Looking for Jesus according to Matthew

[JLG]

Genesis 1:8 (5)


God

אֱלֹהִ֛ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm)

Noun - masculine plural

Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative


called

וַיִּקְרָ֧א (way·yiq·rā)

Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular

Strong's 7121: To call, proclaim, read


the expanse

לָֽרָקִ֖יעַ (lā·rā·qî·a‘)

Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular

Strong's 7549: An expanse, the firmament, visible arch of the sky


“sky.”

שָׁמָ֑יִם (šā·mā·yim)

Noun - masculine plural

Strong's 8064: Heaven, sky


And there was

וַֽיְהִי־ (way·hî-)

Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular

Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be


evening,

עֶ֥רֶב (‘e·reḇ)

Noun - masculine singular

Strong's 6153: Evening


and [there was] morning—

בֹ֖קֶר (ḇō·qer)

Noun - masculine singular

Strong's 1242: Dawn, morning


the second

שֵׁנִֽי׃ (šê·nî)

Number - ordinal masculine singular

Strong's 8145: Second (an ordinal number)


day.

י֥וֹם (yō·wm)

Noun - masculine singular

Strong's 3117: A day


- First the first part of the programme was the separation of day and night and the second one the separation of waters from above and beneath!


- Thus we can see it has the same importance!


- We can also think about Yah.weh’s organization!


- Then we may also think about the angels who rebelled and went down on the earth!


- They were part of Yah.weh’s organization for so long!


- Thus even if they rebelled against Yah.weh, they used a strong organization when organizing the city-states of Sumer before the flood!

 

[JLG]

Genesis 1:9 (6)


And God

אֱלֹהִ֗ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm)

Noun - masculine plural

Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative


said,

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer)

Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular

Strong's 559: To utter, say


“Let the waters

הַמַּ֜יִם (ham·ma·yim)

Article | Noun - masculine plural

Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen


under

מִתַּ֤חַת (mit·ta·ḥaṯ)

Preposition-m

Strong's 8478: The bottom, below, in lieu of


the sky

הַשָּׁמַ֙יִם֙ (haš·šā·ma·yim)

Article | Noun - masculine plural

Strong's 8064: Heaven, sky


be gathered

יִקָּו֨וּ (yiq·qā·wū)

Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural

Strong's 6960: To bind together, collect, to expect


into

אֶל־ (’el-)

Preposition

Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to


one

אֶחָ֔ד (’e·ḥāḏ)

Number - masculine singular

Strong's 259: United, one, first


place,

מָק֣וֹם (mā·qō·wm)

Noun - masculine singular

Strong's 4725: A standing, a spot, a condition


so that the dry [land]

הַיַּבָּשָׁ֑ה (hay·yab·bā·šāh)

Article | Noun - feminine singular

Strong's 3004: Dry land, dry ground


may appear.”

וְתֵרָאֶ֖ה (wə·ṯê·rā·’eh)

Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person feminine singular

Strong's 7200: To see


And it was

וַֽיְהִי־ (way·hî-)

Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular

Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be


so.

כֵֽן׃ (ḵên)

Adverb

Strong's 3651: So -- thus


- In this part of the programme, we are told about the separation of the dry land and the seas!

 

[JLG]

Genesis 1:10 (7)


God

אֱלֹהִ֤ים ׀ (’ĕ·lō·hîm)

Noun - masculine plural

Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative


called

וַיִּקְרָ֨א (way·yiq·rā)

Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular

Strong's 7121: To call, proclaim, read


the dry [land]

לַיַּבָּשָׁה֙ (lay·yab·bā·šāh)

Preposition-l, Article | Noun - feminine singular

Strong's 3004: Dry land, dry ground


“earth,”

אֶ֔רֶץ (’e·reṣ)

Noun - feminine singular

Strong's 776: Earth, land


and the collection

וּלְמִקְוֵ֥ה (ū·lə·miq·wêh)

Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct

Strong's 4723: Something waited for, confidence, a collection, a pond, a caravan, drove


of waters

הַמַּ֖יִם (ham·ma·yim)

Article | Noun - masculine plural

Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen


He called

קָרָ֣א (qā·rā)

Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular

Strong's 7121: To call, proclaim, read


“seas.”

יַמִּ֑ים (yam·mîm)

Noun - masculine plural

Strong's 3220: A sea, the Mediterranean Sea, large river, an artifical basin


And God

אֱלֹהִ֖ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm)

Noun - masculine plural

Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative


saw

וַיַּ֥רְא (way·yar)

Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular

Strong's 7200: To see


that

כִּי־ (kî-)

Conjunction

Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction


[it was] good.

טֽוֹב׃ (ṭō·wḇ)

Adjective - masculine singular

Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good


- Once again, we are told about the separation between earth and seas!


- We can see the precision of the action!


- First, what is done!


- Second, a word is added!

 

[JLG]

Genesis 1:11 (8)


Then God

אֱלֹהִ֗ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm)

Noun - masculine plural

Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative


said,

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer)

Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular

Strong's 559: To utter, say


“Let the earth

הָאָ֙רֶץ֙ (hā·’ā·reṣ)

Article | Noun - feminine singular

Strong's 776: Earth, land


bring forth

תַּֽדְשֵׁ֤א (taḏ·šê)

Verb - Hifil - Imperfect Jussive - third person feminine singular

Strong's 1876: To sprout, shoot, grow green


vegetation,

דֶּ֔שֶׁא (de·še)

Noun - masculine singular

Strong's 1877: A sprout, grass


seed-bearing

מַזְרִ֣יעַ (maz·rî·a‘)

Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular

Strong's 2232: To sow, to disseminate, plant, fructify


plants

עֵ֚שֶׂב (‘ê·śeḇ)

Noun - masculine singular

Strong's 6212: Herb, herbage


and fruit

פְּרִ֞י (pə·rî)

Noun - masculine singular

Strong's 6529: Fruit


trees,

עֵ֣ץ (‘êṣ)

Noun - masculine singular construct

Strong's 6086: Tree, trees, wood


each bearing

עֹ֤שֶׂה (‘ō·śeh)

Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular

Strong's 6213: To do, make


fruit

פְּרִי֙ (pə·rî)

Noun - masculine singular

Strong's 6529: Fruit


with seed

זַרְעוֹ־ (zar·‘ōw-)

Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular

Strong's 2233: Seed, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity


according to its kind.”

לְמִינ֔וֹ (lə·mî·nōw)

Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular

Strong's 4327: A sort, species


And it was

וַֽיְהִי־ (way·hî-)

Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular

Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be


so.

כֵֽן׃ (ḵên)

Adverb

Strong's 3651: So -- thus


- So in the same part of the programme, we get the separation of earth and seas and the earth starts producing vegetation and fruit and seeds!

 

[JLG]

Genesis 1:12 (9)


The earth

הָאָ֜רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ)

Article | Noun - feminine singular

Strong's 776: Earth, land


produced

וַתּוֹצֵ֨א (wat·tō·w·ṣê)

Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular

Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim


vegetation,

דֶּ֠שֶׁא (de·še)

Noun - masculine singular

Strong's 1877: A sprout, grass


seed-bearing

מַזְרִ֤יעַ (maz·rî·a‘)

Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular

Strong's 2232: To sow, to disseminate, plant, fructify


plants

עֵ֣שֶׂב (‘ê·śeḇ)

Noun - masculine singular

Strong's 6212: Herb, herbage


according to their kinds

לְמִינֵ֔הוּ (lə·mî·nê·hū)

Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular

Strong's 4327: A sort, species


and trees

וְעֵ֧ץ (wə·‘êṣ)

Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular

Strong's 6086: Tree, trees, wood


bearing

עֹֽשֶׂה־ (‘ō·śeh-)

Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular

Strong's 6213: To do, make


fruit

פְּרִ֛י (pə·rî)

Noun - masculine singular

Strong's 6529: Fruit


with seed

זַרְעוֹ־ (zar·‘ōw-)

Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular

Strong's 2233: Seed, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity


according to their kinds.

לְמִינֵ֑הוּ (lə·mî·nê·hū)

Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular

Strong's 4327: A sort, species


And God

אֱלֹהִ֖ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm)

Noun - masculine plural

Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative


saw

וַיַּ֥רְא (way·yar)

Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular

Strong's 7200: To see


that

כִּי־ (kî-)

Conjunction

Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction


it was good.

טֽוֹב׃ (ṭō·wḇ)

Adjective - masculine singular

Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good


- More precision in the process with the introduction of species!


- I can imagine it is hard for humans to understand Yah.weh’s organization in every aspect of his actions!


- Angels are used to it!


- Not humans because of Adam and Eve!


- Thus, it is easy to understand why the Bible is so difficult to understand for the majority because they can’t put Yah’weh’s organization in their mind!


-They keep having human disorders in mind!


- And in fact, they prefer human disorders!


- So they are probably pleased with today’s human disorders!


- In fact, we can see today’s climax of human disorders!

 

[JLG]

Genesis 1:13 (10)


And there was
וַֽיְהִי־ (way·hî-)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

evening,
עֶ֥רֶב (‘e·reḇ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6153: Evening

and there was
וַֽיְהִי־ (way·hî-)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

morning—
בֹ֖קֶר (ḇō·qer)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1242: Dawn, morning

the third
שְׁלִישִֽׁי׃ (šə·lî·šî)
Number - ordinal masculine singular
Strong's 7992: Third, feminine a, third, a third, a third-story cell)

day.
י֥וֹם (yō·wm)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day

- End of the third part of the programme!

- Thus, in the two first parts of Yah.weh’s programme, there is one action each time!

- But in the third one, there are two actions!

 

[JLG]

Genesis 1: 14-19 (11)

- Here again for the fourth part of the programme, we get one action: the creation of the sun and the moon or the lights to illuminate the earth during day and night!

 

[JLG]

Genesis 1: 20-23 (12)

- For the fifth part of the programme, we get one action: the creation of sea creatures and flying creatures!

 

[JLG]

From verse 24 till the end of chapter one (13)

- for the sixth part of the programme, we get two actions: the creation of animals living on the earth and of the first human couple!

- All the time we get precision, either one action or two!

 

[JLG]

Genesis chapter 2 (14)

- Once again, in the third part of the programme, we get at the same time the separation of land and seas and the creation of vegetation and every plant starts to grow and reproduce!

4This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created, when the Lord God made the earth and the heavens.

5Now no shrub had yet appeared on the earth and no plant had yet sprung up, for the Lord God had not sent rain on the earth and there was no one to work the ground,

6but streams came up from the earth and watered the whole surface of the ground.

7Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.

8Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed.

9The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

10A river watering the garden flowed from Eden; from there it was separated into four headwaters.

11The name of the first is the Pishon; it winds through the entire land of Havilah, where there is gold.

12(The gold of that land is good; aromatic resin and onyx are also there.)

13The name of the second river is the Gihon; it winds through the entire land of Cush.

14The name of the third river is the Tigris; it runs along the east side of Ashur. And the fourth river is the Euphrates.

15The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.

- This chapter is particularly interesting for what we are looking for!

- Here verse 5 says no plant had yet sprung up because the Lord God had not sent rain on the earth and there was no one to work the ground !

- Two reasons are given!

- but according to verse 6, streams came up from the earth and watered the whole surface of the ground!

- So no rain but four rivers!

- And according to verse 9, Yah.weh made all kinds of trees grow in the garden of Eden!

- And man creates the first couple but we still don’t hear about rains!

 

[JLG]

Genesis chapter 7 (15)

- Now we can read the next chapters but there is no rain!

- Then we get to verses 11 and 12:

In
בִּשְׁנַ֨ת (biš·naṯ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8141: A year

the six
שֵׁשׁ־ (šêš-)
Number - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8337: Six (a cardinal number)

hundredth
מֵא֤וֹת (mê·’ō·wṯ)
Number - feminine plural
Strong's 3967: A hundred

year
שָׁנָה֙ (šā·nāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8141: A year

of Noah’s
נֹ֔חַ (nō·aḥ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5146: Noah -- 'rest', patriarch who survived the flood

life,
לְחַיֵּי־ (lə·ḥay·yê-)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 2416: Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life

on the seventeenth
בְּשִׁבְעָֽה־ (bə·šiḇ·‘āh-)
Preposition-b | Number - masculine singular
Strong's 7651: Seven, seven times, a week, an indefinite number

day
י֖וֹם (yō·wm)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day

of the second
הַשֵּׁנִ֔י (haš·šê·nî)
Article | Number - ordinal masculine singular
Strong's 8145: Second (an ordinal number)

month,
בַּחֹ֙דֶשׁ֙ (ba·ḥō·ḏeš)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2320: The new moon, a month

all
כָּֽל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the fountains
מַעְיְנֹת֙ (ma‘·yə·nōṯ)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 4599: A fountain, a source

of the great
רַבָּ֔ה (rab·bāh)
Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 7227: Much, many, great

deep
תְּה֣וֹם (tə·hō·wm)
Noun - common singular
Strong's 8415: An abyss, the deep

burst forth,
נִבְקְעוּ֙ (niḇ·qə·‘ū)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 1234: To cleave, to rend, break, rip, open

and
עָשָׂ֥ר (‘ā·śār)
Number - masculine singular
Strong's 6240: Ten

the floodgates
וַאֲרֻבֹּ֥ת (wa·’ă·rub·bōṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 699: A lattice, a window, dovecot, chimney, sluice

of the heavens
הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם (haš·šā·ma·yim)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8064: Heaven, sky

were opened.
נִפְתָּֽחוּ׃ (nip̄·tā·ḥū)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 6605: To open wide, to loosen, begin, plough, carve

- Then you don’t only get rain but all the fountains of the great deep burst forth and the floodgates of the heavens were opened!

- It can’t be clearer!

 

[JLG]

Genesis 7:20 (16)

- Then verse 20 is particularly interesting!

The waters
הַמָּ֑יִם (ham·mā·yim)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen

rose
גָּבְר֖וּ (gā·ḇə·rū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 1396: To be strong, to prevail, act insolently

and covered
וַיְכֻסּ֖וּ (way·ḵus·sū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Pual - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3680: To plump, fill up hollows, to cover

the mountaintops
הֶהָרִֽים׃ (he·hā·rîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 2022: Mountain, hill, hill country

to a depth
מִלְמַ֔עְלָה (mil·ma‘·lāh)
Preposition-m, Preposition-l | Adverb | third person feminine singular
Strong's 4605: The upper part, with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top

of fifteen
חֲמֵ֨שׁ (ḥă·mêš)
Number - feminine singular construct
Strong's 2568: Five

cubits.
אַמָּה֙ (’am·māh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 520: A mother, a cubit, a door-base

 

[JLG]

What does Genesis 7:20 represent exactly? (17)

Genesis 7:20 represents the absolute and comprehensive nature of God's judgment, as the floodwaters covered the highest mountains to a depth of at least fifteen cubits, leaving no place on Earth untouched by God's decree against sin. The verse emphasizes the severity of this worldwide event, demonstrating that no one was beyond the reach of God's judgment, except for Noah and his family, who were preserved in the ark due to their faith and obedience.
Significance of the Flood's Depth

• Completeness of Judgment: The detail that the waters rose fifteen cubits (approximately 22 feet) above the highest mountains signifies that God's judgment was total and inescapable for all humanity and land-dwelling creatures, except for those in the ark.
• Worldwide Event: The fact that the highest mountains were covered confirms that the flood was not a local event but a global one, overwhelming the entire known world.

Theological Themes

• God's Sovereignty: The flood illustrates God's absolute authority over creation, demonstrating His power to both destroy and preserve life.
  

Consequences of Sin: The flood serves as a stark reminder of the seriousness of sin and God's righteous judgment against it.
Salvation Through Faith: In contrast to the widespread death, Genesis 7:20 also points to God's provision of a means of salvation through Noah's obedience in building the ark. Noah's faith led to his preservation, offering hope and demonstrating God's faithfulness to His promises.

 

[JLG]

What represents fifteen cubits? (18)


Fifteen cubits represents a depth of water approximately 22.5 feet (6.75 meters), a measurement mentioned in the biblical account of Noah's flood (Genesis 7:20) to describe how high the floodwaters rose above the mountains. The cubit is an ancient unit of length, roughly the distance from a man's elbow to the tip of his middle finger, and while its exact length varies, it is generally understood to be about 18 inches or 45 centimeters.

The Significance of "Fifteen Cubits"

• Biblical Context: In Genesis 7:20, the phrase "Fifteen cubits upward" indicates that the floodwaters were deep enough to cover the highest mountains.

The Cubit Measurement

• A Common Ancient Unit: The cubit was a standard unit of measurement in ancient times, derived from body proportions.

Therefore, "fifteen cubits" in the Genesis account represents the significant depth of the floodwaters, approximately 22.5 feet above the mountaintops, demonstrating the global extent of the flood and the complete destruction of life on the earth.


Symbolic Meaning: The depth of the water, and thus the scale of God's judgment, is emphasized by this specific measurement. It highlights the thoroughness of the flood, ensuring the complete destruction of all life outside the ark.

Relationship to the Ark: The height of the ark itself was 30 cubits. The water rising 15 cubits over the mountains is thought to be significant because it represents half the height of the ark, suggesting the ark was fully submerged and the mountains were completely covered.

Approximate Length: A generally accepted length for a cubit is 18 inches (45 centimeters), making 15 cubits about 22.5 feet. Other ancient sources note a longer "royal cubit" around 52.5 cm.

 

[JLG]

Is there enough water on earth (above, on and under to cover all the mountains? (19)


No, there isn't enough water on Earth to cover all the mountains, as all existing water would only cover the planet to a depth of about 2.7 km if the land were perfectly flat. However, the question of whether there is enough water depends on whether the mountains were lower and the ocean floors shallower before a potential "flood" event. If the Earth's surface were perfectly smooth, all the water would cover it to a depth of about 2.7 kilometers.
Why the Earth's surface isn't smooth

• Deep oceans and high mountains: The Earth's surface is not smooth because it has deep ocean basins and high mountain ranges.
• Plate tectonics: Mountain formation and the deepening of ocean basins are caused by the movement of tectonic plates, which is a continuous geological process.

Water distribution and volume

• Total volume: The total volume of water on Earth is about 1.386 billion cubic kilometers.

What would it take to cover the mountains?

• A different Earth: To cover all the mountains on Earth, the planet's surface would need to be much smoother, with shallower ocean floors and lower mountains.

Conclusion
Therefore, with the current shape and condition of the Earth, there is not enough water to cover all the mountains. For such a global flood to have occurred, the mountains would have been much lower, and the ocean basins shallower, which is not the case on Earth today.

Oceans: The vast majority of this water, about 96.5%, is in the oceans.
More water: Alternatively, a significant amount of additional water, more than twice the amount currently on Earth, would be required.

 

[JLG]

Guess what (20)

- Definitely interesting!

- The earth is constantly evolving!

- Everything was different!

- And the volume of water above was completely different!

- It is always the same!

- Everything changes constantly whereas humans usually think as if it has always been the same!

- That’s why it is hard or impossible for humans to understand the Bible!

- What is true today will be wrong tomorrow!

- Worse than that, humans usually prefer lies and liars!

- In the Bible, we get the same, there were Yah.weh’s prophets and official prophets!

- The first ones said that Jerusalem was going to be destroyed!

- The official ones said no way!

- Guess what: Jerusalem was destroyed!

- Guess what is going to happen next time!

- Who will be right: Yah.weh’s prophets or the official ones?

 

[JLG]

meaning of “himtir” in ancient Hebrew (21)


The term "hìmtir" (הִמְטִיר) in ancient Hebrew means "to rain down" or "to make rain". The root word, mentioned in relation to waters in the Hebrew language, connects to something that materializes or becomes tangible, similar to how water from the sky becomes present. Therefore, "hìmtir" specifically refers to the act of causing rain, often in the sense of showering down or delivering something in abundance, such as God's blessings or provisions.
Breakdown of the word:

• Root: The verb "hìmtir" is derived from a root related to water (mayim) and the concept of tangibility or materialization.
• Meaning: It signifies the action of rain falling, or God causing rain to fall, thus materializing something from the sky.

Examples in context:

• While the search results don't provide direct biblical verses for "hìmtir," the concept aligns with God showering down blessings or provisions, such as rain for the land.

 

[JLG]

How did the first Sumerian cities disappear? (22)

The Sumerian cities declined due to environmental factors, such as soil salinization and shifts in river courses, which destroyed agricultural productivity. This decline was exacerbated by internal conflicts between city-states and constant warfare. Finally, external invasions by groups like the Akkadians and Elamites, who capitalized on the weakened state of Sumer, led to the collapse of the civilization.
Environmental Factors

• Soil Salinization: Over centuries, the irrigation systems that brought water to the fertile land of Sumer also brought minerals. When the water evaporated, these minerals accumulated, making the soil increasingly salty and less suitable for growing crops.

Internal Conflicts

• Warfare Between City-States: Sumer was not a unified kingdom for much of its history but a collection of independent city-states (like Kish, Uruk, and Ur) that frequently fought with each other for power and resources.

External Invasions

• Akkadian Empire: The Sumerian city-states were conquered by the Semitic-speaking Akkadians under Sargon of Akkad around 2334 BCE.

The combination of these environmental, internal, and external pressures led to the gradual collapse of the Sumerian city-states, with the population eventually shifting northwards to newer cities like Babylon and the civilization fading into history until its rediscovery in the 19th century.

Shifting River Courses: The Euphrates and Tigris rivers, the lifeblood of Sumer, would gradually elevate their riverbeds due to sediment buildup. This would cause the rivers to change course over time, leading to the drying up of canals and the abandonment of cities that depended on them.
Vulnerability to Invasion: This constant internal warfare weakened the Sumerian civilization and made it vulnerable to external conquerors.
Elamites and Other Groups: After the Akkadian empire fell, other groups, including the Gutians and later the Elamites, invaded and ruled Sumer. The Elamites delivered a final blow to a resurgent Sumerian kingdom (Ur-III) around 2004 BCE.

 

[JLG]

What was the weather like in Mesopotamia BCE? (23)

In ancient Mesopotamia (BCE), the weather was semi-arid and characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters, with spring floods from melting snow providing essential water for agriculture. This climate made civilization heavily reliant on sophisticated irrigation systems to manage the unpredictable but life-giving Tigris and Euphrates rivers.
Key Characteristics of the Mesopotamian Climate:

• Semi-Arid Conditions: The overall climate was dry, with limited natural rainfall.

Impact on Civilization:

• Agricultural Challenges: The unpredictable nature of the floods and the general dryness required significant labor and organization to construct and maintain canals and levees.
  

Hot, Dry Summers: The period from late spring to early fall was marked by intense heat and drought.
Mild, Rainy Winters: The season from late fall to early spring saw most of the region's rainfall, which was crucial for replenishing water sources.
Seasonal Floods: Snowmelt in the mountains caused annual spring floods in the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.
Dependence on Rivers: Because of the limited rainfall, Mesopotamian agriculture depended on extensive irrigation systems to channel river water to fields.
Resource Management: The inhabitants developed advanced irrigation and water management techniques to harness the powerful rivers and make the land fertile for crops.
Settlement Patterns: Civilizations flourished along these rivers, taking advantage of the cooler temperatures and reliable water supply provided by the river systems, as noted by Study.com.

 

[JLG]

Evolution of the Mesopotamian climate BCE? (24)

The Mesopotamian climate experienced significant shifts BCE, transitioning from a more moisture-rich mid-Holocene to increasingly arid conditions after roughly 5200 BCE, which coincided with the end of the Late Chalcolithic period and influenced the development of early cities and irrigation techniques. Further periods of reduced rainfall occurred, including events around 3450-3300 BCE, 2600 BCE, and a major dry period from 2200-2050 BCE that reduced precipitation, potentially impacting the Akkadian Empire.
Mid-Holocene (ca. 6500–5500 BCE)

• Increased Moisture: Early urban development and expansion in Mesopotamia coincided with a period of peak moisture availability, which likely facilitated the growth of early cities by providing favorable conditions for resource extraction.

Late Holocene (after 5200 BCE)

• Transition to Aridity: Archives show increasing aridity after about 5200 BCE, which is linked to the end of the Late Chalcolithic period and the abandonment of some key settlements, demonstrating the sensitivity of these centers to climatic variability.

Factors Driving Climate Change

• Western Disturbances: A model suggests that reduced Western Disturbances, which bring moisture from the Mediterranean Sea, played a role in the decrease in precipitation and aridification of the region.
  

Drier, Unpredictable Rivers: By around 4000 BCE, climates became drier, and rivers like the Tigris and Euphrates became more unpredictable. This caused marshes to retreat in Lower Mesopotamia, necessitating irrigation to make surrounding lands arable.
Climate Events and Impacts:

• Akkadian Empire Period: A significant drought and cooling event occurred, linked to reduced Western Disturbances and leading to decreased precipitation, impacting agricultural conditions and possibly contributing to the collapse of the Akkadian Empire.

Barley Cultivation: The shift to more drought-tolerant crops like barley became necessary as soil was degraded by drought and salinity.

Salt Poisoning: Continuous irrigation brought salts to the surface, poisoning the soil and making it less suitable for growing wheat, further emphasizing the need for drought-resistant crops.
North Atlantic Cooling: Paleoclimatic records show a drop in North Atlantic Ocean temperatures about 4,100 years ago (around 2100 BCE), which is linked to the aridification of Mesopotamia and could indicate a broader global climatic connection.