The Hebrews, nomadic branch of the Semites,
were enslaved in Egypt for centuries till their exodus c.14th century BC
guided by Moses. He, though an offspring of Hebrew slaves, was educated
at the royal Pharaonic court under the patronage of an Egyptian princess.
Biblical records, if to be trusted for historical references, indicate that
he lead the Hebrews out of bondage in Egypt and through the Sinai desert
on their way to southern Canaan/Phoenicia.
Egyptian Stand on Race
As a people, the Egyptians had
a very racist and antagonistic stand vis-à-vis all other races.
They considered Semitic Hebrews, Canaanites, Libyans, Black Nubians (even
though Nubian Pharaohs ruled Egypt for 100 years), Ethiopians and other
non-Egyptians as sub-human. Hence, they treated the aforesaid Hebrew nomads
with disdain. It is, therefore, safe to say that most Hebrews in Egypt
were not permitted to rise as a people and they suffered in ignorance
and poverty.
Forty Years in the Desert
On their way out of Egypt, the
Hebrews spent 40 years wandering in the desert of Sinai. During this time
all who left Egypt died, including Moses himself who saw the "promised"
land but did not live long enough to enter it. Consequently, the Hebrews
arrived in Canaan/Phoenicia uncivilized nomads with very little skills
or knowledge which civilized people of the area had. By the time they
captured Jerusalem c. 1000 BC they have had very little newly acquired
capabilities other than fighting wars with the Canaanites/Phoenicians,
the Philistines, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Aramaeans, the Ammonites,
the Amalekites and the Edomites.
Hebrew Ignorance of Building Techniques
The Hebrews never had the enough opportunity to master the art and science
of building in Egypt. They were hardened in the desert and in battle but
lacked the know-how to build palaces worthy of kings or a Temple worthy
of God, the Ark of the Covenant, the Tablets of the Law and the Pentateuch
of Moses. These important items of the Hebrew religion were treasured
in a tabernacle (tent) up till this point in time.
Phoenicians/Canaanites Help Kings David
and Solomon
When David was chosen king and,
thereafter, Solomon; they were in need of artisans, architects, craftsmen,
builders and building material especially wood and precious metals to
build a temple and palace. The best known and most gifted people to fulfill
the kings' needs were the Phoenicians. Hence, both kings sought and received
Phoenician know-how and materials.
The Temple of Melqart of Tyre
The Phoenicians had a proven record
of their building skills in their Temple of Melqart in Tyre. Historians
refer to it as one of unmatched magnificence in the Eastern Mediterranean.
It was said to have two great columns one of gold and the other covered
with precious stones. Herodotus sang its praises when he visited Tyre.
Its name was change to the Temple of Heracles when he visited -- much
like the name of the Columns of Melqart at Gibraltar were
changed to the Columns of Heracles/ Hercules.
Solomon's Temple Copy of Melqart's Temple
After studying records about Solomon's
Temple and Melqart's Temple, one finds a lot in common between the two.
It would not be a far-fetched suggestion to say that Solomon's Temple
of Jerusalem was a copy of Melqart's Temple of Tyre. Because of the splendor
it occupied in their mind, it is understandable that the Phoenician builders
must have used Melqart's Temple as a prototype for designing and building
Solomon's Temple.
Information supplied
by: "http://phoenicia.org
|