The History and Archaeology of the Bible

Course Overview

Course No. 60010

Delve into the iconic stories of the Bible through the eyes of historians and archaeologists, and discover how their findings bring fascinating and revealing perspectives to the world-shaping texts of scripture.

These 24 content-rich lessons take you on a multidimensional journey through the Bible—from Genesis to the Crucifixion—examined through the latest historical and archaeological research. Enhanced by 47 specially filmed video sequences of key biblical sites, this course offers eye-opening insights into:

• Genesis: Evidence of ancient floods and Mesopotamian links to the Tower of Babel
• The Exodus: Tracing Moses’ likely route through Egyptian mining regions
• David’s Kingdom: Excavations in Jerusalem’s “City of David”
• Assyrian Invasions: Clay tablets confirming biblical accounts of war
• Jesus’ World: Roman conscription and peasant revolts shaping his youth

Deeply fascinating for students of Abrahamic faiths, ancient civilizations, and archaeology, this course illuminates how scripture and history intertwine.

Video Lectures

Section 1: Genesis & Early Patriarchs

1. The World of Genesis (30 min)

• Biblical archaeology’s methods; flood evidence and monotheistic origins.

1. The Tower of Babel (26 min)

• Ziggurats vs. pyramids; Mesopotamian parallels to Genesis.

1. The Journeys of Abraham (28 min)

• Ur to Canaan: Tracking the father of three faiths through historical records.

1. Joseph in Egypt (27 min)

• Dynastic evidence for a Hebrew vizier’s rise under Pharaoh.

Section 2: Exodus & Settlement

5. The Story of Moses (28 min)

• Hebrew enslavement; Burning Bush sites and Theban connections.

5. The Mystery of the Exodus (32 min)

• Plagues as ecological events; Red Sea crossing theories.

5. The Settlement in the Promised Land (29 min)

• Joshua’s conquests vs. archaeology; Philistine conflicts.

Section 3: Kings & Kingdoms

8. The Rise of the Israelite Monarchy (24 min)

• Saul’s unification; David’s emergence as a military leader.

8. The Kingdom of David (26 min)

• Jerusalem’s excavation; Bathsheba and Absalom’s rebellion.

8. The Temple of Solomon (29 min)

• Megaron design; trade wealth and temple rituals.

8. The Northern Kingdom of Israel (25 min)

• Omri’s Samaria; Ahab’s downfall under Assyria.

Section 4: Empires & Exile

12. The Rise of Assyria (22 min)

• Military innovations; bas-reliefs of Lachish siege.

12. The Rise and Fall of Judah (27 min)

• Babylonian vassalage; Nebuchadnezzar’s destruction.

12. The Persian Era (26 min)

• Cyrus’s religious tolerance; post-exile Jewish identity.

12. The Empire of Alexander the Great (26 min)

• Hellenism’s spread; Septuagint translation.

Section 5: Roman Rule & Jesus

16. Judea in the Early Roman Empire (29 min)

• Sadducees, Pharisees, Essenes; Roman annexation.

16. The Kingdom of Herod the Great (26 min)

• Sebaste and Scythopolis; Second Temple expansion.

16. The World of the Gospels (27 min)

• Oral traditions; Gospel authorship debates.

16. The Birth of Jesus (27 min)

• Bethlehem’s significance; Matthew/Luke’s narratives.

16. Young Jesus (27 min)

• Peasant revolts; Torah education in Galilee.

Section 6: Ministry & Crucifixion

21. Jesus and John the Baptist (31 min)

• Apocalyptic preaching; Salome’s role in John’s death.

21. The Ministry of Jesus (33 min)

• Healing miracles; Kingdom of Heaven as social reform.

21. The Passover Events in Jerusalem (31 min)

• Temple moneychangers; Pilate’s trial location.

21. The Rise of Christianity (33 min)

• Paul’s missions; Gentile conversions and imperial adoption.