Milton C. Fisher<\/b><\/p>\n
Edward Robinson – A Man Prepared, Persistent, and Productive<\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cBible Lands Archaeology\u201d saw a considerable shift around the end of the 19th century and on into the 20th. This new trend, a swing from unearthing huge spectacular objects from major ruins of the empires of Mesopotamia and Egypt to comparatively miniscule sites in the Holy Land itself, meant a jump from macrocosm to microcosm, monuments to potsherds. Locating layered remains on the hills (\u201ctels\u201d) of Palestine became the primary goal.<\/p>\n
But in the early 19th century Palestine confronted eager visitors with a bewildering tumble of rockstrewn hills and valleys, peppered with abandoned or resettled sites from ancient times. Adding to the confusion, traditional claims as to what was where in Bible times were proffered curious (often gullible) pilgrims visiting the Holy land. Correct<\/i> identification of locations is a prerequisite of successful Biblical archaeology. This makes our present story very important.<\/p>\n
The \u201cdevout skeptic,\u201d American Edward<\/i> Robinson, stepped in to attempt a clarification of the picture. Very unlike youthful pioneers Rawlinson or Layard, Robinson\u2019s active duty in the Near East was delayed into his middle age. Forty-four, to be exact. By then he was ready<\/i> and well-prepared. Expert in classical Greek, he later mastered Hebrew, studying in Germany with the master lexicographer-grammarian, Heinrich F. W. Gesenius. A published translator and writer himself, Robinson\u2019s involvement<\/p>\n
BSP<\/i> 2:1 (Winter 1989) p. 3<\/p>\n
with the Biblical text spawned determination to untangle the topographical mess described above.<\/p>\n
When Edward Robinson accepted a call to teach at Union Seminary, New York City, it was with the proviso that he be given leave first<\/i> to spend considerable time traveling in the Near East and writing up his discoveries. The initial foray, in 1838, consumed 105 days, extending from Cairo to Beirut – by way of the Sinai, Arabia Petrea, then Jerusalem, Nazareth, Safed, Tyre and Sidon. Robinson credited his Arabic-speaking missionary companion, Eli Smith, with the success of the exploration. But he himself produced the still classic three volume report, published in 1841. Biblical Researches in Palestine<\/i> placed Bible geography on a more scientific footing.<\/p>\n
Robinson\u2019s linguistic acumen enabled him to spot some now obvious preservations of ancient place names. \u2018Anata, for Biblical Anathoth; Rammun<\/i> for ancient Rimmon; Mukhmas<\/i> for ancient Michmash, etc. This isn\u2019t foolproof, however. The modern Arab town \u201cImwas,<\/i> is too distant from Jerusalem to be the Emmaus to which two disciples walked with the resurrected Christ, ate, and returned to the city the same day.<\/p>\n
Robinson and Smith reversed direction in 1852, for a 77 day exploration of portions bypassed the first time. Departing Beirut, they visited Damascus, Baalbek and the northern coastland, besides passing through Galilee and Samaria, on to Jerusalem by a route different from the previous trip. So by 1856 Robinson could add, Later Biblical Researches in Palestine and Adjacent Regions.<\/i> His 1861 publication, Physical Geography,<\/i> was his last before blindness then death stopped his amazingly productive career.<\/p>\n
Considering a somewhat delicate childhood, Edward Robinson\u2019s stamina and courage, as demonstrated on his rugged, even dangerous Journeys, seem remarkable indeed. His crawl through the then practically clogged Hezekiah Tunnel (Gihon Spring to Siloam Pool), measuring and calmly analyzing as he went, was a test of endurance and ingenuity. \u201cRobinson\u2019s Arch,\u201d at the southwest comer of the Temple Mount, also reflects his imprint on Jerusalem.<\/p>\n
Most of their travel was done on horseback, and his calculation that six miles by horse takes two hours was one of his research tools. Thus, Robinson\u2019s calculation of distance and his Arabic key to ancient towns were both employed in his long trusted identification of modern Beltin as Bethel. As discussed elsewhere [A&BR,<\/i> Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 25-29], this is one conclusion which may well prove to be flawed. His was likely the wrong approach to counting \u201cRoman miles\u201d from Jerusalem to Bethel. And his own report on Beitln gives good reason to suspect the phonetic equation, \u201cBeitin= Bethel.\u201d He describes Beitin of his own time as containing only the<\/i> ruins of \u201ctwo (Roman period) houses.\u201d This is precisely the meaning of Arabic \u201cbeitin,\u201d two<\/i> houses. Thus the present name may not have any reference to ancient \u201cBethel\u201d whatever. Such slips in judgment happen to the best of them. [The great Sir Flin-ders Petrie (1853\u20131942) wrongly picked Tel el-Hesi to be Lachish, because of its proximity to an \u201cUmm Lakis.\u201d The correct location is Tel ed-Duwelr.]<\/p>\n
Edward Robinson remains a giant in his field, nevertheless.<\/p>\n
BSP<\/i> 2:1 (Winter 1989) p. 4<\/p>\n
Creation \/ Evolution Series<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Milton C. Fisher Edward Robinson – A Man Prepared, Persistent, and Productive \u201cBible Lands Archaeology\u201d saw a considerable shift around the end of the 19th century and on into the 20th. This new trend, a swing from unearthing huge spectacular objects from major ruins of the empires of Mesopotamia and Egypt to comparatively miniscule sites … Continue reading “EDWARD
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