Table of Contents
Did King David Really Exist?
The bones of Caiaphas
Artifact Discovered from Solomon's Temple
The Cosmopolitan Jesus?
The "Jehoash Inscription"
David's Palace Found
The Siloam Pool
Links to Biblical Archaeology web sites
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Bible Archaeology Discoveries
Confirming the Bible as History
Purpose of this page
In recent years, many new archaeology discoveries have been made that directly relate to people and events in the Bible. Many "scholars" have declared that the stories in the Bible are little more than mythology. After all, few of the Kings of Israel or Judah are mentioned any place other that the Bible. Their reasoning is that if the kingdom of Saul, David, and Solomon were as great as the Bible says, why are they not mentioned in the writings of other great kings of the day? As Christians, we take the Bible on faith and that is as it should be. However, there have been some significant discoveries in archaeology recently that Bible believers should celebrate.It is the purpose of this page to present some of those discoveries to church lay persons. Do not become addicted to "proofs" as the basis for your faith, but, take joy in the fact that many people and events in the Bible can be substantiated by scientific study.
The Burial Box of James, the Brother of Jesus
After nearly 2,000 years, historical evidence for the existence of Jesus has come to light literally written in stone. An inscription has been found on an ancient bone box, called an ossuary, that reads “James, son of Joseph, brother of Jesus.” This container provides the only New Testament-era mention of the central figure of Christianity and is the first-ever archaeological discovery to corroborate Biblical references to Jesus.
The bone box had been purchased by a private collector from an antiquities dealer. The box had been looted from its original burial location somewhere close to Jerusalem several years earlier. Unfortunately, the bones had been removed and the exact location of the burial is unknown.
The Aramaic words etched on the box’s side show a cursive form of writing used only from about 10 to 70 A.D., according to noted paleographer André Lemaire of the École Pratique des Hautes Études (popularly known as the Sorbonne University) in Paris, who verified the inscription’s authenticity. The ossuary has been dated to approximately 63 A.D. Lemaire details his full investigation in the November/December 2002 issue of Biblical Archaeology Review, the leading popular publication in its field.
Ancient inscriptions are typically found on royal monuments or on lavish tombs, commemorating rulers and other official figures. But Jesus, who was raised by a carpenter, was a man of the people, so finding documentation of his family is doubly unexpected.
In the first century A.D., Jews followed the custom of transferring the bones of their deceased from burial caves to ossuaries. The practice was largely abandoned after the destruction of the Jewish Temple in 70 A.D. No one knows for certain why the practice started or stopped, but it provides a rare period of self-documentation in which commoners as well as leaders left their names carved in stone.
The new find is also significant in that it corroborates the existence of Joseph, Jesus’ father, and James, Jesus’ brother and a leader of the early Christian church in Jerusalem. The family relationships contained on the new find helped experts ascertain that the inscription very likely refers to the Biblical James, brother of Jesus (see, for example, Matthew 13:55-56 and Galatians 1:18-19). Although all three names were common in ancient times, the statistical probability of their appearing in that combination is extremely slim. In addition, the mention of a brother is unusual--indicating that this Jesus must have been a well-known figure.
Laboratory tests performed by the Geological Survey of Israel confirm that the box’s limestone comes from the Jerusalem area. The patina--a thin sheen or covering that forms on stone and other materials over time--has the cauliflower-type shape known to develop in a cave environment; more importantly, it shows no trace of modern elements.
The 20-inch-long box resides in a private collection in Israel. Like many ossuaries obtained on the antiquities market, it is empty. Its history prior to its current ownership is not known. The container is one of very few ancient artifacts mentioning New Testament figures. One such object is the ossuary of Caiaphas, the high priest who turned Jesus over to the Romans, according to the Biblical account. Caiaphas’s tomb was uncovered in 1990. Also, some 40 years ago, archaeologists discovered an inscription on a monument that mentions Pontius Pilate.
“The James ossuary may be the most important find in the history of New Testament archaeology,” says Hershel Shanks, editor of Biblical Archaeology Review. “It has implications not just for scholarship, but for the world’s understanding of the Bible.”
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Did King David Really Exist?
Who has never heard of King David? There are probably not too many Christians who have not heard of King David. What many Christians probably do not realize is that, until recently, other than David's occurrence in the Bible, there has never been actual proof that he ever existed. Over the years this has given fuel to certain groups wishing to view the Bible as a huge trip into the allegorical. However, all of this changed in 1993. Recently, your author learned for the first time what I am going to attempt to tell about here. You might think that given your faith, it doesn't really matter whether there is proof of David or not. But think for a moment of the implications of our Bible being definitively proven by actual physical evidence. It would be like having your cake, and someone putting icing on it!!!In 1993 (as told in the March/April 1994 issue of Biblical Archaeology Review), Avraham Biran and his team of archaeologists unearthed a piece of stone with fragments of writing on it. In the writings was the words "House of David" It was the first mention of David in ancient inscription outside the Bible. The fragment was found at Tel Dan which lies by the head waters of the Jordan River, near Israel's northern border. The large piece of basalt was part of what must have been a large monumental inscription. It contains 13 lines, but no single line is complete. The surviving letters are clear, however. Line 9 contains the words "House of David". After the complete translation, it was determined that the fragment was part of a victory stela erected in Dan by an Aramean boasting a military victory over the House of David. Many questions are raised as well as many possibilities upon comparing the fragment with the Biblical history. For instance the victory of the Aramean would conflict with the episode in the Bible. However as BAR points out, there were probably many battles and not all were recorded in the Bible. We do know that Israel must have regained control of Dan. This find would perhaps seem simple and to the point, but that is far from the truth. The find began a debate in earnest.
Immediately following the find, many came forward to state that the stone did not actually mention the "House of David." Along with this claim came the accusation that those believing that it did mention David were "Biblical Maximizers." The arguing was fast and furious. The debate inspired letters to the editors displaying the anger, emotion, and dismay from Christians. How could this new proof be denied? While the verbal debate raged, researchers and scientists quietly built a case on the very evidence the naysayers demanded. Another scholar, Andre' Lemaire wrote an article in BAR stating that there was another mention of David in an earlier find. It was called the Mesha Stela proclaiming victory for the Moabite king Mesha over the Israelites.
Then in the Impact section of our own The State in December of last year, an article appeared proclaiming that scientists have found that the Bible is built on facts as well as faith. Many fragments have been found in the same area, all mentioning David. Finally, scholars have reached the consensus that David was real, something many of us have never doubted, even before the stelas were found. Although scholars are not ready to admit the Bible is historically true across the board, they are willing to concede that the "Bible has a sound historical core." One thing is certain, these finds don't only have repercussions in a religious sense, they reach into many domains--political, personal faith, historical. I can't say in learning about these finds that my faith has grown any stronger, I can say that I have a new appreciation for the Bible as an accurate historical record as well as a basis of faith.
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The bones of Caiaphas
Reach back to your early Sunday School days. Who was Caiaphas (kay' uh fuhs)? He was the High Priest, and head of the Sanhedrin (The Jewish Court) that condemned Jesus.In 1990, bulldozers were clearing in the Peace Forest south of Jerusalem, to build a children's water park. Suddenly the blade hit part of an ancient tomb. As is the law in Jerusalem, work stopped and experts were called in the examine the tomb. Inside the tomb they found several ossuaries. Ossuaries are boxes, usually carved from limestone, which are designed to hold the bones of a body after death. After a person died, the body was placed on a special shelf in the tomb and was left there for a year to decompose. Then the tomb was reopened, and the bones would be placed in a bone box or "ossuary." As other family members died, their bones would be added to the ossauary.
It is thought that certain bible verses refer to this practice such as "gathering to their fathers" (Judges 2:10); (Kings 22:20); or "buried with his fathers" (2 Kings 8:24) or "slept with his fathers" (2 Kings 13:13).
One of the many ossuaries in this ancient tomb was very ornate, every square inch filled with beautiful and detailed etching. Some of the original paint still remained-- a bright orange color. On the back of the ossauary is written the name "Caiaphas" two different times and with two different spellings. The Jewish Historian, Josephus also spells the name two different ways in his Greek writings.
The box believed to hold the bones of Caiaphas also holds the bones of six other individuals. Studies of the bones showed that the box contained bones of two boys, 13 and 18, an adult woman, 2 infants, a child between 2 and 5, and a 60 year old man! After the bones were studied they were reburied on the Mount of Olives.
The Bible endures-- and how!
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Artifact Discovered from Solomon's Temple
An ivory pomegranate came to light in 1979 when Andre' Lemaire entered an antique shop in Jerusalem. The significance of the pomegranate in biblical times is that it was a symbol of fertility as it is laden with many seeds. This particular ivory pomegranate was determined to have been originally the head of a priestly scepter. The pomegranate also has inscriptions on it. After scholars studied the inscriptions the piece gained dramatically in value. The pomegranate was determined to be the top of a scepter from the Temple of Solomon! There is a mystery about the pomegranate that bears telling. No one knows where the pomegranate was found, or how it came to the antique dealer. Lemaire had only obtained pictures of the piece. Furthermore, by the time the significance of the pomegranate was determined, the antiques dealer could no longer be located either.
In 1987, a tour guide named Meir Urbach offered the Israel Museum the pomegranate for $600,000.00. Urbach was not your run of the mill tour guide; being the son of Israel's greatest Talmudic scholar, the late Ephraim Urbach. Meir Urbach claimed to know who actually owned the pomegranate. In any case, amid all the intrigue, the museum's acquisition committee set about trying to raise the $600,000.00. Their efforts proved futile. In the meantime, the piece was smuggled to Paris as an exhibit at the Grand Palais.
In keeping with the mystery, in 1988 an agent informed the Israel Museum that it would receive a gift of $675,000. Anonymous gifts such as this are not unheard of, however, Museum officials usually know the donor. Not the case here. No one knows who gave the museum the money to purchase the Pomegranate. It is duly noted how coincidental that the amount of the gift equals almost exactly the asking price for the pomegranate. According to sources, the antiques dealer parted with the pomegranate for $3000.00. As always, there are some doubters as to the authenticity of the pomegranate, but it has passed the test with three world renowned experts, and has thus been accepted as a relic from the Temple of Solomon.
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The Cosmopolitan Jesus?
Jesus grew up in Nazareth. When thinking of Nazareth, a pastoral setting comes to mind. It is easy to imagine Jesus walking throughout the countryside performing his ministries. In the May/June 1992 issue of Biblical Archaeology Review there is an article telling of the discovery of an ancient city called Sepphoris. It has been discovered to have been the ancient capital of Galilee. Moreover, this city was less than 3 miles from Nazareth and could even be seen from a high hill in Nazareth. This discovery sheds new light on traditional beliefs about Jesus' upbringing. Primarily it forces one to consider that perhaps Jesus was much more cosmopolitan than originally believed.Sepphoris has been found to have had a population of about 30,000. The city was built by Herod Antipas, the son of Herod the Great who beheaded John the Baptist. For thirty years Sepphoris was the capital of Galilee and Perea which comprise a large area east of the Jordan River. The city occupied about 500 acres. Josephus relates that Sepphoris was the largest and most beautiful city in the entire region. The city contained Antipas' royal residence, a 4000 seat theater, bath, archives, and gymnasiums.
Work on the plans to excavate began in 1980. Now with the help of aerial cameras that have ground penetrating radar, it has been found that Sepphoris also had aqueducts, tunnels, grain silos, cisterns, and wine cellars. Most impressive was the intricate water supply system. Knowing all this is very important when trying to reconstruct the life and times of Jesus. The urban influence would be unmistakable. One can't imagine that Jesus lived less than 3 miles away and never visited the city. The city's close proximity also leads one to re-think Jesus' occupation as a carpenter. Herod Antipas actually rebuilt the city after the death of his father Herod. This means there would have been employment for Jesus and Joseph. Incidentally, it is believed that a carpenter in Jesus' time would have been one in the building trade in general.
In the Gospels, there is no account of Jesus visiting Sepphoris. However, after Jesus became an influential religious leader, Antipas wanted him dead. Thus he would not have been safe proclaiming the word of God in Sepphoris. However, this does not mean he never visited the city. This seems highly unlikely.
When studying scriptures, it seems even likely that Jesus had a more metropolitan influence than originally thought. In His parables He mentions kings so often; his understanding of kingship seems influenced by a very real knowledge---perhaps Antipas' reign over Sepphoris? Jesus mentions "hypocrite" 17 times throughout the Gospel. The word "hypocrite" originally meant stage actor. There was a theater in Sepphoris that seated 4,000? Did Jesus attend the theater? If he did, it seems likely that he wasn't too impressed--this one can surmise from his disdain for hypocrites throughout the Gospel.
Knowing that Jesus had an urban influence enhances our understanding of him. It gives new depth to the Gospel. It brings a sophistication to Jesus that is refreshing and surprisingly modern.
By: Brandy Rankin
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The "Jehoash Inscription"
Right on the heels of the discovery of a bone box that could have contained the bones of Jesus' brother, James, comes another archaeology discovery of astounding proportions. The "Jehoash Inscription" could be the most astounding discoveries in the history of biblical archaeology. The implications of this discovery are not just biblical. There are explosive political issues as well.
The topics covered here are:
- What is the "Jehoash Inscription?"
- Is it Authentic?
- What are the biblical and political implications of the inscription?
Briefly, it is a 9 X 11 inch black sandstone plaque that memorializes contributions of silver for repairs to Solomon's Temple (the first temple). It was written between 835 and 801 B.C.E. during the time that Jehoash, also called Joash, was king of Judah. At that time the temple was already over 100 years old and, like any building, needed some repairs. Apparently Jehoash had a building fund campaign to collect money for the work. Then he had a memorial plaque inscribed and put in the wall of the refurbished temple. Sounds very modern, doesn't it?
Is it Authentic?
The inscription came to the attention of the archaeology world over a year ago. Since then there has been a raging debate about its authenticity. The debate centers on the patina. The patina is a film that develops on stone, and other material over hundreds or thousands of years. World-class linguists and paleographers (experts in ancient scripts) are absolutely certain that it is a clever fake. On the other hand, three leading geologists are just as certain that it is authentic.
What are the biblical and political implications of the inscription?
The biblical implications are pretty straight forward. For people of faith the inscription simply provides more evidence that what the bible tells us about Solomon's Temple is true. People of faith don't need scientific proof, but it is satisfying non-the-less.
However, the inscription creates severe headaches among certain "biblical scholars." There is a group of scholars, collectively known as "Biblical Minimalists" who deny that the bible contains any real history. They believe that the "Golden Age" of the Jews never existed and that there was never a great king named David or Solomon. They also deny that Solomon built a temple. If the inscription is authentic the minimalists will have to rethink their view of the historicity of the bible.
The political implications of the inscription could be explosive, particularly in Jerusalem. Much of the tension between the Jews and Palastinians is because both religions claim the mound as their holy place. Yasser Arafat claims there was never a Solomonic Temple on the Temple Mound as the Bible says. Strong evidence that the Jews did have a temple on the mound would undermine the Muslim claim to the mound and create even more tension. Currently the Jews are only allowed to worship at a small part of the Temple Mound known as the "Wailing Wall."
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August 2005
Two stunning archaeological discoveries have been announced recently; David's palace and the Siloam Pool. They are important because they confirm what is written in the Bible and put to rest arguments that the Bible is not an accurate source of history. A brief description of these two discoveries is given below. There are links to more detailed information.
David's Palace
For years certain "Biblical scholars" have argued that most, if not all, of the history found in the Bible was invented by the Jews to give themselves a glorious heritage. In particular, they assert that there was no "Golden Age of Saul, David, and Solomon." Their argument was that Jerusalem was not a great city of political power during the time of David, but that it was only a small village. They base their argument on the fact that no archaeology digs have so far turned up any evidence to support the Bible's claim that Jerusalem was a great city during David's time. In other words they claimed that "the absence of evidence is evidence of absence." Now, that is all changed. Archaeologists have uncovered what they believe was David's palace in Jerusalem. Studies are underway to confirm the findings, but no one is disputing the claim that David's palace has been found at last.
Go to Biblical Archaeology Review to read all the details. On that same web page you will find more details about the Siloam Pool discussed below.
Siloam Pool
Yet another stunning archaeological discovery, which dramatically affects the Bible, was announced within the past two weeks!John 9:1-7
9:1 As he walked along, he saw a man blind from birth.
9:2 His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"
9:3 Jesus answered, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God's works might be revealed in him.
9:4 We F78 must work the works of him who sent me F79 while it is day; night is coming when no one can work.
9:5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world."
9:6 When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva and spread the mud on the man's eyes,
9:7 saying to him, "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam" (which means Sent). Then he went and washed and came back able to see.
The exact location of the Siloam Pool in Jerusalem has been located and verified. This means that another important reference in the Bible is supported by archaeological study. There are three Siloam pools in Jerusalem's history and they are all three referenced in the Bible. Two are in the Old Testament and one is the pool referenced above in John 9:7. The exact locations of the two Siloam Pools from the Old Testament are not known.
The first Siloam Pool is documented in 2 Kings 20:20.
And the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and all his might, and how he made a pool, and a conduit, and brought water into the city, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
The "conduit" above refers to Hezekiah's Tunnel, which he built to secure Jerusalem's water supply from attack. It ran for 1,750 feet under the ridge on which the City of David lay, from the Gihon Spring to the "pool" (Siloam Pool).
The second Siloam Pool is documented in Nehemiah 3:15.
But the gate of the fountain repaired Shallun the son of Colhozeh, the ruler of part of Mizpah; he built it, and covered it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof, and the wall of the pool of Siloah by the king's garden, and unto the stairs that go down from the city of David.
The "pool of Siloah" is the Siloam Pool.
All three of the Siloam Pools were in slightly different locations, though they were all fed by Hezekiah's tunnel from the Gihon spring.
Go to Biblical Archaeology Review to read all the details. Scroll down the page and you will see the story about the Siloam Pool. At the bottom of the page is a link to the latest Biblical Archaeology Review article with the details of the discovery and a picture of the pool. It is a .PDF file so you will need the Acrobat Reader to open the article.
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Links to Biblical Archaeology web sites
SCROLLS FROM THE DEAD SEA - The Ancient Library of Qumran and Modern Scholarship
ASSOCIATES FOR BIBLICAL RESEARCH - Demonstrating through field work the historical reliability of the Scriptures
TABLE OF CONTENTS (SCROLLS FROM THE DEAD SEA) - A library of Congress exhibit of the Dead Sea Scrolls
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