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Title: Impression of King Hezekiah's royal seal discovered in excavations in Jerusalem
Source:
Science Daily
URL Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/12/151202132519.htm
Published: Dec 3, 2015
Author: The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Post Date: 2015-12-03 13:25:24 by redleghunter
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Keywords: None
Views: 1953
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First seal impression of an Israelite or Judean king ever exposed in situ in a scientific archaeological excavation Date:December 2, 2015 Source:The Hebrew University of Jerusalem Summary:Excavations by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem at near the southern wall of the Temple Mount have unearthed an impression of the royal seal of King Hezekiah (727-698 BCE). This is the first seal impression of an Israelite or Judean king to come to light in a scientific archaeological excavation. It brings to life the Biblical narratives about Hezekiah and activity in Jerusalem's Royal Quarter in the First Temple Period. The Ophel excavations at the foot of the southern wall of the Temple Mount, conducted by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem's Institute of Archaeology under the direction of Dr. Eilat Mazar, have unearthed an impression of the royal seal of King Hezekiah (727-698 BCE). Measuring 9.7 X 8.6 mm, the oval impression was imprinted on a 3 mm thick soft bulla (piece of inscribed clay) measuring 13 X 12 mm. Around the impression is the depression left by the frame of the ring in which the seal was set. The impression bears an inscription in ancient Hebrew script: "Belonging to Hezekiah [son of] Ahaz king of Judah," and a two-winged sun, with wings turned downward, flanked by two ankh symbols symbolizing life. The bulla originally sealed a document written on a papyrus rolled and tied with thin cords, which left their mark on the reverse of the bulla. This bulla came to light, together with many pottery sherds and other finds such as figurines and seals, in Area A of the excavations (2009 season), supervised by Hagai Cohen-Klonymus. The bulla was discovered in a refuse dump dated to the time of King Hezekiah or shortly after, and originated in the Royal Building that stood next to it and appears to have been used to store foodstuffs. This building, one of a series of structures that also included a gatehouse and towers, was constructed in the second half of the 10th century BCE (the time of King Solomon) as part of the fortifications of the Ophel -- the new governmental quarter that was built in the area that connects the City of David with the Temple Mount. The bulla was found together with 33 additional bullae imprinted from other seals, some bearing Hebrew names, their reverse showing marks of coarse fabric and thick cords that probably sealed sacks containing foodstuffs. Dr. Eilat Mazar said: "Although seal impressions bearing King Hezekiah's name have already been known from the antiquities market since the middle of the 1990s, some with a winged scarab (dung beetle) symbol and others with a winged sun, this is the first time that a seal impression of an Israelite or Judean king has ever come to light in a scientific archaeological excavation." A third-generation archaeologist working at the Hebrew University's Institute of Archaeology, Dr. Mazar directs excavations on the City of David's summit and in the Ophel to the south of the Temple Mount's southern wall. Among her many archaeological finds over the years, in 2013 she revealed to the world an ancient golden treasure discovered at the Ophel (see http://new.huji.ac.il/en/article/18251). A video about this discovery is available online at http://www.keytodavidscity.com. Copyright Dr. Eilat Mazar and Herbert W. Armstrong College. The renewed Ophel excavations (2009-2013), and the processing of the finds as well as the preservation and preparation of the excavated area for tourists by the Israel Antiquities Authority were made possible through funding provided by Daniel Mintz and Meredith Berkman (New York). The excavation site is situated within the Ophel Archaeological Park, which is part of the National Park Around the Walls of Jerusalem under the auspices of the Israel Nature and Parks Authority. The seal impression was found during the wet-sifting of earth layers from the excavation in the Emek-Zurim wet-sifting facility, directed by Dr. Gabriel Barkai and Zachi Dvira, under the auspices of the Nature and Parks Authority and the Ir David Foundation. The bulla was discovered by Efrat Greenwald, a member of the Ophel expedition, who supervised the wet-sifting of the excavation material. Reut Ben-Aryeh, who prepared the Hebrew bullae from the Ophel excavations for publication, was the first to identify it as a seal impression of King Hezekiah. Students and alumni of Herbert W. Armstrong College from Edmond, Oklahoma participated in the excavation. King Hezekiah is described favorably in the Bible (II Kings, Isaiah, II Chronicles) as well as in the chronicles of the Assyrian kings-- Sargon II and his son Sennacherib -- who ruled during his time. Hezekiah is depicted as both a resourceful and daring king, who centralized power in his hands. Although he was an Assyrian vassal, he successfully maintained the independent standing of the Judean Kingdom and its capital Jerusalem, which he enhanced economically, religiously, and diplomatically. The Bible relates of Hezekiah that "there was none like him among all the kings of Judah after him, nor among those before him" (II Kings 18:5). The symbols on the seal impression from the Ophel suggest that they were made late in his life, when both the Royal administrative authority and the King's personal symbols changed from the winged scarab (dung beetle) -- the symbol of power and rule that had been familiar throughout the Ancient Near East, to that of the winged sun -- a motif that proclaimed God's protection, which gave the regime its legitimacy and power, also widespread throughout the Ancient Near East and used by the Assyrian Kings. This change most likely reflected both the Assyrian influence and Hezekiah's desire to emphasize his political sovereignty, and Hezekiah's own profound awareness of the powerful patronage given his reign by the God of Israel. While the changed Royal administrative symbol imprinted on the King's jars used the motif of a sun with wings extended to the sides, Hezekiah's personal changed symbol had a sun with sheltering wings turned down and a life-symbol at the end of each wing. This special addition of the symbol of life may support the assumption that the change on the King's personal seal was made after Hezekiah had recovered from the life-threatening illness of shehin (II Kings 20:1-8), when the life-symbol became especially significant for him (ca. 704 BCE). The discovery of King Hezekiah's Royal Seal impression in the Ophel excavations vividly brings to life the Biblical narratives about King Hezekiah and the activity conducted during his lifetime in Jerusalem's Royal Quarter. The full research about King Hezekiah's bulla is included in the first volume of the Ophel Excavations 2009-2013 Final Reports, published today with the support of the David Berg Foundation. Story Source: The above post is reprinted from materials provided by The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. Poster Comment: 
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#1. To: GarySpFc, liberator, tomder55, CZ82, Don, BobCeleste, sneakypete, A K A Stone, Cranky, out damned spot, Justified, BorisY, Deckard, *Religious History and Issues* (#0)
Above article from Science Daily. Other sources below: Seal Impression With King Hezekiah's Name Discovered in Jerusalem Seal of King Hezekiah Discovered
2 Kings 20: New King James Version (NKJV) 20 In those days Hezekiah was sick and near death. And Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, went to him and said to him, “Thus says the Lord: ‘Set your house in order, for you shall die, and not live.’” 2 Then he turned his face toward the wall, and prayed to the Lord, saying, 3 “Remember now, O Lord, I pray, how I have walked before You in truth and with a loyal heart, and have done what was good in Your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly. 4 And it happened, before Isaiah had gone out into the middle court, that the word of the Lord came to him, saying, 5 “Return and tell Hezekiah the leader of My people, ‘Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father: “I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; surely I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the Lord. 6 And I will add to your days fifteen years. I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for My own sake, and for the sake of My servant David.”’” 7 Then Isaiah said, “Take a lump of figs.” So they took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered.
Very interesting,thanks for posting it. BTW,didn't they store these scrolls in sealed clay jugs to preserve them? Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012) American Indians had open borders. Look at how well that worked out for them.
Thanks. That is an awesome find.
"A silly idea is current that good people do not know what temptation means. This is an obvious lie. Only those who try to resist temptation know how strong it is... A man who gives in to temptation after five minutes simply does not know what it would have been like an hour later. That is why bad people, in one sense, know very little about badness. They have lived a sheltered life by always giving in.” ― C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
Pete I believe what they found was a seal for the jars. Maybe Gary knows a bit more.
With all these finds this year, maybe Noah's ark is next.
LOL! IIRC,it has been "found" at least 3 times in my lifetime. Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012) American Indians had open borders. Look at how well that worked out for them.
When I drive 'home' through West Virginia and Maryland I pass this Noah's Ark site. They've been trying to build it for the past twenty years. Pretty sure it is in W VA.
This one?
No, that's not it. It is visible from the Interstate. www.roadsideamerica.com/story/10061 My mistake; it is in Maryland.
The seal was the king's Mark, which he used to include on anything official. The impression was usually made in wax or soft clay. Scrolls were stored on shelves for quick use, and in jars for long term storage. "A silly idea is current that good people do not know what temptation means. This is an obvious lie. Only those who try to resist temptation know how strong it is... A man who gives in to temptation after five minutes simply does not know what it would have been like an hour later. That is why bad people, in one sense, know very little about badness. They have lived a sheltered life by always giving in.” ― C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
#2. To: All, *Bible Study Ping* (#1)
#3. To: redleghunter (#0)
#4. To: redleghunter, ALL (#2)
#5. To: sneakypete, GarySpFc (#3)
#6. To: GarySpFC (#4)
#7. To: redleghunter (#6)
With all these finds this year, maybe Noah's ark is next.
#8. To: redleghunter (#6)
With all these finds this year, maybe Noah's ark is next.
#9. To: Fred Mertz (#8)
#10. To: redleghunter (#9)
#11. To: redleghunter (#9)
#12. To: redleghunter, sneakypete (#5)
ete I believe what they found was a seal for the jars. Maybe Gary knows a more
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