Histories of the Holy Land Podcast

Send us a text Ever heard of a graveyard where the coffins are shaped like humans—some lifelike, others downright bizarre? In this episode, we dig into the secrets of the Philistines at Beit Shean: a crossroads of kings, conquerors, and cultures. It’s biblical drama, ancient mysteries, and archaeological surprises—buried, literally, in the dirt of the Holy Land. Support the show

Send us a textThe first portrayal of the Philistines can be seen in the reliefs of the Medinet Habu monument. It shows their warriors, but also their women and children on ox-carts. They came to conquer, but also to live. They fought and contributed culturally, bringing their influences from the Aegean. But were they just a bunch of foreign invaders, or were they migrants integrating into the local culture? Support the show

Send us a textIn this episode, we bring the Philistines into the story. Unfortunately, we do not have rich texts that they wrote about themselves. So we have to rely on the Bible for our understanding of the Philistines. But who were they, and how accurately are they portrayed in the biblical stories? We introduce these important players to our story. Support the show

Send us a textA lost scroll. A boy king. And a revolution that remade a nation. But was Deuteronomy really ancient law—or a bold new manifesto, crafted to legitimize power? In this episode, we look beyond the legend to ask: Was Josiah’s great reform inspired by divine revelation, or was it a brilliant act of political theater? Join us as we question the story behind Deuteronomy and explore how one mysterious book could upend everything a kingdom thought it knew.Support the show

Send us a textHistory remembers King Manasseh as Judah's most wicked ruler, but archaeological evidence tells a different story. For 55 years, he kept his tiny kingdom alive through shrewd diplomacy and careful governance, transforming defeat into survival. While his father Hezekiah's rebellion against Assyria had devastated the kingdom, Manasseh took a pragmatic approach - restoring local shrines, rebuilding trade networks, and turning Judah into a valuable buffer state between Assyria and Egypt. Under his reign, settlements expanded south, new fortifications secured vital trade routes, and agricultural innovation helped feed a growing population. His story isn't one of wickedness, but of a masterful survivor who made difficult choices to keep his kingdom alive during one of the most dangerous periods in ancient history.Support the show