Biblical Hebrew Forum

[rob acosta <robacosta AT hotmail.com>]

Mr Stinehart:
   You wrote:' Abimelek wrote 8 Amarna Letters in the mid-14th century BCE, 
about Year 14, that likewise refer to contested access to water wells."  I 
interject here only because, as usual, there is a lack of historical accuracy 
on your part that the audience should be made aware. Mr K.A. Kitchen, in his 
book "Suppiluluima and the Amarna Letters" comes to the carefully laid out 
conclusion that the Abimilek of Tyre in the Amarna Letters abandoned the 
island "no later than Year 14 of Akhenaten"    Your theory, of course, 
depends on Abimilek being in power on Tyre for years after this date as you 
believe Abraham rescues Lot from the Hittites in Year 14.   However, Mr 
Kitchen points out that the Great Syrian War, long over by the time Abimilek 
leaves Tyre,as most likely having occurred in Year 12 of Akhenaten, as do a 
number of other genuine experts in the field such as William Moran.  As I 
recall, you were unaware Abimilek abandoned Tyre due to the water situation 
and never returned. We must add your lack of knowledge regarding the fate of 
Abimilek to your numerous other errors regarding the facts of the Amarna age 
and those endless claims that Hebron is a mountainous wasteland that couldn't 
have supported Abraham's cattle...but obviously can support hundreds of 
thousands of people as it does today.   Mr. kitchen's conclusions makes your 
extensive speculation about this Abimilek interacting with Abraham more than 
a little preposterous.    As for the Philistines, the Jewish records must be 
considered.They show Abraham dealt with a group called the Avvim, who were 
then later destroyed by the Caphtorim.(Deut 2:23) Both groups were considered 
to be "invaders" or "philistines" to the Hebrews just as any number of 
peoples were"barbarians" to the ancient Greeks.   Rob Acosta  


   
Rob Acosta