I need historical errors from the Bible that will show it's historicity is not 100%. Thanks for any help or links you can give

Check out the magazines Biblical Errancy and The Skeptical Review that deal frequently with topics of this nature. Bib Errancy is more oriented to the many internal contradictions, but does deal with the problems of Bible history. Skep Rev deals with both, and is currently discussing the absurd history of the Book of Daniel. Robin Lane Fox's The Unauthorized Version also looks at historical issues.

Michael

[This message has been edited by turtonm (edited March 18, 2001).]

And, II's book of the month, The Bible Unearthed is all about current archeological consensus on the historicity of the Old Testament. I am only half way through the book, but so far, it is mind opening! As far as I've gotten, The Patriarchs, the Exodus, the re-conquering of the land of Canaan, and the exploits of David and Solomon was all written 8th and 7th century B.C.E., under the reign of Josiah, and all meant to further himself politically.

But, that is a summary from someone who hasn't finished yet... read for yourself for the whole story!

Following are a few examples of biblical "history" which is at variance with archaeological findings:

The biblical account of Joshua's alleged destruction of Ai (JS 8:25-29) says that Ai was attacked, burned, and that its inhabitants were utterly destroyed, making Ai a heap forever. Acheaology reveals, however, that the city was destroyed and burned around 2400 BC--1000 years or so before Joshua [See Biblical Archaeology Review, November/December 1980, p. 13, and Archaeology of the Bible, Magnusson, pp. 89-90].

The biblical account of the Israelite occupation of Arad & Hormah ruled the northern Negev, but the archaeological evidence is otherwise. [BAR, Sept. 1976, p. 28]

At the time when the Bible suggests that Heshbon was the stronghold and capital of King Sihon (NU 2:26), it was totally deserted [Archaeology of the Bible, p. 76]. (Note: It became a city much later.)

According to Katleen Kenyon's archaeological work in Jericho, there was no settlement at Jericho at the time most scholars date the biblical rendition (JS 6) of the alleged conquest of Jericho [BAR, Nov/Dec 1980, p. 13].

The biblical story about Samson pulling down the Philistine Temple is wrong on at least one detail: the Temple was not large enought to hold 3000 people, and the public was not allowed inside to begin with. [Archaeology of the Bible, p. 113]

-----------

The following are some examples based on internal inconsistencies such that at least one of the allegedly historical accounts must be inaccurate:

GE 6:4 There were Nephilim (giants) before the Flood.
GE 7:21 All creatures other than Noah and his clan were annihilated by the Flood.
NU 13:33 There were Nephilim after the Flood.

GE 11:12 Arpachshad [Arphaxad] was the father of Shelah.
LK 3:35-36 Cainan was the father of Shelah. Arpachshad was the
grandfather of Shelah.

GE 11:26 Terah was 70 years old when his son Abram was born.
GE 11:32 Terah was 205 years old when he died (making Abram 135 at the time).
GE 12:4, AC 7:4 Abram was 75 when he left Haran. This was after Terah died. Thus, Terah could have been no more than 145 when he died; or Abram was only 75 years old after he had lived 135 years.

GE 50:13 Jacob was buried in a cave at Machpelah bought from Ephron the Hittite.
AC 7:15-16 He was buried in the sepulchre at Shechem, bought from
the sons of Hamor.

EX 3:1 Jethro was the father-in-law of Moses.
NU 10:29, JG 4:11 (KJV) Hobab was the father-in-law of Moses.

NU 33:38 Aaron died on Mt. Hor.
DT 10:6 Aaron died in Mosera.

NU 33:41-42 After Aaron's death, the Israelites journeyed from Mt. Hor, to Zalmonah, to Punon, etc.
DT 10:6-7 It was from Mosera, to Gudgodah, to Jotbath.

JG 4:21 Sisera was sleeping when Jael killed him.
JG 5:25-27 Sisera was standing.

1SA 15:7-8, 20 The Amalekites are utterly destroyed.
1SA 27:8-9 They are utterly destroyed (again?).
1SA 30:1, 17-18 They raid Ziklag and David smites them (again?).

1SA 31:4-6 Saul killed himself by falling on his sword.
2SA 1:2-10 Saul, at his own request, was slain by an Amalekite.
2SA 21:12 Saul was killed by the Philistines on Gilboa.

2SA 24:9 The census count was: Israel 800,000 and Judah 500,000.
1CH 21:5 The census count was: Israel 1,100,000 and Judah 470,000.

1KI 16:6-8 Baasha died in the 26th year of King Asa's reign.
2CH 16:1 Baasha built a city in the 36th year of King Asa's
reign.

2KI 9:27 Jehu shot Ahaziah near Ibleam. Ahaziah fled to Meggido and died there.
2CH 22:9 Ahaziah was found hiding in Samaria, brought to Jehu, and put to death.

MT 23:35 Jesus says that Zacharias (Zechariah) was the son of
Barachias (Barachiah).
2CH 24:20 Zacharias was actually the son of Jehoida, the priest.
(Note: The name Barachias, or Barachiah, does not appear in the
O.T.)

MT 28:1 The first visitors to the tomb were Mary Magdalene and the other Mary (two).
MK 16:1 Both of the above plus Salome (three).
LK 23:55 - 24:1, 24:10 Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and "other women" (at least five).
JN 20:1 Mary Magdalene only (one).

MT 28:1 It was toward dawn when they arrived.
MK 16:2 It was after sunrise.
LK 24:1 It was at early dawn.
JN 20:1 It was still dark.

MT 28:1-2 The stone was still in place when they arrived. It was
rolled away later.
MK 16:4, LK 24:2, JN 20:1 The stone had already been rolled (or
taken) away.

MT 28:8 The visitors ran to tell the disciples.
MK 16:8 They said nothing to anyone.
LK 24:9 They told the eleven and all the rest.
JN 20:10-11 The disciples returned home. Mary remained outside,
weeping.

I second Michael's recommendations here. You might want to pick a small number of contradictions (5 or 6) and get to know the historical issues really well.

One really good example of bad bible history is Daniel's reference to "Darius the Mede" as the ruler of conquered Babylon. But he conqueror of Babylon was Cyrus, not Darius. And after Cyrus died, his son, Cambyses II, became ruler. Darius did exist, but he was Persian, not Median, and he did not come along until quite a bit later.

While you can certainly attempt it, remember no one is arguing whether or not people wrote some things in various places at various times, so the "historicity" argument is often a pointless endeavor.

The argument is whether or not those authors offer legitimate proof that their writings are the actual facts of existence or myths/embellishments based on real life events.

The author's of the gospels never had to give an exact location (longitude/latitude) of a location. They could name a cottage and burn it down while calling the cottage "Jericho" then so-called scholars will go and investigate the historic Jericho for proof that will never surface. Moses was never close to Egypt. Jesus was never in the real Galilee, period. Joseph was the "Star of Bethlehem." This crap and archeological evidence just goes to show the power of the pen.

thanks, offa