Tel Sheva & Tel Arad Field Trip

This was where we stopped to see Abraham's well. We were originally supposed to go to the Bedoun women and watch them weave items, but there has been a little contention that happened in the past week, so we toured this spot instead. This is also where Abraham's wife, Sarah, and Hagar fought over who's son would inherit the birthright of Abraham.

We had a short devotional and drove straight to Tel Arad.

My roommate, Lindy, who is in the corner of the ancient temple in Tel Arad.

This is the altar in which sacrifices were made. It is so interesting to learn about the composition and postition of the floor plan within the ancient temples. This temple has a broad room structure and I found it super interesting that the whole temple was decomissioned with dirt. Becuase the people tried to save their temple by decomissioning it, we now have certain artificats from this ancient temple. The original cella, or holy of holies, is preserved in the Israel Artifact Museam that we will be visiting in a couple weeks!

First Picture: The column is where they would burn frankencense to get rid of the odor from the sacrificings.

Second picture: This is the Holy of Holies, or most sacred place of the temple.

First picture: Professor Strathern standing in the holy of holies, and explaining the architcture of the temple to us.

Second Picture: overlook from the Tel Arad.

Be'ersheva

Be'er= well

Sheva= oath

This tel is located between a dry riverbed and Hebron. This is where Abraham dug a well and made an oath to the local chieftain, King Abimelech. We got to tour the large underground water system of the tel. It dates back to 9-- BC. The wall is made of Casemate stones to give added strength. I found it most interesting the altar had hornes on the sides of it. Professor Strathern tells us it represents strength, especially Jehovah's strength. It is made of hewed stones.

Professor Strathern gave us a very good definition of the temple.

Temple: to enter the presence of God.

-Will post pictures later once I receive them from my friends :)-

It was a beautiful day visiting these sites. I learned a lot and it was nice to enjoy in 80 degree weather. Just thinking about Provo weather makes me extra grateful to be here ;)

XOXO, alyson :)