FEATURE
Everyday Life in Ancient Israel
WHAT was everyday life like back in Bible times? What sort of homes did ordinary people have? What kinds of work did they do? What were their customs? Your having some knowledge of these things can aid you in visualizing Bible accounts. At times, that background information is also the key to understanding the meaning of scriptures.
Most houses, like this one in Jerusalem, had flat roofs on which people might visit, walk in the cool evening, or even sleep (Lu 17:31)
Ancient lamps, made of earthenware, in which oil was burned (Mt 25:1-4)
A household oven of the sort that was common among the Israelites (Le 26:26)
Vessels were of many sizes and shapes, usually earthenware, sometimes made of stone (1Ki 17:12)
In Bible times, grain was reaped by hand (above), threshed with the hooves of animals or a threshing sledge to separate the grain from the chaff, and winnowed, which involved tossing the grain so that the wind would carry away the chaff
In Bible times, grain was reaped by hand, threshed with the hooves of animals or a threshing sledge to separate the grain from the chaff (above), and winnowed, which involved tossing the grain so that the wind would carry away the chaff
In Bible times, grain was reaped by hand, threshed with the hooves of animals or a threshing sledge to separate the grain from the chaff, and winnowed (above), which involved tossing the grain so that the wind would carry away the chaff
A millstone that was likely used to crush olives so that the oil could be extracted (Nu 18:27)
Hand mill, used to grind grain into flour (Mt 24:41)
Sheepherding was a common occupation in Bible times (Lu 15:4)
Donkeys, or asses, were frequently used as beasts of burden (1Ch 12:40)
Wells were, and still are, a common source of water in this land (Ge 29:10)
Woman carrying a basket in a manner sometimes seen in the Middle East