Saturday, July 8, 2023

Timna and the Tribe of Ephraim

Nissim Amzaleg writes in HaAretz about the emergence of the people of Israel. The Timna copper mines were the scene of the rebellion and escape of Amalekite slave miners. They destroyed the local temple of goddess Hathor (pic) and erected a tent sanctuary instead. It was circa 1200 BC. They settled among mountain Canaanites, as described. Joshua, an Ephraimite, led the copper miners' tribe. They could not pronounce "Shibboleth" they spoke with an "s".  

When touring Sinai (Then, it was ours!), stopped at the Timna mines and visited the underground galleries. That was forty-five years ago and already I was too fat for any exploration in that terrible heat. There were multiple holes that served as ventilation vents. At that time, the site was deserted and virgin, now development & tourism has ruined it. I took pictures but I am not going to search for them now.  

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