Biblical Life and Times
There are many different natures and objects in life that we humans classify as aspects. Some examples include housing, work, school, clothing, food, leisure, and athletics. We modern humans take for granted what we have today: televisions, gyms, the internet, even electricity. In the times of the bible, in the time of Jesus, these gizmos and gadgets or even opportunities were not around. They didn't have cell phones or Facebook or computers. If they didn't have these in the ancient world, then how did they work or cook or build/make things? There is a very big time difference between now and ancient Israel (the place of Jesus and God's people). Within the 2,000 years that have ensued, a lot has changed. Let us take a look at what life was like back then.
Housing: The modern day suburban residence is exponentially different than what houses were like in Israel 2,000 years ago. Modern day houses can range from apartments to manors all with different styles like Victorian, Colonial or Neo-Tudor. Ancient Israeli buildings were mainly made of stone as there was little to no wood in the desert. There were three levels in the rural/traditional style of housing in Israel: Rawiyeh – a bottom level at the elevation of the courtyard used for storage and sheltering livestock. Mastabeh – A higher residential level used for guest sleeping, eating, hospitality and sometimes storage. Sida (gallery) – Another living area above the mastaba, used primarily for sleeping.
Food: The food in ancient Israel differs a lot from that in modern America, but this is not completely due to the time lapse. The food in Israel, ancient or modern, still greatly differs from that of the modern American dish. Israel has very strict laws about food due to their religion. Food back then was different, but that doesn't mean it was bad. The typical meal was almost exclusively vegetarian, except in a house of a rich family or on special occasions. Bread was made of either wheat or barley flour and was Israel's staple food. Israel has a variety of fruits and vegetables that were eaten in ancient times. Some of the vegetables are: cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, garlic. Fruit was important in the culture and fig was the most important fruit of all. The first figs to be harvested were considered a delicacy. Other fruits such as pomegranate, quince, dates, and sycamore were also grown. Olives were grown for oil which replaced butter and other fatty substances used in cooking. Meat was a luxury to the poorer families of the time, but took a more frequent position at the table of the wealthy families. Ancient Israelites ate lamb, calf, and goat, but only on rare occasions such as the Passover holiday and when honored guests arrived. In this time period, kitchens were not a reality, or even a dream, they were nonexistent. People cooked food outside on an open fire and then later in the courtyard inside the privacy of the house. Meat was either roasted on the open fire or boiled in a stew of herbs and broth. Pancakes were made on hot stones and bread was baked much the same way or in a stone oven.
Life was definitely different back then and now, and we can see just how far this time lapse has stretched the cultures. The time lapse may not work alone; with geography and resources, the modern popular culture and the ancient Israeli culture became very different, and now it is seen in just two of the many aspects of life.
Sources:
- "FOOD & MEALS in the BIBLE." FOOD & MEALS in the BIBLE. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 May 2013. <http://www.womeninthebible.net/food.htm>.
- "Food of Ancient Israel." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 04 July 2013. Web. 23 May 2013. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Architecture_of_Israel#Traditional_rural_house_>.
- Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 23 May 2013. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Architecture_of_Israel#Traditional_rural_house>.