-
ArchaelogyAid to Bible Understanding
-
-
Illustrating this need for caution and also manifesting again that an objective approach to the problems existing in the deciphering of the ancient inscriptions is often not as prominent as one might think, the book The Secret of the Hittites by C. W. Ceram contains the following information concerning a prominent Assyriologist who worked at decoding the “Hittite” language (pp. 106-109): “His work is absolutely phenomenal—a brilliant intermingling of wild blunders with remarkable perceptions, . . . Some of his errors were supported by arguments so cogent that decades of study were necessary to overcome them. His ingenious reasoning was backed by such a wealth of philological learning that winnowing the chaff from the wheat was no easy affair.” The writer then describes the strong obstinacy of this scholar about any modification of his findings; after many years he finally did agree to make some changes—only to change the very readings that later proved to be the correct ones! In relating the violent dispute, fraught with personal recriminations, that arose between this scholar and another decipherer of the “Hittite” cuneiform, the author states: “Yet the very fanaticism which brings on such quarrels is a necessary motive force if scholars are to make discoveries.” Hence, although time and study have eliminated many errors in the understanding of ancient inscriptions, we do well to realize that further investigation may likely bring additional corrections.
The preeminence of the Bible as the source of reliable knowledge, truthful information and sure guidance is enhanced by these facts. As a body of written documents it gives us the clearest picture of man’s past and it has reached us, not by excavation, but through its preservation by its Author, Jehovah God. It is “alive and exerts power” (Heb. 4:12) and is the “word of the living and enduring God.” “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory is like a blossom of grass; the grass becomes withered, and the flower falls off, but the saying of Jehovah endures forever.”—1 Pet. 1:23-25.
-
-
ArchangelAid to Bible Understanding
-
-
ARCHANGEL
(archʹan·gel).
The prefix arch, meaning “chief” or “principal,” would seem to imply that there is only one archangel, the chief or head of the angelic host; in the Scriptures, “archangel” is never found in the plural. First Thessalonians 4:16, in speaking of the preeminence of the archangel and the authority of his office, does so in reference to the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ: “The Lord himself will descend from heaven with a commanding call, with an archangel’s voice and with God’s trumpet, and those who are dead in union with Christ will rise first.” It is, therefore, not without significance that the only name directly associated with the word archangel is Michael.—Jude 9; see MICHAEL.
-
-
ArchelausAid to Bible Understanding
-
-
ARCHELAUS
(Ar·che·laʹus) [ruler of the people].
Ruler of Judea; son of Herod the Great by his fourth wife, Malthace. Archelaus became king while young Jesus was down in Egypt with Joseph and Mary. Rather than face his tyrannical rule in Judea on their return, Joseph settled his family outside Archelaus’ jurisdiction, up in Nazareth of Galilee.—Matt. 2:22, 23.
Archelaus’ father Herod the Great willed to him the rulership of Judea, Samaria and Idumaea, a share of the kingdom twice that given to each of the other two sons, and which included the important cities of Jerusalem, Samaria, Joppa and Caesarea. After Herod’s death, Archelaus endeavored to make his rulership more secure by appearing before Augustus in Rome; in spite of opposers to his claim, including his brother and a delegation of Jews, Archelaus was allowed to retain his power, though Augustus made him, not a king, but an “ethnarch,” a tributary prince ranking higher than a tetrarch. Matthew, however, is not wrong in referring to him as a “king,” for the local army, including Herod’s mercenaries, had previously proclaimed him such.
Archelaus was a cruel ruler and very unpopular with the Jews. In quelling a riot, he once had 3,000 of them ruthlessly slain in the temple grounds; he twice deposed the high priest; his divorce and remarriage were also contrary to Jewish law. Complaints from the Jews and Samaritans to Augustus finally resulted in an investigation and Archelaus’ banishment in the ninth or tenth year of his reign. Judea thereafter was under Roman governors.—See HEROD.
-
-
ArcherAid to Bible Understanding
-
-
ARCHER
The use of the bow and arrow after the Flood enabled man to kill animals that were too fast and dangerous to be taken otherwise, for food, clothing and shelter. With the rise of Nimrod, archers likely were pressed into his service
In the twentieth century B.C.E., Abraham’s firstborn son Ishmael “became an archer” to sustain himself in the wilderness. (Gen. 21:20) Similarly, Esau, the grandson of Abraham, could handle the bow with skill. (Gen. 27:3) Monuments testify that from the earliest times Egypt’s principal offensive warriors were archers, and there are also Babylonian sculptures of archers. In the days of Joshua (Josh. 24:12) and David (1 Chron. 12:1, 2), and thereafter, archers were an important part of Israel’s army. (2 Chron. 14:8; 26:14) Archers of the Philistines, Syrians and Egyptians shot Kings Saul, Ahab and Josiah respectively.—1 Sam. 31:1-3; 1 Ki. 22:34, 35; 2 Chron. 35:20, 23.
Reliefs in Nineveh illustrate Assyrian archers in chariots carrying two bows, one long, one short. When shooting one arrow they held extras in the hand, thus increasing the rapidity of their fire. The Assyrian plan of attack seemed to be to overwhelm the enemy under a flood of arrows, and then use the sword and spear in pursuit.
The Persians have been called the most expert archers in the world. Reliefs from Persepolis and Susa show Median and Persian soldiers equipped with bows and quivers. From the age of five until twenty Persian boys were taught archery and riding; their cavalry were experts even when shooting backward. Mobility and freedom of movement of the archers was the basic plan of Persian strategy in storming the foe under a hail of arrows.
-