Language:
English
Year of publication:
2023
Titel der Quelle:
Zeitschrift für die Alttestamentliche Wissenschaft
Angaben zur Quelle:
135,2 (2023) 230-250
Keywords:
Micah
;
Bible. Geography
;
Archaeological site location
;
Tel Goded (Israel)
;
Tel Azeqa (Israel)
Abstract:
This article deals with the oft-debated identification of Moresheth Gath, mentioned in the book of Micah as the prophet’s hometown. Based on comprehensive analysis of texts from the early Christian period, the Amarna archive and the book of Micah, the authors claim for the first time that Moresheth Gath is to be identified with Azekah, the economically and strategically important site in the western Shephelah. »Moresheth Gath« was the old name of the site before becoming part of Judah at the end of the 9th century BCE, when the Judahite rulers renamed it »Azekah«.
Abstract:
In a recent article, Oded Lipschits and Jakob Wöhrle argue for Tel Azekah as the hometown of the biblical prophet Micah of Moresheth Gath. However, the main arguments are not convincing and can easily be refuted. Above all, the overall rejection of the patristic sources is methodologically questionable and cannot stand up to scrutiny since the alleged contradictoriness does not exist within the Christian topographical tradition. Moreover, it can be shown that geographical, epigraphical, etymological and archaeological data were used in a one-sided and erroneous way.
Description / Table of Contents:
Gaß, Erasmus. Is Azekah really the hometown of Micah the Morasthite? Some critical remarks. Id. 135,4 (2023) 602-614.
DOI:
10.1515/zaw-2023-2004
URL:
Locate this publication in Israeli libraries
Permalink
