Timothy Jay Schwab of The God Culture proves time and again that he reads this blog by responding to it in his videos. Recently he responded to my critique of his Sourcebook not by amending the text and correcting its errors but by rebutting my comments about Sinai being on an old map of Luzon. In this article I do not want to respond to him point-by-point but I do want to interact with his video "Sinai Philippines? 1775 Map Tells the Story. Solomon's Gold Series. 100 Clues Philippines is Ophir."
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| https://youtu.be/uXjanwV8i6E |
Before Magellan discovered the Philippines in 1521, the locality was only a small village of little over a hundred natives who were called "Tirongs."Small battles were daily occurrence so that in the year 1535, when the locality was organized and established as a “Pueblo” Salcedo named the new community as “SIN-NAIT”, a word in the local tongue which means “CONTEST”.
The first clue that this story is wrong is that the Spanish were not in the Philippines in 1535. They came here in 1521 and returned in 1565. The story could be true if the dates were adjusted but as it is the story is wrong. This story is repeated on several webpages even the official Sinait municipality website.
The second clue is that the people are referred to as Tirongs. In Visayan a Tirong is an Ogre! At least according to Wiktionary.
- An ogre-like creature in Visayan folklore.
- man who pretends or acts like a bully
Viewing the history of the Wikipedia page for Sinait shines a little more light on this subject. In August 2007 the page had this:
The place now called Sinait was once the base of pirates known locally as "tirong." These seafaring people had wrestling games known as "sin-nait." Dropping one of the 'n's, it became the name of the municipality.
https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sinait&diff=150975984&oldid=150975908
It was not until January 2011 when the story about Salcedo appears. In December 2011 the reference to Tirongs as pirates was deleted.
One website claims "tirong" does mean pirate.
A pirate with a braid of hair at the back of the head.possibly of Chinese origin, who raided the northern Philippine Islands prior to 1860; the hair queue was believed to be a tail; Spa. 'theft'
https://sil-philippines-languages.org/online/ivb/dict/lexicon/lx05323.html
Whether pirates or ogres this reference to the people as Tirongs is very suspect. It appears there are no Tirong people. But apparently Tim did not pick up on those two facts about 1535 and Tirongs. His critique is wholly superficial and focuses on Filipinos made out to be primitive caricatures who cannot speak their own language. It is a legitimate critique but it does not get to the heart of the matter. This is also a good reason why Wikipedia is not a wholly reliable source. It serves as a quick reference and jumping off point to more information but its not an authoritative source that should be used especially in a book that is supposed to be a "monumental case no one can disprove."
Just why this place is named Sinait and why there are three places on a map originally drawn up in 1775 named Sinai is not clear. Sinai does not show up on previous maps of Luzon.
1724:
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https://www.raremaps.com/gallery/detail/64606/philippine-islands-lucon-of-luconia-valentijn |
1748:
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| https://www.raremaps.com/gallery/detail/62972/a-chart-of-the-channel-in-the-phillippine-islands-through-wh-anson-seale |
1752:
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| https://www.raremaps.com/gallery/detail/56979/carte-des-isles-philippines-dressee-sur-la-carte-espagnole-bellin |
The last map predates the map with the place-names of Sinai by only 23 years. Why neither it nor any other map contains those place names is a mystery I am not going to solve here. However, if the place-name Sinai had anything to do with ancient residual Hebrew in the Philippines then it is rather strange the name does not appear. Of course the claim that there is ancient residual Hebrew in the Philippines is highly illogical and the product of Tim's overwrought imagination as I have proved elsewhere.
Let's look at the second item to interact with and that is Abraham Farissol's location of the lost tribes. To prove the three locations named Sinai on this map are proof of ancient residual Hebrew in the Philippines Tim cites Farissol as writing that the lost tribes made their way to the Philippines. As before Tim does not quote Farissol directly. Instead he cites a hostile witness, Rev. Thomas Stackhouse, who says Farissol is writing Jewish fables. It is a point of fact that Farissol's book, Iggeret Orhot Olam, was published in 1524 and thus cannot mention the Philippines by name as it did not exist under that name at that time. Nor can it describe those islands because they were unknown to the West and Pigafetta's account was not even published until 1524, the same year Farissol published his book. Pigafetta does not describe anything like lost tribes being in the Philippines. Instead we are greeted with this description of the people:
These people live in liberty and according to their will, for they have no lord or superior; they go quite naked, and some of them wear beards, and have their hair down to the waist. They wear small hats, after the fashion of the Albanians; these hats are made of palm leaves.
The women also go naked, except that they cover their nature with a thin bark, pliable like paper
These facts do not deter Tim as he continues to use Rev. Stackhouse's interpretation of Farissol to prove his claim that the lost tribes came to the Philippines. He even says they landed at the La Paz sand dunes which is, according to him, the desert of Chabor which Farissol mentions.
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| https://youtu.be/jX9VZ8LHfUA |
Others he places in the desert of Chabor, which, according to him, lies upon the Indian sea, where they live, in the manner of the ancient Rechabites, without houses, sowing, or the use of wine, Nay, he enters the Indies, the isles of Bengala, the Philippines, and several other places....
He goes on to say that when they landed on the dunes they did not find any gold which is why they named the place "La Paz." In Hebrew "la paz" means "no gold."
20:43 Oh, and would you look. La Paz is two Hebrew words. If you are headed to ancient Ophir what is the first thing you expect to see when you come from Israel originally? That's right, Gold! But there was no gold in the desert was there? And thus in Hebrew La Paz means no gold
It really cannot be stressed enough that citing books secondhand from hostile witnesses is a very bad idea. Does Farissol locate the Desert of Chabor on the Indian Sea? No he does not. He says it is in Asia Major and if you follow his directions it is nowhere near the Indian Sea. The La Paz sand dunes are not on the Indian Sea either which is another indicator Tim is not paying attention to his sources. This is all laid out in chapter 14 of Farissol's book Iggeret Orhot Olam of which I have found an English translation. It was published in 3 parts over the course of 3 issues of The Occident and Jewish American Advocate in 1849.
In this chapter Farissol relates the visit of a member of the lost tribes to Rome. He came to Rome from the Desert of Chabor by way of Arabia Felix and Egypt. He locates one of the tribes in this desert and the rest near Mecca. That is nowhere near the Philippines. The magazine has extensive footnotes which are worth reading. Here is the chapter.
Of a Jew from the Ten Tribes; his mission, and journey from the Desert of Chabor, according to the relation of the historians; his arrival in Egypt from the Deserts of Asia and Arabia Felix, in the year 5283, A. M.
One of the chief advantages of this treatise, which I, Abraham Peritsol, have compiled for the instruction of such as are unacquainted with the science of cosmography, will be found, in that I have determined to devote this chapter to a relation of the journeyings of a Jew of the tribes, or of Judah, called David ben Shelomoh, “Captain of the host of Israel,” who came to this our country of Italy, where we ourselves have seen him. He came, according to his own assertions, from the Desert of Chabor. Those who read concerning him, will find that which will delight their souls, and those who have a desire (to learn something relative to the ten tribes of Israel), will receive this account with much satisfaction; for I will not err in narrating what I have received from honourable men, and seen in the writings of creditable persons. He who alone is true, knows my veracity, and that I am a person who gives but little credence to vanities.
This was in the two hundred and eighty-third year of the sixth millennium, when we received, through a Venetian vessel a communication from the Land of Beauty, written in the Hebrew language, informing us that a certain Jew, from the tribes of Israel, had arrived there, declaring many novel things concerning them. The details however, were not made public, until , after having crossed the sea in the two hundred and eighty-fourth year of the sixth millennium, he arrived at Venice, and thence proceeded to Rome, where he was favourably received by all those who became acquainted with the object of his journey and the nature of his mission.
As understood from his own assertions, this Jew was from the company of the two tribes, and he farther said that he was an inhabitant of those deserts, and, like the Rechabites, dwell in tents, and that his station was in the Desert of Chabor, which is in Asia Major. Beneath them were the rest of the ten tribes, near to the deserts adjoining Mecca and Gjudda, which are adjacent to the Red Sea. They have each and all of them their chiefs and princes, and the people are as the sand of the seashore for numbers. They raise spices, pepper in particular, as also medical drugs ; and, indeed, they possess many excellent things, as we shall show hereafter. Living between these two sections of the Jewish people, however, there is a strong and mighty people who are followers of Mahomet. These, with their numerous kings, render a communication among the Jews exceedingly dangerous, and they will not permit one party to approach the other.
Many years had they been thus widely separated, endeavouring to approach each other, but finding it impossible to do so, when they were apprised of the arrival of some Christian ships of very large and mighty proportions. They also heard, and, indeed, saw, that the Christians had in their hands certain hollow metal instruments of war designed to throw stones by means of fire, and which could destroy any fortress or village. Whereupon, the Jews of Mount Chabor, according to his statement, determined upon sending him to the great king of all the Christians, with the credentials then in his possession, as before stated, in order to authenticate his assertions. These credentials were confirmed by the king of Portugal who then navigated the regions of the Hodiyim (or Indies), and who knew of the existence of a Jewish community there. He also wrote to the Pope, (whose glory be exalted,) that the above mentioned Jew was worthy of credit, as were also his declarations. But be this Jew what he may, and be his words true or false, it is sufficient for us, in our captivity and in our dispersions (to know), that the existence of the ten tribes was acknowledged by kings, by princes, and by many influential persons in Rome—that Ephraim existed, even then—a numerous people with their rulers; be this Jew, who came to us, who and what he may.
Since the existence of these Israelites and their kings has been thus acknowledged; we may be permitted to state, that this Jew came by the way and in the manner following : From the desert of Chabor he journeyed with a caravan, which is the usual mode of travelling in these places. This was heard from his own lips and so recorded. Passing through Arabia Felix, he arrived at the Red Sea descended into Egypt, thence journeyed to the Holy Land, where he awaited the arrival of a ship from Venice, by which he might proceed to Italy. He reached Rome, and resided there about eight months, until the reply of the king of Portugal had been received,which authenticated his mission.
The Occident and Jewish American Advocate, June 1849, pgs. 129-134
It is averred by historians, as also by some most honourable Israelites, who spake with him, that R. David did undoubtedly petition the Pope that there should be given to him metal instruments of war for projecting missiles, and also expert workmen to forward them to Arabia Felix, so that they might thereby be enabled to overcome their enemies, as above stated; and that R. David, for his part, promised to the Pope many advantages, and that arrangements should be made for his rule in some of these places where are tellers of collections, and where grew spices and many medical drugs. This was in order that the Jews there might assemble and unite themselves, and even pass over, subdue, and inherit the Holy Land, which is an everlasting inheritance to Israel. Now all this I have seen in authentic writings, and heard from honourable persons and men of veracity. God, the Eternal, is the perfection of all truth; He lieth not, neither doth He deal deceitfully; and those who trust in Him shall not be put to shame, for truth proceedeth from Him, and He will ever act in accordance with this his attribute.
At the present period, (being the year 285 of the sixth millennium, and the month Marchesvan,) we have heard certain persons affirm that this Pope Clement, King of the Gentiles, did determine, and so decree, that R. David should be sent honourably away, in a spacious ship, laden with instruments of war, and accompanied by divers artisans both Jewish and Christian. He was to go by way of Portugal, the king of which country was to show still farther kindness to him, by issuing such orders as should secure to him honourable treatment, respect, and the fulfillment of his wishes from every Christian nation (having friendly intercourse with the King of Portugal) through whose territory he might pass. Now as to all these things, whichever way they be, so (in the end) will they be established.
As for me, I do but propose to set down the way in which, according to my opinion, he might travel with the greatest safety, supposing that historians have correctly affirmed in respect to his going to Portugal. From Portugal, then, they might proceed by sea, rounding the continent of Fes, and leaving to seaward, on their right, the Insulae Fortunatae (now called Hispaniola) ; then extending their journey by Cape Verde, on land , they might proceed along Africa to their left, then (south) eastwardly to the great promontory called Cabo de Boa Esperanca, passing the Barbary Gulf to find the straits of the Red Sea ; and then, by land, to arrive at the desert of Chabor, wherever it be, and so proceed to the place of his destination,—all of which novel route we shall hereafter dwell upon more at length.
The appearance of this Jew, according to what was heard concerning him, may be thus described. He was of short stature, spare in flesh, but of very strong heart, (i. e. spirited and bold) ; he was constantly at his devotions, and afflicted himself with numerous fastings. - Indeed, it is said by some writers, that he once continued six consecutive days without tasting food of any description. He conversed chiefly in the sacred tongue, but occasionally he could not be clearly understood, as though he had some impediment in his speech. Many honourable persons, and even cardinals, went to visit him in Rome, but he would not receive them. He rode through Rome on a mule, to see the novelties of the city, and entered, on this mule, the great church of St. Peter's, i. e. as far as the great altar , not choosing to alight from the said mule. There were about ten Jews, and more than two hundred Christians running before him. The Eternal will yet declare favourably concerning Israel.
The Occident and Jewish American Advocate, July 1849, pgs. 209-211
The above story and descriptions do not conform to anything Tim says. In this story the Desert of Chabor is most certainly not the La Paz sand dunes. It is a location somewhere in the Arabian peninsula not far from Mecca it would seem. According to Farissol the lost tribes are mostly located in this area and not elsewhere, especially not the Philippines.
To solidify this position to the utmost I wrote to Professor Fabrizio Lelli who has studied Farissol for a good part of his life. In August 2020 he even offered an online mini course about Farissol's life and work. You can watch his Youtube lecture about Farissol here. So much for Farissol being "lost to history" as Tim claims. I asked the professor if Farissol mentions the Philippines as a location for the lost tribes. Here is his response.
Dear David (I hope I may),
Farissol doesn't mention the Philippines. Mentions of the lost tribes appear throughout the book (e.g., in chapter 14th, 24th, 25th etc.). There is a 17th-century Latin version of Farissol's treatise (which you can find on the internet by googling "Farissol + Itinera mundi + Oxford" and the only excerpts available in English, to my knowledge, are contained in David B. Ruderman, The World of a Renaissance Jew: The Life and Thought of Abraham ben Mordecai Farissol, Cincinnati, Hebrew Union College Press, 1981.Should you need more info, do not hesitate to write.
All the very best,Fabrizio Lelli
Realizing how vague this answer is I followed up by asking if Farissol mentions any islands in the east or any place whatsoever that could possibly be interpreted as the Philippines. Here is his reply:
I remember that Farissol mentions the Canary islands, and refers to the Portoguese conquest of other islands in the Atlantic Ocean; following previous traditions, he locates the lost tribes in both Africa (Ethiopia) and India (in the Middle Ages they thought the Indian Ocean was smaller), but I don't have memory of any reference to the Philippines. I should first and foremost rapidly go through Farissol's text, but I'm pretty much sure that he doesn't mention the Philippines.
I'll try to check this.All best,Fabrizio Lelli
Lest Tim roll his eyes and say, "No kidding he did not name the Philippines by name, that's a wrong paradigm!," I challenge him to go to the text and read through it. Show us in what chapter Farissol could possibly locate the Lost Tribes in the Philippines. Stop using Stackhouse and actually use Farissol. The onus is comepletely on his shoulders. That the Sambayton River, which Farissol does mention, sounds like a Filipino word is not a valid proof. We are looking for solid proof from his text and phonetic similarities between words do not offer such proof. This river also does not exist which makes Tim's discussion of it on pages 207-210 of "The Search for King Solomon's Treasure" where he attempts to prove it is actually the Pison River and is located in the Philippines as an undersea ocean trench pretty stupid.
Let's put an end to this nonsense now. If Tim wants to posit that the lost tribes made it to the Philippines he absolutely cannot use Farissol. For one he does not locate the lost tribes in the Philippines as Rev. Stackhouse claims. That makes the following section dealing with Farissol on page 128 of "The Search for King Solomon's Treasure," a total lie.
Italian Jewish scholar, R. Abraham Peristol, (Farissol, 1451-1526), believed the same as Behaim and Columbus. His writings are preserved in the 1846 work of Rev. Thomas Stackhouse and the Jew's do not like Farrisol's conclusions as they hid Ophir and the Lost Tribes pretty well and continue to obscure.
Another Jewish author, in his description of the world, has found out very commodious habitations for the ten tribes, and in many places has given them a glorious establishment. In a country he calls Perricha, enclosed by mountains, and bounded by Assyria, he has settled some, and made them a flourishing peoples kingdom. Others he places in the desert of Chabor, which, according to him, lies upon the Indian sea, where they live, in the manner of the ancient Rechabites, without houses, sowing, or the use of wine, Nay, he enters the Indies, the isles of Bengala, the Philippines, and several other places..." -The Rev. Thomas Stackhouse, M.A. (1846) Quoting Farissol (1500)
In fully researching this topic, you will find the isles of Bengala may relate to the Visayas and he spells out the Philippines very specifically of course the name is modernized to the time of Stackhouse as Philippines. In fact there is only one desert in the Philippines which is the Paoay-LaPaz Sand Dunes in Laoag on Luzon and that in "a further country, where never mankind dwelt." He is describing different landing sites based on what he had learned but Farissol never travelled there and did not know the exact geography of the area already proven in 1500 but they were getting warmer until Magellan found it.
"The Search for King Solomon's Treasure," pg. 128
Secondly Farissol does not support any of Tim's conclusions. He contradicts them at every point. He even says in chapter 30 that the Garden of Eden is in Africa in the legendary Mountains of the Moon which is the source of the Nile! That I was able to find this translation and Tim was not is a testament to how poor a researcher he and his alleged team really are. And there is more than just this translation when it comes to Farissol. Pages 496-498 of "The History of the Hebrew Commonwealth," discusses Abraham Farissol as well as various locations of the Lost Tribes at length. This is not the first time I have dug up an English translation of a text Tim has not read yet uses to prove his case. He has had five years and I found it within one day of beginning this article.
