Page 124 - Advanced Biblical Backgrounds Revised

slave forever, for according to Mosaic Law, he had to be released after six years of service unless he
declared that he loved his master and elected not to go free.

Notable changes in dressing can be observed in this era. Three developments characterize the clothing
of the period in Palestine. (1) Greek styles in the almost thirty Hellenistic cities influenced many of the
upper-class Jews. (2) Instead of an almost universal preference for wool fabrics in earlier periods, many
now chose linen. (3) With more dyes available and more dye works in operation, people increasingly
wore more showy-colored clothing than in previous periods. Apparently, the Mosaic Law that forbade
the mixing of linen and wool in the same garment (e. g., Deuteronomy 22:11) was obeyed. Sandals
consisted of several pieces of leather stitched together. 173

Housing was mainly influenced by two factors: Hellenization and socio-economic standing. Greek styles
of the building were trending and would mostly be adopted by those who embraced Hellenism. Most
Jews chose to continue with their traditional way of erecting houses. In both groups, the larger houses
built with baked and expensive material represented affluence.

Wheat and barley made up the staple diet of the general public. Vegetables and fruits were regular
supplements. Palestinians also raised cattle, sheep, goats, and poultry. Fish was sourced mainly from the
Sea of Galilee and the Jordan River. Flourishing vineyards provided wine as a beverage. While olive oil
was used for cooking, it also served medicinal and lighting purposes. As expected, the more complete
the diet, the wealthier one was, with the poor basically managing cereals and vegetables.

Economics and Trade

Palestinians predominantly engaged in farming. The subsistence farmers produced crops to sustain their
families. Anything excessive would be sold or exchanged for the commodities they lacked. Owners of
large land mainly included the ruling elite or wealthy individuals. Peasants usually worked in these fields
as laborers. Those whose crops failed due to droughts or warfare could also find themselves sold as
laborers or slaves of the more successful citizens.

An increase in trade introduced various farm species in the form of fruits, vegetables, and cereals. While
dry farming was traditional, irrigation was also practiced, especially around the sea of Galilee. Notable
flourishing fruits in the Maccabean period include pears, apples, peaches, plums, cherries, dates,
pomegranates, and figs. Grape plantations and Vineyard were also a huge part.

Crafts and trades were also an important part of the economics of Palestine. Tailors, masons,
stonecutters, woodworkers, bakers, perfumers, smiths (goldsmiths, silversmiths, blacksmiths), dyers and
tanners, carpet weavers, ceramic workers, glass smelters, washerwomen, midwives (for women), were
among the prominent ones. Scribes were also hired to copy documents and books. This gave rise to the
need to cultivate papyrus, which was mostly imported from Egypt. Jews did not engage in carving
sculptures, largely because of the Second Commandment, which forbade the making of graven images.
Gaining control of Joppa on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea gave the Jews an open door to trade
with the western world. Their acquisition of Idumea gave them access to the trade routes through
Negev. When they became a Roman province, economic potential would be unlocked as they were free
to trade on the Roman roads. However, heavy Roman taxation would be imposed on them.

173 Ibid, p. 378.

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