Biblical Archaeology Review

Huldah is the only Jerusalemite prophetess mentioned in the Bible during the period of the monarchy (See 2 Kings 22:14–20). King Josiah consulted her when he sent to “inquire of the Lord” concerning the Book of the Law (which most scholars consider to be the book of Deuteronomy) that was found during his restoration of the Temple in about 621 B.C.

Mishnah: (from the Hebrew, to “repeat”) The body of Jewish oral law: specifically, the collection of oral laws compiled by Rabbi Judah the Prince in the second century.

Talmud: (from the Hebrew, to “study”) A written compendium of oral law completed by about the fifth century and comprised of the Mishnah and the Gemara, a commentary on the Mishnah. The Talmud exists in two versions: the Jerusalem and the Babylonian.

Because the story of the Parker Mission has never been told so completely as it is in this article, BAR asked the author to provide extensive documentation. The citations in the text refer to his sources.

A repeat of the same incident or language.

Of course de Vaux wrote before the discovery of the Ebla archive; on the possible effect of the Ebla materials on the authenticity of Genesis 14, see “Syria Tries To Influence Ebla Scholarship,” BAR 05:02. But see “Ebla Evidence Evaporates,” BAR 05:06.

These stand for Yahwist (J), Elohist (E), the priestly source (P), and Deuteronomist (D).

See “Abraham in History,” BAR 03:04.

Stalactites are icicle-like formations of calcium carbonate that hang from the roofs or sides of caverns. They are produced when water seeps through limestone and partially dissolves the rock.

A gerusiarch is the head of an assembly of elders.