Bible Archeology Discoveries

Dream Stele
Discovered: Giza, Egypt
From: (c. 1401 BC)

The Dream Stele, also called the Sphinx Stele, is an epigraphic stele erected between the front paws of the Great Sphinx of Giza by the ancient Egyptian pharaoh Thutmose IV in the first year of the king's reign, 1401 BC, (18th Dynasty). As was common with other New Kingdom rulers, the epigraph makes claim to a divine legitimisation of kingship.It is thought that the stele was erected by Pharaoh Thutmose IV, who, as a younger prince, had not expected to become Pharaoh. The death of his first-born, older brother led to his ascension to the throne, causing some historians to wonder if he had killed his older brother in order to take over.

Growing ascholarship now suggests that Thutmose's father, Amenhotep II, may have been the Pharaoh of the Exodus. Had he been this ruler, it would be expected that his first-born son would have fallen victim to the tenth plague described in the Book of Exodus. Consequently, bible scholars propose that the stele was constructed to bolster the positon of Thutmose IV as legitimate heir by suggesting he had the support of the Sphinx and other Gods.

"And Moses said, Thus saith Jehovah, About midnight will I go out into the midst of Egypt:
and all the first-born in the land of Egypt shall die, from the first-born of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even unto the first-born of the maid-servant that is behind the mill; and all the first-born of cattle.
And there shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there hath not been, nor shall be any more."
Exodus 11:4-5

Select Pages

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Notable Finds

Much of what is described in Bible text is lost to history, requiring readers to assume the historicity of the scriptures.

However, many of the places and events described in the Old and New Testaments are periodically corroborated by archeological finds.

Some finds simply help us to better understand things from the ancient world. However, others provide important evidence as to the truth of scripture regarding things about which there had previously been skepticism.

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