Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Soul Invictus · 07-28-2007, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Weimer

Care to go in depth? What evidence is there that David is to be considered a mythical founder, especially in lieu of the Tel Dan inscription?

My understanding of the tel is that it mentions a House of David...the word "DWD" also means something else, and that there either is little or no information on an actual historical personage. I may be remembering wrong, but I don't remember anything specifically about the Tel Dan inscription that made me think of anything more than probably literary documentation. The "House of David" phrase commonly has a symbolic connotation.

Chris Weimer · 07-28-2007, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soul Invictus

My understanding of the tel is that it mentions a House of David...the word "DWD" also means something else, and that there either is little or no information on an actual historical personage. I may be remembering wrong, but I don't remember anything specifically about the Tel Dan inscription that made me think of anything more than probably literary documentation. The "House of David" phrase commonly has a symbolic connotation.

I think the different meanings of DWD is pure conjecture.

Dreadnought · 07-28-2007, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jobber

Quote:

Originally Posted by zonmoy

in including david are you also including all those that are claimed to be descended from him, in other words the entire jewish royal line.

No. For instance, I am not denying the existence of those who, during the 2nd century B.C.E. Maccabean period, claimed to be descendants of David. They existed but their supposed ancestor may not have.

Considering that a single royal family ruled from the time of David until the Babylonians ended the fun in the 6th century BCE, I find little reason to doubt that David is a real person. Kings are usually kept track of and there is little reason to invent one, unless to claim a godly ancestry. That there are a lot of embellishments in the story of him and Solomon however is a lot more probable.

Minimalist · 07-28-2007, 02:21 PM

Quote:

My understanding of the tel is that it mentions a House of David...the word "DWD" also means something else, and that there either is little or no information on an actual historical personage.

In the context of the quote (and bearing in mind that the inscription is in execrable condition) it is referring to two kings defeated and killed by the
Aramaeans. So when it talks of the House of Omri and then the House of David it seems to be a real stretch to suggest that they were talking about someone or something else. The common consensus of archaeologists is that Tel Dan is the only non-biblical reference to any David.

However, the story that the stele tells does not support the bible version of the event so the Fundies can't take too much solace from it.

Chris Weimer · 08-01-2007, 04:31 PM

Bump.

Toto · 08-01-2007, 06:35 PM

For what purpose is this being bumped?

Chris Weimer · 08-01-2007, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toto

For what purpose is this being bumped?

It never achieved the goal of the OP.

Toto · 08-01-2007, 07:05 PM

How do you know what the goal of the OP was? It was just an intriguing bit of current events. I doubt that anything deep could come out of it.

Chris Weimer · 08-01-2007, 07:15 PM

Compare and contrast with 1st c. Palestine.

Toto · 08-01-2007, 07:23 PM

So what is your point? Do you want to add something here?

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

08-01-2007, 04:31 PM	#25
Chris Weimer Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: none Posts: 9,879	Bump.

08-01-2007, 06:35 PM	#26
Toto Contributor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Los Angeles area Posts: 40,549	For what purpose is this being bumped?

08-01-2007, 07:05 PM	#28
Toto Contributor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Los Angeles area Posts: 40,549	How do you know what the goal of the OP was? It was just an intriguing bit of current events. I doubt that anything deep could come out of it.

08-01-2007, 07:15 PM	#29
Chris Weimer Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: none Posts: 9,879	Compare and contrast with 1st c. Palestine.

08-01-2007, 07:23 PM	#30
Toto Contributor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Los Angeles area Posts: 40,549	So what is your point? Do you want to add something here?

Freethought & Rationalism Archive

The archives are read only.