1) Along what waterway did Abraham begin his migration away from his native city?

2)how did Canaan's location make it a true crossroad of the eastern Mediterranean?

What does the last is commandments have in common that nguishes them from the four others

1) Abraham began his migration away from his native city along the waterway known as the Euphrates River.

2) Canaan's location made it a true crossroad of the eastern Mediterranean due to its strategic position between major civilizations and trade routes. Canaan was situated at the crossroads of three continents, namely Africa, Asia, and Europe. This made it an important center for trade and cultural exchange between different regions. Additionally, Canaan's location along the eastern Mediterranean coastline allowed for easy access to maritime trade routes, further enhancing its significance as a crossroad for trade and commerce.

1) To find the answer to the first question about Abraham's migration, we can refer to religious texts, particularly the Bible. Abraham is an important figure in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, so looking into their respective holy books can provide insights. In this case, we can turn to the Book of Genesis in the Old Testament of the Bible.

In Genesis 12:1-5, it is mentioned that Abraham, originally called Abram, was told by God to leave his native city and go to a land that God would show him. Abram obeyed and set out on his journey, eventually reaching a place called Canaan. While the exact waterway is not explicitly mentioned, some scholars believe that Abram's migration may have been along the Euphrates River, which was an important waterway and trade route in ancient times. However, it's worth noting that the Bible does not provide specific details.

2) To understand how Canaan's location made it a true crossroad of the eastern Mediterranean, we can examine its geographical position and historical context.

Canaan was situated in the eastern Mediterranean region, encompassing parts of modern-day Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, and Jordan. It was located between major empires and was at an intersection of trade routes, allowing for the exchange of goods, ideas, and cultures.

To explore Canaan's significance as a crossroad, we can consider the following factors:

a) Geographical location: Canaan was positioned along the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, making it accessible to various maritime traders and civilizations. It was also adjacent to major land routes connecting Africa, Asia, and Europe.

b) Trade routes: Canaan was strategically located along important trade routes, including the Via Maris (the Way of the Sea), which connected Egypt in the south to Mesopotamia and Asia Minor in the north. This route facilitated trade and cultural exchange between different civilizations.

c) Cultural exchange: The diverse geography of Canaan, with its coastal plains, hills, and inland valleys, attracted settlers from different regions. This led to a blending of various cultures, languages, and traditions, making Canaan a melting pot of the eastern Mediterranean.

d) Conquest and influence: Throughout history, Canaan was conquered and influenced by various civilizations, including the Egyptians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, and Romans. Each of these conquerors left their mark on the region, contributing to its cultural and historical significance.

In summary, Canaan's location along the eastern Mediterranean, its position along major trade routes, and its history of cultural exchange and conquests made it a true crossroad of the region.

For #1 ~

http://www.israel-a-history-of.com/images/AbrahamFromUrToCanaan.jpg
and
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fe/Karte_Mesopotamien.png&imgrefurl=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesopotamia&h=795&w=1126&sz=958&tbnid=-LYe3de-A5AzRM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=127&zoom=1&usg=__pNrXT8CQT_KO-pDfuYuNKVHnA68=&docid=nBlMh6Dyr3neFM&sa=X&ei=xeliUoCxPMPz2QWcnoHwCw&sqi=2&ved=0CEIQ9QEwBA

For #2 ~
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/globalconnections/mideast/themes/geography/