Biblical Hebrew Forum

[George Athas <George.Athas AT moore.edu.au>]

The fringe of the Judean desert -- that is, the land between the watershed of 
the central highlands and the Rift Valley, has for a long time been a place 
for breeding and grazing sheep and goats (esp. sheep; goats have a tendency 
to destroy pasture). The land is suited to this endeavour. We might compare 
the mirroring strip of land east of the Jordan (ancient Moab) and more to the 
north (ancient Gilead and Bashan). Remember that Mesha of Moab was a sheep 
breeder, Amos was a sheep breeder from Tekoa, and David was portrayed as a 
shepherd from the Bethlehem area.


Regards,
GEORGE ATHAS
Moore Theological College (Sydney)
Ph: 9577 9774. Mob: 0449 758 100
www.moore.edu.au