Defining The First-Century CE Synagogue: Problems And Progress

Abstract

The basic assumptions of many New Testament scholars about the nature of the synagoge in the first century prior to the First Jewish Revolt continue to match those enunciated by Lee Levine in his introduction to Ancient Synagogues Revealed. The features which he includes in his description are (1) regular prayers; (2) study; (3) sacred meals; (4) repository for communal funds; (5) law courts; (6) general assembly hall; (7) hostel; (8) residence for synagogue officials. Although he refers to Josephus, Acts and Ezra as sources for this historical reconstruction, the primary basis for his assumptions is the familiar Theodotus inscription, found by the French archaeologist Raimond Weill in the course of excavations in the socalled City of David section of the southeastern hill of Jerusalem from November 1913 to March 1914