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Ancient Customs

Ancient Phylacteries

Phylacteries (tephillin). These are strips of leather to which is attached little square box made of parchment and painted black. The box contains four parts of the Torah written on parchment: Exodus 13:1 and 11:6; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; 11:13-21. According to Deut 6:4-9 two phylacteries were used, one for the head and one for the arm. These (called fr...

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Ancient Women Traveling

Illustration of Women Traveling in Ancient Times...

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Ancient Mezuzah in Doorway

The word "mezuzah" is Hebrew for doorpost. Moses commanded that the Word of God should be written on the doorposts of every house in order to keep His words constantly in their minds and in their hearts. At a later time the Jews took this literally, by placing Scriptures (Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and 11:13-21) on a small parchment scroll within a cylinder...

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Tax Collector

The Jewish people were under the yoke of foreign oppressors ever since the Babylonian captivity. During the New Testament times the land of Israel was within the province of Syria and the tax collectors were collectors of Roman taxes, they were extortioners, and very despised. The Jews detested these tax collectors not only on account of their abus...

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Aqueducts

Ancient Roman aqueducts were large bridges with pipes or channels set into them. These pipes carried water from rivers and lakes around the country, into Rome and other urban centers. One famous ancient Roman aqueduct that still remains today is the Pont du Gard in France....

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Ancient Oil Vases

Oil was stored in earthenware vessels (Heb. Asak). They were deep and narrow, with the narrowest part at the bottom. They had no handles and were usually inserted into a stone or wooden stand, or simply placed into holes in the ground. The top was capped with wood or some soft material....

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Jesus Reading Isaiah Scroll

Jesus was reading from a scroll of the prophet Isaiah, when He spoke the incredible words, "today this Scripture is fulfilled."...

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Ancient Fig Trees

Figs and fig trees are mentioned often in the ancient world, especially in Israel. The Mount of Olives was famous for its fig trees, even to this day. It was a common expression for peace and prosperity to "sit under one's own fig tree." Figs were pear shaped and the young figs were especially sweet and tasty. They were eaten raw or made into cakes...

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Ancient Olive Press

This sketch looks similar to a first century olive press discovered at the ruins of ancient Capernaum in Israel. In ancient times September was not only time to prepare for the New Year, but it was also time for harvesting olives. It lasted through November. Near the orchards there was usually an olive press, as sketched in the image above....

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Ancient Torah Scroll

Illustration of an Ancient Torah Scroll...

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