manufactured history. Almost as much as the program that I am referring to. Something like is what is going on today in our schools (revising history). In my opinion it would make for a good story but has little or no substance. It makes a good start of a conversation. What do you think?🤷

Please let me know what you think of this presentation.
 
I can’t say anything about the program you’re referring to. I haven’t seen it.

I’m stuck in bed with a bad back, so I ended up watching the full two hours.

By the time the program was over it was clear that the producers wanted to leave viewers with the following:
  1. The Israelites were really an outgrowth of Cannaanites.
  2. The idea that Israelites were monotheistic is a myth constructed after the Babylonian captivity.
  3. The exodus account is a myth.
  4. The subsequent 40 years in the desert is a myth.
  5. The military feats of the Israelites under Joshua are a myth.
  6. The five books of the Torah were not compiled until after the Babylonian captivity.
  7. Whatever notions of monotheism the Israelites had they picked up from the Midianites.
I admit that I am usually skeptical of programs like this, but it really does seem like an effort to deconstruct or, at the very least, call into question the Israelite narrative from beginning to end.
 
PS: It seems like somebody is trying to use findings in archaelogy to undermine the claims of Judaism and, therefore, Christianity.😦
 
I can’t say anything about the program you’re referring to. I haven’t seen it.

I’m stuck in bed with a bad back, so I ended up watching the full two hours.

By the time the program was over it was clear that the producers wanted to leave viewers with the following:
  1. The Israelites were really an outgrowth of Cannaanites.
Well the Bible says that all people are related. Cannaanites and Isrealites are related because they are decendants of Adam and Eve. Whether Adam and Eve are literal or mythical, the concept established in Genesis is that all peoples of the earth are related.
  1. The idea that Israelites were monotheistic is a myth constructed after the Babylonian captivity.
For all intents and purposes they were practical monothiests long before this. The concept of theoretical monotheism developed through the prophets long before the Babylonian exile. They certainly had the notion that Yahweh was above all other God, and alone to be worshiped.
  1. The exodus account is a myth.
It happened a long time ago, and there is no archeological evidence to support it. THis does not mean it was a myth. The story of Moses was known to the prophets, and gave great comfort to the Jews in exile.
  1. The subsequent 40 years in the desert is a myth.
They don’t know that.
  1. The military feats of the Israelites under Joshua are a myth.
They don’t know that.
  1. The five books of the Torah were not compiled until after the Babylonian captivity.
This is most likely true, but it is no cause for concern.
  1. Whatever notions of monotheism the Israelites had they picked up from the Midianites.
Ridiculous. Theoretical monotheism, and all that this implies about polytheism was developed and implicite in the writings of the prophets. Their understanding rests on the orale and written traditions of Moses and the Patriachs that were embeded in their worship and culture.
I admit that I am usually skeptical of programs like this, but it really does seem like an effort to deconstruct or, at the very least, call into question the Israelite narrative from beginning to end.
100 years ago the claim was made that the Gospels themselves were myths, and that Jesus never existed. Today, no historian seriously disputes the historicity of CHristianity. As the discipline of Archeology progresses, and new finds are made, we gain more and more certainty and insight into many aspects in the Bible. Also, by analysizing literary generes in existence at the time, we can also clearly identify works of fiction, as opposed to works that contain historical facts. This kind of distinction should cause us no concern, but give us further appreciation for the depths of truth contained in the Bible.

God bless,
Ut
 
Ugh. Monotheism was the foundation of all cultures and only later scrambled. Ptah is the monotheist God of Egypt; China has Shang-Ti, another “T” root. All cultures have marriage, right out of Genesis 2. There was a revolution against God’s people, and women’s studies-types call elements of it the “patriarchal revolution.” The satanic revolt, ongoing, did things like throw down landmarks depicting women as these were land titles from land inherited through the woman. Rachel sat on the idols to hide them from Laban because they were little figures, land titles, that were alienated from her and her sister, land being inherited through one’s mom. The Old Testament “genocide” is actually a return of land taken from the good guys.

And they were related people, no question. Abraham buys the twin caves of Machpelah to bury Sarah. Note the promise goes through her seed, not Hagar’s perpetually-warlike (Arab) seed. The lineage is through the woman of Genesis 3:15 promise. The people from whom Abraham buys the land tell him he can have the twin caves, noting he is a prince among their people. Abraham refuses the gift and buys the twin caves which are, in Jewish extrabiblical writing, given as the final resting place of Adam’s bones after they were translated by Shem/Shem’s school-family from the cave under Golgotha. This is the skull and crossbones on old crucifixes–Adam’s bones. So Abraham is genetically related, consonant with the theory that the Middle East tribes flowed in from earthquake-ravaged, Arian-looting-ravaged Northern India. They were trade/skill groups, like the Habiru of Egypt, a soldier class is possible. But Abraham and Sarah were kept apart from the Ur of the Chaldees types.

During this satanic revolution–still ongoing–Satan and his minions attack the Woman & Seed, because God authorized and empowered the Woman & Seed to crush Lucifer’s head. So husbands were killed, women were turned into temple prostitutes just like the daughter of Sargon the Great, EN-Heduanna. EN queen or woman of grace, Sargon’s daughter, was sought after and became an ongoing victim of attempted rape to claim the throne, this by Lugalan the evil high priest from…Ur of the Chaldees. What a cowinkydink. Sarah was also an EN and that’s why she was sought by kings for marriage. And that’s why Solomon married up all the stray females in the Middle East because the lineage is through the Woman, here used as the Genesis 3:15 title.

These satanic revolters adopted a kind of lodge system, their patriarchal revolution being as if the stray males driven off from the herd ganged up on the head guy and took his woman and all her stuff. So the longhouse became gang headquarters in as far away as Polynesia and other quarters, today like the mod Freemasons. So you kill the husband, make mom a temple prostitute and kill her kids. Still doing that today. The “shack out back” is where the temple prostitute of the Freemasons is going to mate with strangers to create genetic Christians of genetic jesus’ and mary mag’s lineage. That’s the punchline to DAVINCI CODE. Same lies and murder. And those the leaders of the Habiru did not kill as commanded came back under Esther, and led by Haman, tried to exterminate the Jews. Gotta do what God says. So in short the bad guys stole the land and God will restore it, everything from Egypt to Israel.
 
Ugh. Monotheism was the foundation of all cultures and only later scrambled. Ptah is the monotheist God of Egypt; China has Shang-Ti, another “T” root. All cultures have marriage, right out of Genesis 2. There was a revolution against God’s people, and women’s studies-types call elements of it the “patriarchal revolution.” The satanic revolt, ongoing, did things like throw down landmarks depicting women as these were land titles from land inherited through the woman. Rachel sat on the idols to hide them from Laban because they were little figures, land titles, that were alienated from her and her sister, land being inherited through one’s mom. The Old Testament “genocide” is actually a return of land taken from the good guys.

And they were related people, no question. Abraham buys the twin caves of Machpelah to bury Sarah. Note the promise goes through her seed, not Hagar’s perpetually-warlike (Arab) seed. The lineage is through the woman of Genesis 3:15 promise. The people from whom Abraham buys the land tell him he can have the twin caves, noting he is a prince among their people. Abraham refuses the gift and buys the twin caves which are, in Jewish extrabiblical writing, given as the final resting place of Adam’s bones after they were translated by Shem/Shem’s school-family from the cave under Golgotha. This is the skull and crossbones on old crucifixes–Adam’s bones. So Abraham is genetically related, consonant with the theory that the Middle East tribes flowed in from earthquake-ravaged, Arian-looting-ravaged Northern India. They were trade/skill groups, like the Habiru of Egypt, a soldier class is possible. But Abraham and Sarah were kept apart from the Ur of the Chaldees types.

During this satanic revolution–still ongoing–Satan and his minions attack the Woman & Seed, because God authorized and empowered the Woman & Seed to crush Lucifer’s head. So husbands were killed, women were turned into temple prostitutes just like the daughter of Sargon the Great, EN-Heduanna. EN queen or woman of grace, Sargon’s daughter, was sought after and became an ongoing victim of attempted rape to claim the throne, this by Lugalan the evil high priest from…Ur of the Chaldees. What a cowinkydink. Sarah was also an EN and that’s why she was sought by kings for marriage. And that’s why Solomon married up all the stray females in the Middle East because the lineage is through the Woman, here used as the Genesis 3:15 title.

These satanic revolters adopted a kind of lodge system, their patriarchal revolution being as if the stray males driven off from the herd ganged up on the head guy and took his woman and all her stuff. So the longhouse became gang headquarters in as far away as Polynesia and other quarters, today like the mod Freemasons. So you kill the husband, make mom a temple prostitute and kill her kids. Still doing that today. The “shack out back” is where the temple prostitute of the Freemasons is going to mate with strangers to create genetic Christians of genetic jesus’ and mary mag’s lineage. That’s the punchline to DAVINCI CODE. Same lies and murder. And those the leaders of the Habiru did not kill as commanded came back under Esther, and led by Haman, tried to exterminate the Jews. Gotta do what God says. So in short the bad guys stole the land and God will restore it, everything from Egypt to Israel.
The thead of restoration is an ongoing happening with modern forces continuing to bring forth their ideology of good versus evil. This is an ongoing event in the middle east. Ancient misdeeds seem to fester and continue to bring us old scores that need to be settled. This land has been fought over for so many thousands of years the lines are really blurred. Genocide has begotten genocide, and is still threatening to do more. Warfare in this part of the world is truly a way of life that is going to continue to fester.I don’t think that if Solomon came back today that he would be unable to untie this Gordian knot of emotions and cynicism. All in the name of religion.
 
PS: It seems like somebody is trying to use findings in archaelogy to undermine the claims of Judaism and, therefore, Christianity.😦
Hey John;

I hope your back is healing and that you will soon be back on your feet. Your observation is astute. What we are left wilth the responsibility to do our own due dilligence and rely upon our education. That is all we have and we have to trust ourselves. Sometimes what appears to be benign isn’t. However, it doesn’t mean that there is no entertainment value in a program and it certainly will help pass the time and ease our boredom.

My best to you and hopes for a full an speedy recovery

Regards…
 
I’m not well enough to wade through something this deep, but the Nova episode is available for watching online:
pbs.org/wgbh/nova/bible/

The website appears to have a wealth of supplementary information.
 
I can’t say anything about the program you’re referring to. I haven’t seen it.

I’m stuck in bed with a bad back, so I ended up watching the full two hours.

By the time the program was over it was clear that the producers wanted to leave viewers with the following:
  1. The Israelites were really an outgrowth of Cannaanites.
  2. The idea that Israelites were monotheistic is a myth constructed after the Babylonian captivity.
  3. The exodus account is a myth.
  4. The subsequent 40 years in the desert is a myth.
  5. The military feats of the Israelites under Joshua are a myth.
  6. The five books of the Torah were not compiled until after the Babylonian captivity.
  7. Whatever notions of monotheism the Israelites had they picked up from the Midianites.
I admit that I am usually skeptical of programs like this, but it really does seem like an effort to deconstruct or, at the very least, call into question the Israelite narrative from beginning to end.
I’m not usually one to raise the flag of political correctness, but is this slightly anti-Semitic on Nova’s behalf? The Exodus account is a major, major event in the Jewish histories.

-Prophesy
 
Nova first aired “The Bible’s Buried Secrets” in November 2008, so I’m catching a re-broadcast.

The program asserts, among other things, that the Israelites were actually Canaanites with a smattering of escaped slaves from Egypt.

I’d be interested in hearing some of your opinions on this program.

Thanks.
I liked it. Let me caution those who do not like modern biblical scholarship (esp. J,E,P,D, - multiple author theory) you will probably not like this broadcast. If you do like this theory or want to know more about it, this broadcast makes it much easier to understand. The show uses archeology and biblical texts in its search for the answers as to how the Bible (Old Testament) came together. In most cases, the archeology presented in the program backs up the Bible (esp. King David’s reign and later) against the nay sayers who claim the King David was a myth created by later Jews to justify a modern Jewish state.
 
I think I saw this one - it was pretty interesting. Was this the one where they talk about not much archaelogical evidence for a big kingdom in the time of David, but were able to trace some major structures to the time of Solomon, with corroboration between the Bible and Egyptian records… also talked a lot about the revision and redaction of the scriptures during the Babylonian exile, except right at the end they describe the discovery of a small scroll in an excavation from Jerusalem dated to a couple of hundred years before the exile, containing a verse from the Torah as we know it today.

Compared to the stuff they show on the History Channel, I found it very well done, not too sensationalistic. As a non-archaeologist or Biblical scholar myself, I can’t comment on how complete their coverage was, or how mainstream (or outside of mainstream) with respect to the “establishment” of Biblical archaeology their story was.
 
I think I saw this one - it was pretty interesting. Was this the one where they talk about not much archaelogical evidence for a big kingdom in the time of David, but were able to trace some major structures to the time of Solomon, with corroboration between the Bible and Egyptian records… also talked a lot about the revision and redaction of the scriptures during the Babylonian exile, except right at the end they describe the discovery of a small scroll in an excavation from Jerusalem dated to a couple of hundred years before the exile, containing a verse from the Torah as we know it today.

Compared to the stuff they show on the History Channel, I found it very well done, not too sensationalistic. As a non-archaeologist or Biblical scholar myself, I can’t comment on how complete their coverage was, or how mainstream (or outside of mainstream) with respect to the “establishment” of Biblical archaeology their story was.
Yes this is the same show that you saw.
 
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