Bible Archeology Discoveries

Shema Servant of Jeroboam Seal
Discovered: Megiddo, Israel (1904)
From: (c. 770 BC)
Current Home: Rockefeller Museum

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The 1904 discovery of the seal of ‘Shema, servant of Jeroboam’ is the most magnificent seal among the Hebrew seals known to date. The jasper stone seal was unperforated and was apparently set in a metal frame attached to a ring.

The seal was discovered in the general area of the southern gatehouse at Megiddo. Nowadays it is commonly accepted that the seal dates to the reign of Jeroboam II (784–748 BC), a dating supported by palaeographic and iconographic considerations. Judging from the high quality of the jasper seal’s material, its owner, Shema, was a senior official in the administration of King Jeroboam II. The roaring lion motif was common in ancient Israel and Judah. The lion was most famously associated with the tribe of Judah (Genesis 49:9), but Israel also used the lion as a metaphorical symbol of destruction, power and ferocity. No lions remain in the area today, but in biblical times they were common.

The seal serves to provide evidence for the rule of Jeroboam that is described in the Bible.

"Will a lion roar in the forest, when he hath no prey? will a young lion cry out of his den, if he have taken nothing?
Can a bird fall in a snare upon the earth, where no gin is set for him? shall a snare spring up from the ground, and have taken nothing at all?
Shall the trumpet be blown in a city, and the people not be afraid? shall evil befall a city, and Jehovah hath not done it?
Surely the Lord Jehovah will do nothing, except he reveal his secret unto his servants the prophets.
The lion hath roared; who will not fear? The Lord Jehovah hath spoken; who can but prophesy?"
Amos 3:4-8

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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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