Bible Archeology Discoveries

First Temple Stone Seal
Discovered: Jerusalem (City of David)
From: (c. 8th century BC)
Current Home: Jerusalem

Archaeologists in the City of David National Park discovered a rare stone seal from the first temple period – one of the oldest finds since the start of excavations in the country, affirming the biblical role of Jerusalem 2,700 years ago. The seal is made of black stone, and is one of the most beautiful ever discovered in excavations in ancient Jerusalem.

The seal has a figure of a winged man created in a distinct Neo-Assyrian style that is unique in the glyphic styles of the late First Temple period, demonstrating the influence of the Assyrian Empire. On both sides of the figure an inscription is engraved in paleo-Hebrew script – "LeYehoʼezer ben Hoshʼayahu." This name, Yehoʼezer, is familiar to us from the Bible (Chron. I 12:7) in its abbreviated form – Yoʼezer, one of King David's fighters. Also, in the book of Jeremiah (43:2), a person is mentioned with a parallel name, ʼAzariah ben Hoshʼaya. Ze'ev Orenstein, director of International Affairs for the City of David Foundation, stated, "This singular find joins the list of countless archeological discoveries in the City of David - the historic site of Biblical Jerusalem - affirming Jerusalem's Biblical heritage. It similarly serves as yet another affirmation of the thousands-of-year-old bond rooting the Jewish people in Jerusalem - not simply as a matter of faith, but as a matter of fact."

Figures of winged demons are known in the Neo-Assyrian art of the 9th-7th Centuries BC, and were considered a kind of protective demon. Researchers believe the object was worn as an amulet around the neck of a man who held a senior position in the Kingdom of Judah’s administration. The figures on it are reversed, indicating that it would have been used as a seal to mark items with the owner's name.

Elkanah, and Isshiah, and Azarel, and Joezer, and Jashobeam, the Korahites,
and Joelah, and Zebadiah, the sons of Jeroham of Gedor.
And of the Gadites there separated themselves unto David to the stronghold in the wilderness, mighty men of valor, men trained for war, that could handle shield and spear; whose faces were like the faces of lions, and they were as swift as the roes upon the mountains;
1 Chronicles 12:6-8

Select Pages

- page 17 of 71 -

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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