Body: | "Synagogue Occupation date" [SOD] computation system
"SOD"
Oldest Second Temple Synagogues in the world before 70 AD
By Steven Rudd 2017 AD
"Archeology is an incomplete and flawed science when its conclusions are
isolated from literary sources." (Steven Rudd, 2017)
"Every time you stick a shovel in the ground in Israel, you dig up a
Bible story" (Steven Rudd, 2017)
"Archeology without a Bible foundation is just a pile of worthless
sand." (Steven Rudd, 2017)
"What you read in THE BOOK you find in the ground." (Steven Rudd, 2017)
Occupation date = Excavation date + Inscriptional date + Literary date
A. Current occupation dating systems are incomplete, short-sighted and
unprofessional:
1. It is both short-sighted and unprofessional to date the
occupation of an historic synagogue based solely upon the conclusions of an
archeological report because "absence of archeological evidence is not
evidence of absence".
2. Archeologists know first hand the limitations of
professional three dimensional excavations.
3. Archeologists routinely ignore inscriptional and
literary evidence of actual synagogue occupation.
4. For example, no one questions that Solomon built a
temple in Jerusalem in 966 BC, even though there is zero direct
archeological evidence for it. Like wise with the exodus route.
B. Here are six examples to illustrate the new occupational dating system
which should be adopted in all universities:
1. Capernaum in Judea: 30 AD: The "excavation date" of
Capernaum is anywhere from 50 - 500 AD, depending upon the opinion of the
archeologist. There is no "inscriptional date" because no synagogue
inscriptions have been found. The "literary date" is 30 AD, since the
New Testament has Jesus teaching in the Capernaum synagogue. However it is
almost certain that such a major synagogue dates back to the early
Hasmonean period (150 BC). We stick strictly with the three tangible
evidences (excavation + inscriptions + literature) and set the occupation
date to 30 AD. This gives us an occupation date of 30 AD for Capernaum.
2. Modein in Judea: 132 BC: The "excavation date" of
Modein is 220-110 BC, depending upon when the building was first used as a
synagogue. There is no "inscriptional date" because no synagogue
inscriptions have been found. But we have an "literary date" of 132 BC
from 1 Maccabees 2:1 and Josephus Antiquities 13.210-212 which state that
Modein was the home town of the Maccabean dynasty and the family burial
town that consisted of seven pyramid monuments (none have been found
archeologically). Based upon inference, it is unthinkable that the founders
of the zealot and rebel movement would not have built a synagogue in their
own home town. This gives us an occupation date of 132 BC for Modein.
3. Sardis in Asia: 49 BC: The "excavation date" of
Sardis is no earlier than 17 AD because that is when the structure was
(re)built and excavators set on occupation range between 250 AD to as late
of 500 AD. There is no "inscriptional date" because no synagogue
inscriptions have been found. The "literary date" is before 49 BC
because Josephus, Antiquities 14.259-261 specifically describes the Sardis
synagogue in the second decree of 48 BC. However it may have been founded
as early as 220 BC. This gives us an occupation date no later than 49 BC
for Sardis.
4. Schedia in Egypt: 240 BC: There is no "excavation
date" or "literary date" of Schedia because no synagogue ruins have
been excavated and no literary sources mention it. However a synagogue
dedication inscription was found in Schedia that dates to 240 BC. This
gives us an occupational date of 240 BC for Schedia.
5. Athribis in Egypt: 194 BC: There is no "excavation
date" or "literary date" of Athribis because no synagogue ruins have
been excavated and no literary sources mention it. However two synagogue
dedication inscriptions were found in Schedia that date to 240 BC. One of
these inscriptions says "the Jews of Athribis dedicated this synagogue
(proseuche = house of prayer) to the Most High God". This gives us an
occupational date of 194 BC for Athribis.
6. Antioch in Pisidia: 45 AD: There is no "excavation
date" or "inscriptional date" because no synagogues have ever been
found in these cities. The New Testament records that on Paul's first
missionary Journey in 45 AD, "Paul arrived at Pisidian Antioch, and on
the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down. After the
reading of the Law and the Prophets the synagogue officials sent to them,
saying, "Brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people,
say it." (Acts 13:14-17). On the basis of this "literary source"
alone (Bible), the "occupation date" is no later than 45 AD. God said
it. I believe it. That settles it. There was a synagogue at Antioch based
upon the "inspired" [lit. God Breathed] Bible alone. We would not have
this same level of confidence with Josephus because it is merely the work
of a flawed man. There are no historical errors in the Bible. This gives us
an occupational date of 45 AD for Pisidian Antioch.
By Steve Rudd 2017: Contact the author for comments, input or corrections
Quick links
Ancient Synagogues
Go to: Main Start Page
By Steve Rudd 2017: Contact the author for comments, input or corrections
Quick links:
Master introduction: Summary overview is the place to start to tie it all together.
Providence: God's eternal plan: The providential transition from Temple to Synagogue to Church
Origin: Synagogues originated at Alexandria Egypt in 280 BC spawned by the Septuagint
Jesus the Messiah of the Tanakh:
1. First Century Jewish Messianic Expectation: As witnessed in the Dead Sea scrolls.
2. Looking for the wrong thing: Mistaken Jewish ideas of the Messiah in 30 AD.
3. Jesus fulfilled Prophecy: Master list of fulfilled messianic prophecies
4. Jesus fulfilled Prophecy: "He shall be called a Nazarene (branch)" Matthew 2:23
5. Jesus fulfilled Prophecy: "Jesus would rise the third day" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
Synagogue Architectural Prototypes in the Church:
1. Standard architectural synagogue typology: Introduction, Master Chart
2. Mikveh for Ritual Purity: The Christian Maker
3. Ritual purity stone Vessels: Stoneware cups and wash basins
4. Freestanding Columns: Antitype of Christians
5. Artwork: Heart-Shaped Columns
6. The bema: Prototype of the Church Pulpit
7. Synagogue Benches: Metaphor of Equality in Christ
8. Women Seating in Synagogues: Not segregated from men
9. The Moses' Seat: Metaphor of Pride
10. Niches & Ark of The Scrolls: Prototype of Church Apse
11. Table of the Scrolls: Prototype of Communion Table
12. Byzantine Church Architecture: Octagonal and Basilica
13. Orientation: Early Synagogues did not Point to Jerusalem
14. The Church replaced the Temple: Replacement theology is pure Christianity
Synagogue Worship Prototypes in the Church:
15. Worship prototypes: Introduction and Master Summary Chart
16. Collective Names of Synagogues: House of Prayer, Temple, Church
17. Organization of Synagogues: Elders, officials, attendants, Independent, autonomous
18. Attendance: Weekly Sabbath Assemblies in Synagogues absent from Tanakh
19. Public Bible readings: Preaching and Teaching In Synagogues
20. Greek Septuagint: The Standard Tanakh of every ancient synagogue
21. Greek Septuagint scroll of the Twelve Minor Prophets written in 50 BC
22. Prayer in Synagogues: "House of prayer" Proseuche
23. Food: Sacred Passover Meals, No Common Meals In Synagogues
24. Sermon Topics in Synagogues: How Christians used the Tanakh to convert Jews
25. Singing in Synagogues: Non-Instrumental Acapella Responsive Singing
26. Benevolence Money: Freewill Weekly First fruits Collections for poor in Synagogues
27. Education: Schools and Literacy of Jews In Synagogues
28. Role of Women in Synagogues: Never leaders, preachers but never segregated
29. Sanctuary Status: Refugees seeking Asylum in Synagogues
30. Appendages: Hostels, Housing and Food Banks in Synagogues
31. Civil Court: Judgements, beatings and scourging in Synagogues
32. Civic Meetings: Political Town Hall assemblies in Synagogues
33. Christians replaced Jews: Replacement theology is pure Christianity
Synagogue Occupation Date (SOD)= Excavation date + Inscriptional date + Literary date
Allusions: Synagogue worship allusions and imagery in the New Testament
Master builder Stonemason Jesus: "Upon this Rock I will build My church"
Everyday life: Archeology of Everyday Life and Homes at the time of Jesus
Master List: Master list of First Temple Period, Pre-70 AD Synagogues
Attend a church you can read about in the Bible: Click here to find a church near you.
By Steve Rudd 2017: Contact the author for comments, input or corrections
Go to:
Master Synagogue List
Go to:
Jewish Messianic Expectations in DSS
Go to:
Map of Synagogue Sites
Excavations
Inscriptions
Literature
Go to:
Synagogue Excavations
Go to:
Synagogue Inscriptions
Go to:
Synagogue Literary Sources
Jesus Master Builder of the Church/Temple
Archeology of First Century Houses
By Steve Rudd 2017: Contact the author for comments, input or corrections
Jesus your messiah is waiting for you to come home!
Why not worship with a first century New Testament church near you, that has the same look and feel as the Jewish Synagogue in your own home town. As a Jew, you will find the transition as easy today as it was for the tens of thousands of your forefathers living in Jerusalem 2000 years ago when they believed in Jesus the Nazarene (the branch) as their messiah. It's time to come home!
Click here to find a church near you.
By Steve Rudd: Contact the author for comments, input or corrections.
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