The substance was not refined gasoline or diesel, but natural asphalt, often referred to in historical texts as "slime" or "pitch. " This material is a thick, sticky form of petroleum that occurs naturally, particularly in the Dead Sea region.
Biblical Oil Prices Ancient Israel: The Cost of Asphalt and Olive Oil
King Solomon’s alliance with Hiram of Tyre involved the provision of cedar logs in exchange for oil and asphalt, highlighting a formalized trade economy. While olive oil dominated anointing and lighting rituals, asphalt played a specific role in the Tabernacle and Temple.
The Geological Context and Extraction. The walls of Jerusalem and other fortified cities benefited from the use of bitumen as a binding agent, creating formidable barriers against siege engines.
Biblical Oil Prices Ancient Israel and the True Cost of Asphalt
Religious and Ritual Significance Perhaps the highest "cost" of oil in ancient Israel was its spiritual price. The most notable application was in the construction of the Ark of the Covenant and the Altar of Incense, where layers of gold were applied using an asphalt-based adhesive.
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