Thank you, SA.
In following up your more earlier Post, I found this:
https://madainproject.com/mount_gerizim :
""The Place where Abraham offered Isaac, according to the tradition of the Samaritans, is a little rock-sunk trench at the southeast corner of the plateau, on the summit of Gerizim. It resembles the trough used for the Passover feast, and measures about 8 feet by 5 feet. A semicircular flight of seven steps (
traditionally called the Seven Steps of Adam out of Paradise) leads down in this direction from the west". --- The Palestine Exploration Fund report of 1872 and 1875 provided a description of the altar (SWP Vol 2 p 188)..."
Not 2 x 4 in the face level of proof but interesting.
My reasons for interest in this is Jannaeus:
Josephus, Antiquities..., 13, 14, 1 and 2 (in part):
"1. SO
Demetrius came with an army, and took those that invited him, and
pitched his camp near the city Shechem; upon which Alexander, with his six thousand two hundred mercenaries, and about twenty thousand Jews, who were of his party, went against Demetrius, who had three thousand horsemen, and forty thousand footmen. Now there were great endeavors used on both sides, - Demetrius trying to bring off the mercenaries that were with Alexander, because they were Greeks, and Alexander trying to bring off the Jews that were with Demetrius. However, when neither of them could persuade them so to do, they came to a battle, and Demetrius was the conqueror; in which all Alexander's mercenaries were killed, when they had given demonstration of their fidelity and courage. A great number of Demetrius's soldiers were slain also.
2. Now as Alexander fled to the mountains, six thousand of the
Jews hereupon came together [from Demetrius] to him out of pity at the change of his fortune; upon which Demetrius was afraid, and retired out of the country; after which the Jews fought against Alexander, and being beaten, were slain in great numbers in the several battles which they had..."
Matthew 10: 5 - 7 (RSV):
[5] These twelve Jesus sent out, charging them, "Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans,
[6] but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
[7] And preach as you go, saying, `The kingdom of heaven is at hand.'
Moffatt leaves out "...and enter no town of the Samaritans":
[5] These twelve men Jesus despatched with the following instructions. "Do not go among the Gentiles,
[6] rather make your way to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
[7] preach as you, tell men, 'The Reign of Heaven is near.' "
Josephus is leaving out important information. Shechem is near the Temple at Gerizim. This would imply that Demetrius Eucerus defeats Jannaeus in a battle at or near Gerizim and I truly believe that after this, Demetrius Eucerus performs the Abomination of Desolation. Let the reader understand.
I had thought that Jannaeus was attempting to rebuild a Greater Israel and that has not changed. Now, it appears that there was even more to the Story. Demetrius Eucerus sacrifices a pig on the Altar (or somehow otherwise Profanes the Temple site at Gerizim...) and it is too much for the Jewish Mercenaries to take. They desert Demetrius and he leaves the area.
The description of the Jewish Mercs leaving Demetrius is WAAAY over the top, to the point of being outrageous. If, however, there was also another History, a History of a Paradise, it would make sense. Jannaeus wants to recapture the Israelite History.
Thank you, SA.
CW