Among the ethnic and nationalist movements that have made news lately has been a vote for independence by Iraqi Kurds. Actually, the Kurds are in Turkey and Iran too. All three countries strongly oppose Kurdish independence. But Israel gives the Kurds sympathy and support.
There is a bridge between current events and ancient history. The Jews and the Kurds seem to be relatives. Here is a link to an article by Kevin Alan Brook about genetic tests that show a tie between Jews and Iraqi Kurds.
Why would modern Jews have genetic ties to Kurdish Muslims? There were ties between Israel and the Kurdish area at about the time of the New Testament. The region of Erbil (also spelled Arbil or Irbil) Iraq was then called Adiabene and was associated with the Parthian Empire.
Here is part of Brook’s article:
In ancient times, the royal house of Adiabene and some of the common people of Adiabene converted to Judaism. The capital city of Adiabene was Arbela (known today by Arabs as Irbil and by Kurds as Hawler). King Izates became closely attached to his new faith, and sent his sons to study Hebrew and Jewish customs in Jerusalem. His successor to the throne was his brother Monobazos II, who also adopted Judaism.
Some question how this could have had anything to do with the genetic connection.
I don’t know about that. But that kings and some other Gentiles from the area were Jewish proselytes stands out because of when it happened. Specifically, this happened in the first half of the first century CE.
Not only did former Zoroastrians from the area convert to Judaism, but there were enough Jews there that a rabbinic academy was established. One can imagine that Jews who did not want to live under Roman rule might have migrated east. Also there had continued to be Jews in the Persian world even after the time of Ezra and the return of many Jews from exile.
Josephus (see here) tells how one Ananias, a Jewish merchant, attracted the young prince, Izates, to Judaism. His mother, Queen Helena of Adiabene and the women of her court had already converted to Judaism. When Izates wanted to convert the issue of circumcision came up. His mother did not want him to have the operation. Ananias sided with her and argued that God would honor the intention of his heart even without physical circumcision. But another teacher, Eleazar, who was a Zealot from Galilee, supported Izates, who accepted circumcision with enthusiasm.
Queen Helena moved to Jerusalem, built palaces there and made contributions to the Temple. During a famine–probably the one that Acts 11:27-30 refers to–she purchased food for the people of Jerusalem. Adiabene provided support for Israel during their rebellion against Rome.
I know this is tenuous, but someone named Ananias was traveling around in the eastern diaspora converting Gentiles and taking a lenient view of their need for circumcision. And someone named Ananias mentored Paul when he was newly called in Damascus (Acts 9:10 ff.). There is nothing chronological or geographical that makes it impossible for them to have been the same person.
theoutwardquest 
Reblogged this on James' Ramblings.