## 5 Weird and Unknown Facts from Biblical Days
The Bible is filled with stories of miracles, battles, and legendary figures, but there are also some lesser-known, downright bizarre facts that will leave you scratching your head. Here are five weird and unknown facts from biblical days:
### 1. **The Ordeal of Bitter Water: A Test for Adultery**
In Numbers 5:11-31, there's a ritual where a priest would make a woman suspected of adultery drink "bitter water" to test her guilt. The water was mixed with dust from the tabernacle floor and the name of God written on a parchment that was then dissolved in the water. If she was guilty, her belly would swell and she would become a curse among her people. If she was innocent, she would be unharmed and able to conceive.
### 2. **The Festival of Foreskins: A Circumcision Celebration**
In 1 Samuel 18:25-27, King Saul demands that David bring him 100 Philistine foreskins as a dowry to marry his daughter Michal. David not only fulfills this gruesome request but exceeds it, bringing back 200 foreskins. This story highlights a practice where circumcision was a significant act, even in warfare, as a trophy or proof of conquest.
### 3. **The Bronze Serpent: A Symbol of Healing**
In Numbers 21:4-9, Moses creates a bronze serpent on a pole to heal the Israelites from snake bites. Anyone who looked at the serpent would be healed. This artifact became a symbol of healing and was later worshiped as an idol, leading King Hezekiah to destroy it in 2 Kings 18:4.
### 4. **The Law of the Levirate: Marrying Your Brother's Widow**
In Deuteronomy 25:4-6, there's a law stating that if a man dies without a son, his brother must marry the widow and have children with her. The first son she bears then carries on the deceased's name. This practice, known as levirate marriage, was meant to ensure family lines and inheritances remained within the family.
### 5. **The Curse of Annihilation: Cities Devoted to Destruction**
In the biblical account of the conquest of Canaan, certain cities were "devoted" to destruction, meaning everything and everyone in them was supposed to be completely annihilated as an offering to God (Deuteronomy 20:16-18, Joshua 10:28-40). This included not just the inhabitants but also animals and possessions, reflecting a practice of total war and religious cleansing.
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Uncovers bizarre, unknown historical facts your ancestors never told you.Open## 5 Weird and Unknown Facts from Biblical Days The Bible is filled with stories of miracles, battles, and legendary figures, but there are also some lesser-known, downright bizarre facts that will leave you scratching your head. Here are five weird and unknown facts from biblical days: ### 1. **The Ordeal of Bitter Water: A Test for Adultery** In Numbers 5:11-31, there's a ritual where a priest would make a woman suspected of adultery drink "bitter water" to test her guilt. The water was mixed with dust from the tabernacle floor and the name of God written on a parchment that was then dissolved in the water. If she was guilty, her belly would swell and she would become a curse among her people. If she was innocent, she would be unharmed and able to conceive. ### 2. **The Festival of Foreskins: A Circumcision Celebration** In 1 Samuel 18:25-27, King Saul demands that David bring him 100 Philistine foreskins as a dowry to marry his daughter Michal. David not only fulfills this gruesome request but exceeds it, bringing back 200 foreskins. This story highlights a practice where circumcision was a significant act, even in warfare, as a trophy or proof of conquest. ### 3. **The Bronze Serpent: A Symbol of Healing** In Numbers 21:4-9, Moses creates a bronze serpent on a pole to heal the Israelites from snake bites. Anyone who looked at the serpent would be healed. This artifact became a symbol of healing and was later worshiped as an idol, leading King Hezekiah to destroy it in 2 Kings 18:4. ### 4. **The Law of the Levirate: Marrying Your Brother's Widow** In Deuteronomy 25:4-6, there's a law stating that if a man dies without a son, his brother must marry the widow and have children with her. The first son she bears then carries on the deceased's name. This practice, known as levirate marriage, was meant to ensure family lines and inheritances remained within the family. ### 5. **The Curse of Annihilation: Cities Devoted to Destruction** In the biblical account of the conquest of Canaan, certain cities were "devoted" to destruction, meaning everything and everyone in them was supposed to be completely annihilated as an offering to God (Deuteronomy 20:16-18, Joshua 10:28-40). This included not just the inhabitants but also animals and possessions, reflecting a practice of total war and religious cleansing.
