Brain Snacks: Tasty Tidbits of Knowledge
The Hebrew Bible combines twelve books into the one Book of the Twelve. The re-unified nations of Israel and Judah would bring together twelve tribes (Source)
2000s: the decade that “Micah” breaks into the top 100 list of baby names for boys. Habakkuk’s still waiting for its moment. (Source)
Jonah achieves enlightenment after sitting in the shade of a giant plant. Buddha gains enlightenment after sitting under a Bodhi tree. Coincidence or influence? (Source)
For a fun overview of the history of the plant in Jonah 4 and why it wasn’t really a gourd, check out this slide deck by agriculture scholars (who knew?) Jules Janick and Harry Paris. (Source)
A fortress from the time of Jonah was discovered on the hill where Jonah is said to be buried, no doubt to keep him from running away. (Source)
Things that make you go “hmmmm”: the book has several intriguing references to Cush, Ethiopia and Cushi, Zephaniah’s father. In ancient Jewish lore, the land of Cush refers to a region of Africa and its dark-skinned residents. Were these ancestors of the Jewish Africans whom some believe to be living remnants of the lost tribes? (Source) (Source)
On a related note, Hosea’s father was named Beeri, which is Hebrew for “fraternity brother.”