2 responses to “▶️ Biblical Archaeology From the Ground Down: The Evil Eye Mirror”

1. 

   Ian

   October 28, 2023

   Could it be that the relatives of the dead person believed evil spirits had power to prevent their loved one from entering the world beyond the grave and so they still needed the reflective mirror?
   Kath Yates.

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   1. 

      wpbibleinteract

      October 29, 2023

      My studies are in archeology not anthropology or any form of ancient psychology..
      However, we know that other cultures would introduce to the indigenous populations their foreign influences..
      The scriptural narrative actually states this by warning the early proto Israelites about the gods of the other people that dwell in the land..
      The curse of an evil eye, such as one being enticed by a spirit of jealousy or hatred or envy or other forms of lasciviousness were thought to be able to place a curse on those they are envious of.
      In our modern times one would think this would be an ancient past myth no longer thought of or in effect.
      However in foreign cultures, which have a strong influence through Catholicism, the belief in the evil eye and its effects such as possession, illness, depression are still part of a belief system that can affect ones psyche. For instance, here in the United States, psychiatrist probably never treat a patient for a belief in or cause of the influence of an evil eye..
      Overseas and in European countries. It can be quite different..
      We know that when the Israelites were taken from their land by the Assyrians In the first diaspora and then later the remnant taken from Judah by the Babylonians in the second diaspora. Upon return after the edict of Cyrus the Great brought with them their foreign beliefs.. this also occurred during the Hellenistic Period As well as the Roman Period.
      Such as the teaching of the afterlife and punishment in Hades.
      Back in the 1980s archaeologists excavated a sixth-century tomb and uncovered a small silver amulet which had an inscription from the book of Numbers.. The Lord blessed thee and keep thee and make his face shine upon me..
      This verse is thought to be a blessing which was written on an amulet to ward off evil spirits. But does not reflect on what would happen in the afterlife to a relative that has passed away.
      What I’m trying to say is that the belief systems of the Israelites changed over time depending on the influences that they were subject to.
      We really don’t hear much about the afterlife in the Old testament, but later in the New testament which would be called a Greco-Roman culture in which the people of Judea have become Helenized meaning influenced by the ancient Greek culture. Now we hear about heaven and hell and life after death. With that in mind, we can look at the helenized culture of those that dwell in the land at the time of the evil eye reflectors.
      It is possible that they could believe deceased relatives might be held over, hung up in a certain spiritual plane because of malevolent activity.
      But the evil eye reflector was used for the prevention of a malevolent spirit affecting the current present life, not the afterlife.
      However, I did a small podcast on a Babylonian text discovered in the British museum with a little humor.
      In which it did talk about malevolent spirit needing to be exercised. Possibly a family member hung up in the afterlife and still sticking around affecting the present living.

      Here are two videos that will help explain Babylonian Exorcism:
      The Babylonian Exorcist, Part 1: https://bibleinteract.com/?p=15670
      The Babylonian Exorcist, Part 2: https://bibleinteract.com/?p=15676

      I hope this answers your question. I realize my response can be a little complicated.
      Thanks for your question. I really appreciate it.
      Sincerely, Dr. George Sparks

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