Sunday, February 9, 2014

Laish/ Tel Dan, history and judgement seat

 about 1/2 mile from the sacrificial worship center was the actual city of Dan.  It was remarkably well preserved in places, as you can see in this photo.
 Strong fortifications were built to try to protect the city from foreign invasion.
 don't forget.... click to enlarge so that you can read the sign.
 I found this to be fantastically interesting.  We read in the Old Testament how the Elders "sat in the gate", as for instance in Ruth, where the elders judged whether Boaz could receive Ruth for his wife.  This is a well preserved judgement dais, just outside the city gate of Dan where the king and elders sat in judgement and the people would come with matter that they could not resolve on their own.
 I find it interesting that this was obviously a very public setting, where anyone who happened to pass by could observe and even participate in the proceedings.  Ancient Israel was set up to be a very open society in matters of law, public judgement etc.
looking northward.  

1 Comment:

Jenni Call said...

That looks way fun and cool. Next time we go this location will be on my list. Maybe in 20 years.

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