I'm just curious: During the first century--Did people use an out-house? And what did they use for toilet paper? I could not find any commentary to these questions in my L4 library. As I said, I'm just curious.
Here is a relevant link. No Uncle John's Bathroom Reader's though...
http://www.sewerhistory.org/grfx/wh_region/mideast1.htm
I can't speak for everyone, but in Greece there was a group known as cynics who reportedly would urinate in public (which is why they were called "cynics" from κύων indicating dogs (obviously to be considered deviants). In 1 Sam 25.22, 34; 1 Kg 14.10; 16.11; 21.21 it refers to males as "he who pisseth against the wall." In Qumran each member of the community had a digging stick and would go over a hill out of sight to relieve himself and cover it.
And what did they use for toilet paper?
A search for toilet or privy or latrine in a collection the deals with Bible background will probably be fruitful. There's a few bits in Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Manners and Customs if you have that. Most houses did not have an outhouse. At one point the Talmud also gives the definition of a rich man. "It is anyone who has a toilet near his table". Instead ordinary people had simple chamber pots which would then be carried outside and dumped in certain places. There were also shared public latrines whilst in the city, or holes could be dug when not. The Essenes toilet habits are described by Josephus.
Nay, on the other days they dig a small pit, a foot deep, with a paddle (which kind of hatchet is given them when they are first admitted among them); and covering themselves round with their garment, that they may not affront the divine rays of light, they ease themselves into that pit, after which they put the earth that was dug out again into the pit; and even this they do only in the more lonely places, which they choose out for this purpose; and although this easement of the body be natural, yet it is a rule with them to wash themselves after it, as if it were a defilement to them.
As for toilet paper, discussion in the talmud reveals that stones were used. The heading in the English translation I have in Logos is "UTILIZATION OF STONES TO CLEAN UP AFTER DEFECATING", which makes absolutely fascinating reading, but because of the language used in the translation, I probably ought not to share here. I will say that one of the gems of advice is not to use a brittle stone!
Interesting thread....I had wondered about this a while back...this time; there were better links provided A search for Cynics in my library turned up a lot of good info....
Dear Mark, I could not find in any of my Bible translations "utilization of stones to clean up after defecating." Also, I do not have Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Manners and Customs." Any more advice?
P.S. I always appreciate you as a L4 MVP
Dear Mark, I could not find in any of my Bible translations "utilization of stones to clean up after defecating." Also, I do not have Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Manners and Customs." Any more advice? P.S. I always appreciate you as a L4 MVP
The link Mark referred to that discusses the utilization of stones is from the Babylonian Talmud
I could not find in any of my Bible translations "utilization of stones to clean up after defecating."
This was in the Babylonian Talmud, not a Bible.
Any more advice?
The search I mentioned earlier should help if you have a collection of books useful on Bible Background. You can build a Bible Background collection using the string (title:(manner,custom,background,archaeolog, archeolog) OR subject:(manner,custom,"New Testament—Background","Jews", "Judaism", antiquities, "christianity--origin", historiography, palestine, qumran, rabinnic*, talmud) OR (subject:(excavation,archaeolog,archeolog, antiquities) AND type:dictionary)) ANDNOT subject:(canon,doctrine,"Jews—Conversion", "Hebrew Language")
Deuteronomy 23:12-13 is worth reading for OT non-city life.
Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Manners and Customs
Here's a quote:
"Normally there were no toilets in the houses; human excrement was disposed of in nearby waste ground. Sewage and animal manure commonly littered the streets of towns. Conditions in houses or in town usually were anything but sanitary" (this refers to roughly the time of King David)
The link Mark posted was for this article from: Neusner, Jacob. The Babylonian Talmud: A Translation and Commentary. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 2011.
Thanks to all of you. If you find any more information, lay it on me.
I asked where the toilet was in an Arab village in Israel 40 odd years ago. The family were embarrassed at my question. Eventually they direected me to the field behind the house. I said: "Big toilet!" and we all laughed.
In Albania they used to clean themselves with water, sometimes with soap. I always carry a small piece of soap and a flannel for use as a towel when staying in villages where they don't have modern amenities. This is cheating somewhat, but no one is looking!
I asked where the toilet was in an Arab village in Israel 40 odd years ago. The family were embarrassed at my question. Eventually they direected me to the field behind the house. I said: "Big toilet!" and we all laughed. In Albania they used to clean themselves with water, sometimes with soap. I always carry a small piece of soap and a flannel for use as a towel when staying in villages where they don't have modern amenities. This is cheating somewhat, but no one is looking!
It is best not to rely on what you hear from Arab villagers in Israel nowadays. Many of them were not even there 200 years ago. It depends on the specific family and its provenance. It is best to rely on Dalman. Arbeit und Sitte in Palaestina.
It is certain that there were toilets in Ancient Israel. They were excavated in the city of David. As for the 1st century from the emphatic prohibition in the temple scroll we can infer that the Qumran sect was reacting against a common practice in society to include toilets inside the city. The Mishna probably reveals that there were toilets inside the second temple.
PS Thank you for leading the discussion in the forum to tranquil waters.
Didn't they just stop at McDonalds? [:D]
Well, it appears they used stones, not paper. As for outhouses, that excerpt from the Talmud also seems to speak to where to go and/or dig a pit.
Maybe that's why David picked up 5 smooth stones - one to kill Goliath and four to save for other uses.
Thanks for the laugh Eric.
