The land of the kings grace can be ruled, dominated, possessed, owned or sacrificed to Moloch.
ENTRY: mlk.
DEFINITION: West Semitic, to rule, dominate, possess, own; Common Semitic noun *malk-, ruler, king. 1. Melkite, from Aramaic malkye, plural of malky, royal, royalist, from malk, king. 2. Melchizedek, from Hebrew malkî-edeq, my king (is) righteousness, from malk, presuffixal form of melek, king + -î, my. 3. Moloch, from Hebrew mlek, from Canaanite *mulk, perhaps variant of Canaanite *malk, *milk, king. 4. Mameluke, from Arabic mamlk, owned, slave, Mameluke, passive participle of malaka, to own, possess.
Or it can become gracious
ENTRY: nn.
DEFINITION: To be(come) gracious. 1. Ann, Hannah, from Hebrew annâ, grace, from nan, to be(come) gracious. 2. John, ultimately from Hebrew yônn, Yahweh has been gracious, from nn, lengthened form of nan, he has been gracious (yô, Yahweh; see hwy). 3. Hannibal, from Phoenician (Punic) *ann-bacl, my grace (is) Baal, from *ann, my grace, from *ann, grace (*bacl, lord, Baal; see bcl).
The history of the land is one of covenants made and
contracts, treaties and cease fires broken.
It helps to remember that this Penteteuch is first and foremost a lawbook intended to teach the form of contracts by coming up with all the most common issues of inheritance claim and counterclaim all rolled into one.
The forms of the contracts are purposefully very specific and full of not only clauses and stipulations and blessings and curses to bind them with, but they also incorporate the names and rituals and forms of four different gods that are encountered in the conquest of Canaan.
This is important as it represents the history of the title indicating many different people or peoples, clans, tribes, nations, states, kingdoms and empires with whom various quitclaim treaties and agreements and vassalages are involved in the sale, acquisition and transfer of title to the land over quite a long period of time.
Israel claims it inherits the land as the descendant of Issac, descendant of Abraham to whom it was given
in return for a three year old heifer, and a three year old goat, a three year old ram, a turtledove and a young pigeon, by covenant with Yahwah (god of the air) who would have seen it like this
and el Shaddai, (lord of the land, possibly Shamsi Adad of Mari))in return for a name change of Abram and Sarai to Abraham and Sarah and circumcision.
Islam claims it inherits the land as the descendant of Ishmael first born son of Abraham and Hagar.
Islam makes its case that the land was given to it by el Shaddai lord of the land and by el roi god of the well given by covenant with those gods.
In this argument we have the counter claim that Genesis 17:23 is a gloss and denying that Sarai was the wife of Abraham, saying she was rather his sister with whom he had an incestuous relationship and whom he prostituted in Egypt and in his tent to three men one of whom promised her a son, and to Abimelech who had her brought to him Genesis 20:3 after which she had Issac and that Genesis 12:7 the land is given to Abrahams descendents but Issac is clearly the son of Abimelech which is why Abraham is instructed to sacrifice him to Moloch the god of fire and that Abraham is either a liar or the status of his relationship with Sarai is brother and sister not husband and wife.
You can almost see the shock and awe of the courtroom drama, the swords drawn and the battle joined.
Israel also claims the land through conquest going back to his pursuit of the kings who took Lot from Sodom to Hobath north of Damascus, but when Abraham and Lot first arrived, Genesis 12:7 at that time the Canaanites were in the landand through the Conquest of Josua, Judges and Kings.
In that period of time between c 18to and 1385 BC we also have the Egyptians heavily involved in campaigns against the king of Kadesh at Megiddo and Kadesh in the mountains
This is located just inland from Tyre where the fighting is going on today at the village of what the Egyptians called Shab tuna where the mountain passes narrowed and the Egyptians were ambushed.
You have almost exactly parallel accounts between the Egyptian campaign accounts and the Old testament accounts in Judges and Joshuah of the battle we see forming up on CNN in front of our eyes assuming you can substitute tanks for chariots.
Thre battle of Megiddo excerpt
An Egyptian Account of the Battle of Megiddo
ca. 1482 BCE
Mighty Bull, Shining in Thebes; King of Upper and Lower Egypt, Lord of the Two Lands; Menkheperre; Son of Re.
His Majesty commanded to cause to be recorded his victories which his father, Amon, gave to him, upon a tablet in the temple which his majesty made for his father, Amon, setting forth each expedition by its name, together with the plunder which his majesty carried away therein. It was done according to all the command which his father, Re, gave to him.
Year 22, fourth month of the second season, on the twenty-fifth day his majesty was in Tharu on the first victorious expedition to extend the boundaries of Egypt with might.
Now, at that period the Asiatics had fallen into disagreement, each man fighting against his neighbor. Now, it happened that the tribes - the people, who were there in the city of Sharuhen; behold, from Yeraza to the marshes of the earth, they had begun to revolt against his majesty.
Year 23, first month of the third season, on the fourth day, the day of the feast of the king's coronation, he arrived at the city, the possession of the ruler, Gaza.
Year 23, first month of the third season, on the fifth day; departure from this place in might, - in power, and in triumph, to overthrow that wretched foe, to extend the boundaries of Egypt, according as his father, Amon-Re, had commanded that he seize.
Year 23, first month of the third season, on the sixteenth day, he arrived at the city of Yehem.
His majesty ordered a consultation with his valiant troops, saying as follows: "That wretched enemy, the chief of Kadesh, has come and entered into Megiddo; he is there at this moment. He has gathered to himself the chiefs of all the countries which are on the water of Egypt, and as far as Naharin, consisting of the countries of the Kharu, the Kode, their horses, their troops. Thus he speaks, 'I have arisen to fight against his majesty in Megiddo.'"
They spoke in the presence of his majesty, "How is it, that we should go upon this road, which threatens to be narrow? While they come and say that the enemy is there waiting, holding the way against a multitude. Will not horse come behind horse and man behind man likewise? Shall our advance-guard be fighting while our rear-guard is yet standing yonder in Aruna not having fought? There are yet two other roads: one road, behold, it will carry us, for it comes forth at Taanach, the other, behold, it will bring us upon the way noth of Zefti, so that we shall come out to the north of Megiddo. Let our victorious lord proceed upon the road he desires; but cause us not to go by a difficult road."
Then went messengers concerning this design which they had uttered, in view of what had been said by the majesty of the Court: "I swear, as Re loves me, as my father Amon, favors me, as my nostrils are rejuvenated with satisfying life, my majesty will proceed upon this road of Aruna. Let him who will among you, go upon those roads ye have mentioned, and let him who will among you, come in the following of my majesty. Shall they think among those enemies whom Re detests: 'Does his majesty proceed upon another road? He begins to be fearful of us,' so will they think."
They spoke before his majesty: "May thy father Amon, lord of Thebes, presider over Karnak, grant thee life. Behold, we are the following of thy majesty in every place, whither thy majesty proceedeth; as the servant is behind his master."
Then his majesty commanded the entire army to march upon that road which threatened to be narrow. His majesty swore, saying: "None shall go forth in the way before my majesty." He went forth at the head of his army himself, showing the way by his own footsteps; horse behind horse, his majesty being at the head of his army.
Year 23, first month of the third season, on the nineteenth day; the watch in safety in the royal tent was at the city of Aruna. "My majesty proceeded northward under the protection of my father, Amon-Re, lord of Thebes, who went before me, while Harakhte strengthened my arms."
The enemy went forth in numerous battle array. The southern wing was in Taanach the northern wing was on the ground south of Megiddo. His majesty cried out to them before they fell; behold, that wretched foe of the city Aruna.
Now, the rear of the victorious army of his majesty was at the city of Aruna, the front was going forth to the valley; they filled the opening of this valley. Then they said in the presence of his majesty: "Behold, his majesty goeth forth with his victorious army, and it has filled the hollow of the valley; let our victorious lord hearken to us this time and let our lord protect for us the rear of his army and his people. Let the rear of this army come forth to us behind; then shall they also fight against these barbarians; then we shall not need to take thought for the rear of our army." His majesty halted outside and waited there, protecting the rear of his victorious army.
Behold, when the front had reached the exit upon this road, the shadow had turned, and when his majesty arrived at the south of Megiddo on the bank of the brook of Kina, the seventh hour was turning, measured by the sun.
Then was set up the camp of his majesty, and command was given to the whole army, saying: "Equip yourselves! Prepare your weapons! for we shall advance to fight with that wretched foe in the morning." Therefore the king rested in the royal tent, the affairs of the chiefs were arranged, and the provisions of the attendants. The watch of the army went about, saying, "Steady of heart! Steady of heart! Watchful! Watchful! Watch for life at the tent of the king." One came to say to his majesty, "The land is well, and the infantry of the South and North likewise."
Year 23, first month of the third season, on the twenty-first day, the day of the feast of the new moon, corresponding to the royal coronation, early in the morning, behold, command was given to the entire army to move. His majesty went forth in a chariot of electrum, arrayed in his weapons of war, like Horus, the Smiter, lord of power; like Montu of Thebes, while his father, Amon, strengthened his arms. The southern wing of this army of his majesty was on a hill south of the brook of Kina, the norther wing was at the northwest of Megiddo
Compare judges IV and V which calls it the wadi Kishon. Both brobably refer to Qana or Canaan.
Campaign of Seti I in Northern Palestine
Seti I Mer-ne-Ptah
The Beth Shan Stela
Year 1, 3rd month of the third season, day 10.
Live the Horus: Mighty Bull, Appearing in Thebes, Making the Two Lands to Live; the Two Goddesses: Repeating Births, Mighty of Arm, Repelling the Nine Bows; the Horus of Gold: Repeating Appearances, Mighty of Bows in All Lands; the King of Upper and Lower Egypt, Lord of the Two Lands: Men-maat-Re [Ir]-en-Re; the Son of Re, Lord of Diadems: Seti Mer-ne-Ptah,(full titulary of Seti I) beloved of Re-Har-akhti, the great god. The good god, potent with his arm, heroic and valiant like Montu, rich in captives,
(5)
knowing (how to) place his hand, alert wherever he is; speaking with his mouth, acting with his hands, valiant leader of his army, valiant warrior in the very heart of the fray, a Bastet terrible in combat, penetrating into a mass of Asiatics and making them prostrate, crushing the princes of Retenu, reaching the (very) ends of (m) him who transgresses against his way. He causes to retreat the princes of Syria (Kharu), all the boastfulness of whose mouth was (so) great. Every foreign country of the ends of the earth, their princes say: "Where shall we go ?" They spend the night giving testimony in his name, saying: "Behold it, behold it? in their hearts. It is the strength of his father Amen that decreed to him valor and victory. On this day one came to speak to his majesty, as follows:
(15)
"The wretched foe who is in the town of Hamath is gathering to himself many people, while he is seizing the town of Beth-Shan. Then there will be an alliance with them of Pahel. He does not permit the Prince of Rehob to go outside." (Generally all the cities are near Beth-Shan.) Thereupon his majesty sent the first army of Amen, (named) "Mighty of Bows," to the town of Hamath, the first army of the
(20)
Re, (named) "Plentiful of Valor," to the town of Beth-Shan, and the first army of Seth, (named) "Strong of Bows," to the town of Yanoam. (See Karnak inscription on felling trees near Yanoam.) When the space of a day had passed, they were overthrown to the glory of his majesty, the King of Upper and Lower Egypt: Men-maat-Re; the Son of Re: Seti Mer-ne-Ptah, given life.
Pritchard, James B. Ancient Near Eastern Texts. Princeton, 1969., pp., 253-254.
Seti I conducted his first Canaan campaign in the first year of his reign. The battles were fought only in the northern part of the country and the southern part was not lost even during the decline of Egyptian power prior to the accession of the 19th dynasty. Seti conquered Hatzor and Beth Anath, followed the Phoenician coast up north of Gebal and continued into the Mountains of Lebanon. One of his reliefs depicts him felling Lebanese cedars.
The excavations at Beth Shan (Beit Shean) uncovered two victory stelae, which proves that even on his first campaign he passed through Beth Shan, setting up order in this region. The rebels, the kings of Hamath and Pahel, tried to capture the town Beth-Shan, the Egyptian stronghold in this region. They besieged Rehob, a town south of Beth-Shan, which was opposed to their activities.
Seti sent three divisions (Amen, Re and Suteh) to relieve Beth-Shan, capture the rebellious Hamath and Yanoam, which lay south of the Lake of Tiberias on the road to Hatzor and dominated the passage of the River Jordan. This action considerably strengthened the Egyptian hold over Canaan.
The second stela had been used as a doorstep during the Byzantine Period and had been thought to be illegible for a long time. It describes the attack by the Apiru from Mount Yarmath (Yarmuta) - the town of Yarmoth-Ramath north of Beth Shan, near the crusader castle of Belvoir - on Egyptian held territory, and the Pharaoh's reaction:
His Majesty ordered some of his soldiers and of his many chariots to go to the mountain of Djahi. After two days they returned unharmed from the mountain of Ya... (Yarmath) with offerings, prisoners and booty...
From the reliefs of Seti I we learn that he fought against the Hittites. He even reached Kadesh and erected a victory stela there. But the war against the Hittites was concluded only seventy years later after the Battle of Kadesh.
The battle of Kadesh excerpt
Egyptian Accounts of the Battle of Kadesh
The Poem of Pentaur [1]
Beginning of the victory of King Usermare-Setepnere Ramses II, who is given life, forever, which he achieved in the land of Kheta and Naharin, in the land of Arvad [2], in Pedes [3], in the Derden [4], in the land of Mesa, in the land of Kelekesh [5], Carchemish, Kode [6], the land of Kadesh, in the land of Ekereth [7], and Mesheneth [8].
Behold, his majesty prepared his infantry and his chariotry, the Sherden of the captivity of his majesty from the victories of his word - they gave the plan of battle. His majesty proceeded northward, his infantry and his chariotry being with him. He began the goodly way to march.
Year 5, the second month of the third season tenth month, on the ninth day, his majesty passed the fortress of Tharu, like Montu when he goes forth. Every country trembled before him, fear was in their hearts; all the rebels came bowing down for fear of the fame of his majesty, when his army came upon the narrow road, being like one who is upon the highway.
Now, after many days after this, behold, his majesty was in Usermare-Meriamon, the city of cedar. His majesty proceeded northward, and he then arrived at the highland of Kadesh. Then his majesty marched before, like his father, Montu lord of Thebes, and crossed over the channel of the Orontes, there being with him the first division of Amon named: "Victory-of-King-Usermare-Setepnere."
When his majesty reached the city, behold, the wretched, vanquished [9] chief of Kheta had come, having gathered together all countries from the ends of the sea to the land of Kheta, which came entire: the Naharin likewise, and Arvad, Mesa, Keshkesh, Kelekesh, Luka, Kezweden, Carchemish, Ekereth, Kode, the entire land of Nuges, Mesheneth, and Kadesh.
He left not a country which was not brought together with their chiefs who were with him, every man bringing his chariotry, an exceeding great multitude, without its like. They covered the mountains and the valleys; they were like grasshoppers with their multitudes. He left not silver nor gold in his land but he plundered it of all its possessions and gave to every country, in order to bring them with him to battle.
Behold, the wretched, vanquished chief of Kheta, together with numerous allied countries, were stationed in battle array, concealed on the northwest of the city of Kadesh, while his majesty was alone by himself, with his bodyguard, and the division of Amon was marching behind him. The division of Re crossed over the river-bed on the south side of the town of Shabtuna,
crossed the Litani river
at the distance of an iter [10] from the division of Amon; the division of Ptah was on the south of the city of Aranami; and the division of Sutekh was marching upon the road. His majesty had formed the first rank of all the leaders of his army, while they were on the shore in the land of the Amor.
The mound of Kadesh (from Koldewey)
J.H.Breasted, Ancient Records of Egypt, Part Three, § 335
Behold, the wretched vanquished chief of Kheta was stationed in the midst of the infantry which was with him, and he came not out to fight, for fear of his majesty. Then he made to go the people of the chariotry, an exceedingly numerous multitude like the sand, being three people to each span [11]. Now, they had made their combinations thus: among every three youths was one man of the vanquished of Kheta, equipped with all the weapons of battle. Lo, they had stationed them in battle array, concealed northwest of the city of Kadesh.
They came forth from the southern side of Kadesh, and they cut through the division of Re in its middle, while they were marching without knowing and without being drawn up for battle. The infantry and chariotry of his majesty retreated before them. Now, his majesty had halted on the north of the city of Kadesh, on the western side of the Orontes. Then came one to tell it to his majesty
His majesty shone like his father Montu, when he took the adornments of war; as he seized his coat of mail, he was like Baal in his hour. The great span which bore his majesty called: "Victory-in-Tebes," from the great stables of Ramses II, was in the midst of the leaders. His majesty halted in the rout; then he charged into the foe, the vanquished of Kheta, being alone by himself and none other with him. When his majesty went to look behind him, he found 2,500 chariotry surrounding him, in his way out, being all the youth of the wretched Kheta, together with its numerous allied countries: from Arvad, from Mesa [12], from Pedes [3], from Keshkesh, from Erwenet, from Kezweden [13], from Aleppo, Eketeri [14], Kadesh, and Luka, being three men to a span, acting in unison.
The gods Abraham has dealings with in the Old Testament includ el Shaddai,(lord of the land or earth) Yahwah,(god of the heaven above or air) el Roi (god of the well or water), and Moloch (god of fire).
Yahwah maks a covenant to give Abraham land from the wadi of Egypt to the Great River. (This raises the question what Great river are we talking about? Possible answers include all the rivers which guard the borders of Egypt, Midian, Moab, Edom, Ammon, Gilead, Basham, Aramea, Phoenicia, Syria, Samaria, and Kadesh.)
Abraham also settles in Canaan, buys land from the Hittite Heth and receives a grant of land from Abimelech (father of moloch)
Keep in mind that for most of the early history of Israel the Egyptians still consider it their province, and that after that there are claims on it by the Hittites, Sea People, Libyians, Greeks, Romans, and Persians.
To further complicate the matter Christians claim the three men were angels and also present as the three wisemen at the birth of the son of god acting as midwives to guard the birth of the mes iah (new born god) but that comes much later on in the story so in the middle ages we confuse things further with the campaigns of the crusades which continued in various form up through the battle of Egypt before entering the more familiar modern era.