Believer In Yeshua
Shin in the Valleys of Jerusalem?
To properly understand the physical, material remains of that archaeology exposes archaeologists first need to understand the context in which they are found. It is because of this that much archaeological practice has little to do with the spade ~ rather it consists of the research needed before a spade hits the ground. Included in that research has to be an understanding of the of the surroundings in which a site is found.
In Jerusalem this involves a full understanding of the geology of Jerusalem. First and foremost we need to understand that Jerusalem is defined by three valleys: The Kidron, the Tyropoeon and the Hinnom valleys. They surround Jerusalem and help us understand why it developed in the way it did.
Practically the easiest way of explaining this valley system has always been to speak in terms of the Hebrew letter "shin"/"sin" or, in English, a "W". When viewed from the South that is the shape these valley take. Recently a myth has developed suggesting that the Bible's seemingly first name for Jerusalem, "Salem", comes from Abraham first viewing of this city from the South and seeing the valleys form this letter. The above picture shows the relationship of these valleys to each other and Jerusalem. You will note how it very helpfully forms, with this view from the East, the shape of a "shin" on its side; we make no further conclusions about this myth from this interesting fact.
Shin in the Valleys of Jerusalem?
To properly understand the physical, material remains of that archaeology exposes archaeologists first need to understand the context in which they are found. It is because of this that much archaeological practice has little to do with the spade ~ rather it consists of the research needed before a spade hits the ground. Included in that research has to be an understanding of the of the surroundings in which a site is found.
In Jerusalem this involves a full understanding of the geology of Jerusalem. First and foremost we need to understand that Jerusalem is defined by three valleys: The Kidron, the Tyropoeon and the Hinnom valleys. They surround Jerusalem and help us understand why it developed in the way it did.
Practically the easiest way of explaining this valley system has always been to speak in terms of the Hebrew letter "shin"/"sin" or, in English, a "W". When viewed from the South that is the shape these valley take. Recently a myth has developed suggesting that the Bible's seemingly first name for Jerusalem, "Salem", comes from Abraham first viewing of this city from the South and seeing the valleys form this letter. The above picture shows the relationship of these valleys to each other and Jerusalem. You will note how it very helpfully forms, with this view from the East, the shape of a "shin" on its side; we make no further conclusions about this myth from this interesting fact.