Mesopotamia and the Patriarchal Period

Ancient Mesopotamia

World’s oldest civilization (ca B.C.) called “Sumarian” (= region, culture, religion, language) Developed the oldest form of writing: “cuneiform”

Cuneiform

Ancient Mesopotamia World’s oldest civilization (ca B.C.) called “Sumarian” (= region, culture, religion, language) Developed the oldest form of writing: “cuneiform” First to build “city-states”

City-States

Ancient Mesopotamia World’s oldest civilization (ca B.C.) called “Sumarian” (= region, culture, religion, language) Developed the oldest form of writing: “cuneiform” First to build “city-states” Ur = highly developed city-state (ca B.C.) Ur was the largest city in the world from 2030 to 1980 BC. Population = 65,000

Ur

Ancient Mesopotamia World’s oldest civilization (ca B.C.) called “Sumarian” (= region, culture, religion, language) Developed the oldest form of writing: “cuneiform” First to build “city-states” Ur = highly developed city-state (ca B.C.) Ur was the largest city in the world from 2030 to 1980 BC. Population = 65,000 Ziggurat – religious temple at center of city

Ziggurat

Ancient Mesopotamia World’s oldest civilization (ca B.C.) called “Sumarian” (= region, culture, religion, language) Developed the oldest form of writing: “cuneiform” First to build “city-states” Ur = highly developed city-state (ca B.C.) At this time, the largest city in the world. Population = 65,000 Ziggurat – religious temple at center of city 2004 – Ur is burned to the ground

Abraham

Born: 2166 Abraham lived at the height of Ur’s prosperity. “He did not live in some scrubby boondocks where nothing had yet happened…Pre-Abrahamic Mesopotamia contained all the necessary components of civilized life…Our modern age has advanced over ancient Mesopotamia, but only in the spheres of technical knowledge and gadgetry” (Hoerth, 54).

Abraham “Thousands of economic, legal, and judicial texts witness to the complex and pervasive roles of the palace and the temple in the everyday life of the people. The rich archaeological finds from Ur indicate that it was a thriving commercial center during this entire period. It was from such a culturally advanced city that Abram began his earthly pilgrimage of faith (Gen 11:31; Acts 7:4)” (ZAOB, 90)

Abraham Translated: Abram was a rich pagan from New York when God interrupted his life. “Long ago, your fathers lived beyond the Euphrates, Terah, the father of Abraham and of Nahor; and they served other gods” (Josh 24:2) Translated: Abraham worshipped the moon god Nanna at the Ziggurat in Ur, had sex with temple prostitutes, and set food before shrines as food for the gods, when God called him to faith.

Abraham