THE MUSEUM BIBLE TOURS PODCAST

While we might not have inscriptions bearing Solomon’s name, archaeology is decidedly not silent about Solomon and his kingdom. There is compelling evidence supporting the authenticity of the biblical account of Solomon. This evidence comes in the form of Solomon’s building blueprint.

In 2021, during their excavations in the City of David National Park in Jerusalem, the archaeological team from the Israel Antiquities Authority discovered a layer of destruction dating to that time period when no known conquest of Jerusalem or other violent event occurred. Examining the excavation findings, they tried to check if there is a reference to it in the biblical text. The Bible book of Amos gave (them) a clue…

A fragmentary stone inscription that is small but significant measures about 5.3 inches long by 3.8 inches wide and is dated to the eighth-century B.C.E. was discovered during excavations at the City of David National Park in 2007 and referred to King Hezekiah and his accomplishments, paralleling the biblical passage in 2 Kings 20:20. More info.

David’s name appears in 1,138 places in the Bible and he stands out prominently in the Hebrew Scriptures. However, Bible minimalists asserted that King David’s expansive kingdom, according to the Bible, was nothing more than legend and misconception. But, in 1993, the Tel Dan inscription became one of the most exciting Biblical archaeology discoveries ever! For the broken basalt stone slab bears an inscription to the “House of David.”

In November 1990 a new water park was constructed in Jerusalem. As a tractor was removing soil it accidentally crashed through the roof of a long-forgotten burial cave. The work was immediately stopped, and an archeological team was brought in to investigate. Archeologist Zvi Greenhut arrived at the location and realized that he was looking at a burial cave that contained 12 ossuaries.

One of the limestone ossuaries discovered had intricate carvings, making it unique. The fact that this ossuary was so decorated indicates that the occupant would have been of great importance.

According to the Bible, King Hezekiah of Judah ruled in the late eighth century B.C.E. This was a time of great conflict with the mighty Assyrian empire. When Hezekiah learned of King Sennacherib’s intent to conquer Jerusalem, he decided to construct a tunnel to redirect the water from the Gihon Spring to the walls of Jerusalem. In the 19th century, just such a tunnel was discovered. It became known as Hezekiah’s Tunnel or Siloam Tunnel.

Irish Archeologist Robert Alexander Stewart Macalister discovered what came to be known as the Gezer calendar. In 1908 the inscribed limestone tablet was uncovered during an excavation in the Biblical city of Gezer, which lies toward the coastal plain 20 miles west of Jerusalem. The calendar, about the size of a smartphone, has been dated to the 10th century B.C.E. which corresponds to the time of King Solomon.

After extensive investigation, two little silver scrolls that came to be known as the Ketef Hinnom scrolls were discovered to contain the oldest-preserved verses of the Hebrew Bible ever discovered. This discovery startled the archaeological community about 41 years ago. Two tiny silver scrolls were discovered in 1979 during an excavation at Ketef Hinnom’s funeral site west of Jerusalem, which was directed by archaeologist Gabriel Barkay. These were successfully unrolled by scholars at the Israel Museum, who were shocked to discover preserved texts from what are now known as Numbers 6 and Deuteronomy 7.

According to the Gospels, Pontius Pilate played a significant role in Jesus’ trial and execution. There was once no archaeological or other convincing evidence that Pontius Pilate ever existed, including the complete disappearance of administration records, no papyrus writings, scrolls, tablets, authentic letters to Rome, and the Roman ruins that remained in Israel saying nothing about him. Bible critics eager to dismiss the Gospels as imaginative storytelling were quick to point out Pilate’s lack of evidence. That was true until the “Pilate Stone” was discovered 62 years ago.

Few Bible accounts are more thrilling than David slaying the Philistine giant Goliath. David, still a shepherd boy living in Bethlehem was visiting his brothers in Israel’s camp when he hears the blasphemous shouting of Goliath. David runs toward the giant to defend the name of his God and his people. He brings him down as the greatest Philistine warrior with a single stone.

To many Bible critics, the account of David defeating Goliath is a complete fantasy or an exaggerated folktale based on dim memories not written down until hundreds of years after the event. But there is much evidence to support the fact that David and Goliath were real persons and their battle recorded in the Bible actually happened.

Although Paul’s visits to Ephesus and Thessalonica, make up only a small part of the Acts narrative, Luke’s use of official titles and the two detailed accounts exhibited a degree of precision that would seem difficult without being an eyewitness to the events. Moreover, his accuracy compares favorably with other Greco-Roman historiographers.

Assyrian King Sargon of the eighth century BCE, also known as Sargon II, is mentioned just once in the Bible. At one time Bible critics doubted his existence because up until the 19th century, he was completely unknown to archaeology. Even the Jewish historian Josephus whose writings were extensive did not mention him. Nothing of the king is recorded in classical histories. However, in the 1840’s, archaeologists began excavating the palace of Sargon. Now, he is one of the most famous Assyrian kings.

Today the Arch of Titus is much admired by the hundreds of thousands of people each year who visit the Roman Forum. Some view the arch as a majestic work of art, others as a tribute to imperial Roman power, and yet others as an epitaph to fallen Jerusalem and its temple. Careful readers of the Bible, however, view the Arch of Titus as having even greater significance.

A nondescript block of limestone, clumsily broken, nicked up on the sides and pitted with age, is certainly not impressive in the way that is looks. Furthermore, It is placed inconspicuously on a shelf at the Israel Museum. But its evenly cut face and distinctly inscribed Greek letters with traces of red paint still faintly visible belies its enormous significance. The broken limestone inscription is known as the Temple Warning inscription. Find out more by listening to this MBT Podcast.

Series: Unveiling the Bible’s Significant Cities

Megiddo has been the scene of some 34 decisive battles throughout its long history, of which a few are recorded in the Bible including Deborah’s and Barak’s great victory against Jabin king of Canaan and his general Sisera found in Judges Chapter 4. Find out in this podcast episode how Megiddo has prophetic significance for our day.

This micro-podcast will highlight the following: Of the buildings that were situated on the temple grounds, there is the Trumpeting Place Inscription and is the only significant item remaining, thus confirming the fulfillment of Jesus’ prophecy at Matthew 24:1, 2. Listen to this podcast to learn more.

Series: Discoveries Related To The Apostle Paul

The ancient Romans were outstanding builders. Among their greatest achievements were the stone-paved roads throughout the Roman Empire. The enormous Roman Empire boasted a vast and extensive network of roads. The road network was essential in maintaining the stability of the empire and its expansion. The streets were used for transport from one location to another. “The Roman roads were probably at their best during the first century after Augustus had put an end to war and disorder. . . . Thus St. Paul traveled in the best and safest period,” wrote New Testament archaeologist W.M. Ramsay.

#AncientRomans #Builders #StonePavedRoads #RomanEmpire #RoadNetwork #Augustus #StPaul #NewTestamentArchaeologists #BibleLands #BibleLandsPodcast

Series: Unveiling the Bible’s Significant Cities

The most noteworthy capital city in the Bible was ancient Jerusalem. Perhaps the second most noteworthy city was ancient Samaria. For some 200 years, Samaria was the capital of the ten-tribe kingdom of Israel. But what do you know of Samaria? And why was it a capital among northern capitals?

#BiblePodcast #CapitalCity #AncientJerusalem #AncientSamaria #TenTribeKingdom #KingdomOfIsrael #NorthernCapitals #SamariaHistory #BiblicalHistory #HistoricalCities #BibleLands #BibleLandsPodcast

Series: Unveiling the Bible’s Significant Cities

Hazor was one of the most significant sites in the Bible Lands. Its power was widely felt before the arrival of the Israelites, and it would have been one of the main lynchpin cities for them to conquer, ‘for Hazor was the head of all those kingdoms’. (Joshua 11:10) Hazor would also later become a powerful Solomonic fortress. Yet for all the important finds made at this historical site, a debate rages as to how they match up with the biblical record, especially of Joshua and his conquests. We’ll examine this dispute, as well as the wider history of this once-formidable city-fortress, the largest site in all biblical Israel.