Archeological Finds

Listed below you will see a few of the archeological finds made over the last few years to help substantiate the validity of the Bible, as if it needs it!

  • The Dead Sea Scrolls: Discovered between 1947 and 1956 near the Dead Sea, these scrolls include some of the oldest known surviving copies of the Hebrew Bible. They have been crucial in confirming the accuracy and consistency of the biblical text over time.

  • The Tel Dan Stele: This is an ancient inscribed stone that mentions the "House of David." It's considered significant because it's one of the first archaeological evidence that refers to King David, a central figure in the Old Testament.

  • The Moabite Stone (Mesha Stele): This stone inscription from the 9th century BC provides an account from the Moabite perspective that mentions the "House of David" and the God of Israel, aligning with biblical narratives.

  • The Cyrus Cylinder: Dating back to the 6th century BC, this ancient record confirms the decree of Cyrus the Great that allowed exiled Jews to return to Israel and rebuild the Temple, as mentioned in the book of Ezra.

  • Pontius Pilate Inscription: Discovered in Caesarea, this stone inscription from the 1st century AD mentions Pontius Pilate, the Roman prefect who presided over the trial of Jesus Christ, corroborating the New Testament account.

  • The Hezekiah Tunnel: An engineering marvel mentioned in the Bible, this tunnel in Jerusalem was constructed by King Hezekiah to provide water during a siege by the Assyrians. Its existence and purpose align with the biblical record.

  • The Pool of Bethesda: Mentioned in the Gospel of John in the New Testament, this pool was discovered in Jerusalem, validating the biblical description of its location and structure.

  • The Jericho Walls: Archaeological findings in the ancient city of Jericho have led to various interpretations regarding the biblical account of its walls falling down.

  • Caiaphas Ossuary: This ancient limestone bone box purportedly held the remains of Caiaphas, the Jewish high priest who presided over the trial of Jesus.

  • The Tel El-Amarna Letters: These are a collection of clay tablets that contain diplomatic correspondence from the time of Pharaoh Akhenaten, which provides context for the geopolitical landscape during the time of the Hebrew Bible.

  • The House of David Inscription (Tel Dan Inscription): An archaeological find that bears an inscription which may reference David, the King of Israel, providing evidence for his historical existence outside of the biblical text.

  • The Balaam Inscription: Found at Deir Alla, Jordan, this inscription mentions Balaam, a prophet who appears in the Book of Numbers, thus corroborating his existence outside the biblical narrative.

  • The Sennacherib's Prism (or Taylor Prism): An Assyrian document that details the campaigns of King Sennacherib, including his siege of Jerusalem during the reign of King Hezekiah, which is mentioned in the Bible.

  • The Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III: This obelisk depicts Jehu, king of Israel, bowing before Shalmaneser III of Assyria. It is the only known depiction of an Israelite king in ancient Near Eastern art.

  • The Siloam Inscription: Found in Hezekiah's Tunnel in Jerusalem, this ancient Hebrew inscription describes the construction of the tunnel, which is mentioned in the Old Testament.

  • The Lachish Letters: A set of ostraca (pottery shards with writing) found at Lachish that describe conditions in a Judahite fortress city during the time of the Babylonian conquest, providing a context that complements the biblical narrative.

  • The Pilate Stone: Found in Caesarea, it bears the name of Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor who presided over the trial of Jesus, providing non-biblical evidence for his historical existence.

  • The Ossuary of James, Son of Joseph, Brother of Jesus: A disputed artifact, this bone box bears an inscription that some have interpreted to reference James, the brother of Jesus, though its authenticity and interpretation are debated.

  • The Ebla Tablets: Ancient tablets discovered at Tell Mardikh in Syria, containing thousands of texts that provide insights into the language, culture, and history of the region during the early biblical period.

  • The Merneptah Stele: An Egyptian inscription by Pharaoh Merneptah that includes the earliest known reference to Israel outside of the Bible, dating to the 13th century BC.

  • The Amarna Letters: These are clay tablets from the 14th century BC found in Amarna, Egypt, containing correspondence between Egyptian rulers and various Levantine kings. Some of these letters provide context for the political and social milieu of the region during the period that aligns with early biblical narratives.

  • The Nebuchadnezzar Chronicle (Babylonian Chronicles): These ancient Babylonian texts provide an account of Nebuchadnezzar II's reign and include references to his conquest of Jerusalem, as described in the Bible.

  • The Ivory Pomegranate: An artifact inscribed with an ancient Hebrew inscription, believed by some to have originated from the First Temple period, possibly a relic from Solomon's Temple.

  • The Ekron Inscription: This is a royal dedication inscription found in the ancient city of Ekron, one of the Philistine city-states. It includes the name of the city and its kings, providing a link to the Philistine culture mentioned in the Bible.

  • The Ketef Hinnom Amulets: These are two silver scrolls found in Jerusalem and dated to the 7th century BC. They bear the oldest known citations of texts found in the Hebrew Bible, including the priestly blessing from the Book of Numbers.

  • The Tel Dan Nature Reserve: Home to the remains of the ancient city of Dan, where significant artifacts including an altar and a gate complex that might be the one mentioned in the Book of Kings have been found.

  • The Hazor Expedition: Excavations at Tel Hazor have uncovered a wealth of artifacts and structures from the Canaanite and Israelite periods, providing insights into the culture and society mentioned in various biblical accounts.

  • The Seal of Baruch: A bulla (clay seal) that may have belonged to Baruch, the scribe of the prophet Jeremiah, mentioned in the Book of Jeremiah.

  • The Pool of Siloam: Discovered in Jerusalem, this pool dates to the time of Jesus and is believed to be the same pool where Jesus healed a blind man, as described in the Gospel of John.

  • The Arch of Titus: Located in Rome, this arch depicts the spoils taken from Jerusalem by the Romans after the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 AD, as described in the New Testament.