Tour Destination – Bible Lands Museum, Jerusalem

Tour Destination – Bible Lands Museum, JerusalemThe Prophet Elijahs mockery of the Canaanite god
Norman A. RubinBaal, the promise of a ‘New Jerusalem’ by the
Many of my articles written for Associated ContentProphet Isaiah, Jeremiah’s warning of the
had used informative material from Bible Landspunishment for false religions, and Ezekiel’s
Museum current and past exhibitions and from theirprophesies against the nations. All are brought vividly to
extensive archives. The curators of the museum weremind by exhibits reflecting traditions, rituals and religions
quite forthcoming and I appreciated their kindof the cultures of the period.
assistance and guidance. Now I would like my readersAll the peoples mentions in the Bible are represented
to learn about the museum and their aim andthere: Philistines, Canaanites and Arameans, Hittites and
objectives.Elamites, Phoenicians and Persians, Romans and
When he bought an ancient cylinder seal way back inGreeks. Each of the twenty galleries of the museum
1943, Near Eastern scholar Dr. Elie Borowskibrings together finds from different regions, explaining
(1913-2003) never suspected he was sealing his future.interactions between ancient nations of the Near East
For that seal was destined to be the first in athrough their seals, ivories, mosaics, sarcophagi and
remarkable collection, which has swollen over thestelae.
years to over 1,400 examples.One gallery, for instance, is devoted to the migration of
What started as an academic’s hobby becameeastern Mediterranean populations in the twelfth
the passion of a life time – ultimate leading tocentury BC. So while the Israelites are depicted
Jerusalem, where Borowski’s collection plus moreconquering Canaan, the movements of the Philistines,
than 300 other relics form civilizations of the biblical era,Sardians, Sicilians and others (the Peoples of the Sea)
have gone on show in a new museum built to hisare traced to the probable roots in the regions of the
exact specification. The Bible Lands Museum isBlack Sea and ancient Greece.
located, aptly enough, between Jerusalem’s pastAlthough is dedicated to ancient times – from the
and present; between the shrine of the Book, wherehunting and gathering society of the prehistoric Neolithic
the Dead Sea Scrolls are kept, and the Knesset, Israeliperiod of 6,000 BC, to Rome’s empire-building
parliament.during the early Christian era and of the Byzantine
“The future of mankind has its roots in the past,”Empire, the museum makes full use of modern, state
said Eli Borowski, explaining both his fascination forof the art technology. In the gallery devoted to
these ancient artifacts, and his collection’sSymbolic Communications, an interactive computerized
significance to the general viewer. The seals form theexhibit shows the many different uses of seals,
nucleus of the museum, while the rest of the collectionillustrating 3000 years of glyptic art.
includes a wealth of objects either donated orIn fact, you could not find a more user-friendly ways of
released on permanent loan.getting in touch with the past; “And see the Land
A treasure trove of history, the museum is a goodwhat it is and the people that dwelleth therein
starting point for any visitor arriving in Israel to explore(Numbers 13:18). As a visitor to the museum you will
sites mentioned in the Scriptures. Bible in hand, one cancome away enriched with greater knowledge of
join the Exodus while examining artifacts from Ancientbiblical events and the understanding of the Bible’s
Egypt; “these are the names of the Israelites whoinfluence on Western civilization and world events
entered Egypt... “ (Exodus 1:1) Moving on to anotherFor further information contact:
gallery, one imagines the thunder of battle and clash ofBible Lands Museum
arms while looking at the implements of war: “AMuseum Row, 25 Granot Street,
sword for the Lord and for Gideon..” (Judges 7:20).P.