Bible Archeology Discoveries

Stele of Hophra
Discovered: Ismailia, Egypt
From: (c. 580 BC)

This sandstone sytele has an inscription of the Egyptian king Hophra, one of six pharaohs mentioned by name in the Old Testament (Jeremiah 44:30). It was accidently discovered on June 4 by a farmer working in his field near Ismailia in the eastern delta of Egypt. Hophra ruled from 589 to 570 BC and was involved in events surrounding the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians in July, 587 BC. At the top of the stele is a winged sun disk; below that is the cartouche (name ring) of Pharaoh Hophra, followed by 15 lines of hieroglyphic text.

The Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar installed Zedekiah as puppet king of Judah in 597 BC (2 Kings 24:15–17). Zedekiah, however, decided to revolt and sought help from Egypt (Ezekiel 17:15). Nebuchadnezzar responded by laying siege to Jerusalem in January of 589 BC (2 Kings 25:1). Shortly thereafter, Hophra was crowned Pharaoh and his first official act was to come to the aid of Judah.

No historical records of Hophra have been found. This stele is therefore very important in corroborating the Bible's mention of this figure.

"Thus saith Jehovah, Behold, I will give Pharaoh Hophra king of Egypt into the hand of his enemies, and into the hand of them that seek his life; as I gave Zedekiah king of Judah into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, who was his enemy, and sought his life."
Jeremiah 44: 30

Select Pages

- page 54 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.

Note: Click any image on these pages to see larger photos.