The Bible Confirmed by Archeology

Bronze Age oil lamp Job 29 v 3 … by his light I walked through darkness

Historical background to the Bible THE TAYLOR PRISM Sennacharib Containing events happening in the Assyrian Empire by which are also recorded in the Bible

Sennacherib on throne Wall carvings and Sennacherib’s prism and the Bible all relate the same events. These relief carvings show Sennacherib as the most powerful king in the world. Sennacherib has the prisoners and the loot from the Judean city of Lachish paraded before him. Photo credit, the British Museum

The lion hunt Many exotic animals and plants were kept in private parks. Animals were bred to be hunted for sport. The Assyrian Empire supported a rich lifestyle for the upper classes Photo credit, the British Museum

The Assyrian Camp The Assyrian army was an efficient, well organized fighting force. The army was well supplied with armaments and with food taken from conquered territories. Priests also accompanied the army to appease the gods and assure victory. Photo credit, the British Museum

Booty from Lachish Photo credit,the British Museum Sennacherib’s prism also tells of the prisoners and domestic animals captured from Lachish. This relief carving depicts the weapons taken to prevent further resistance. The Assyrians took all symbols of local authority from the palace at Lachish.

Tribute Taxes from the provinces were carefully totalled to ensure that they were as assessed. The relief carvings in Assyrian palaces portray the written records on Sennacherib’s prism. Each province in the Assyrian Empire paid taxes to the central authority Photo credit, the British Museum

Oil lamp Psalm 119 v 105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path about time of King David

Quarter Shekel of Judaea One of the earliest known Jewish coins struck in Persia after Cyrus allowed Jews to return from Babylon. The Cyrus cylinder appears to grant religious freedom in the Persian Empire. But this coin depicts Yahweh from a Persian view and violates the second commandment.

Historical background to the Bible The King of Babylon……….. brought Jehoiachin, King of Judah out of prison……..and gave him for his diet………everyday a portion until the day of his death. The final chapter in Jeremiah states: A clay tablet from a Babylonian library, now in the British Museum, refers to Jehoiachin, King of Judah. This clay tablet also states that Jehoiachin received daily rations from the Babylonian king. The Babylonian library confirms the Bible record in Jeremiah.

Historical background to the Bible Qumran is an ancient Jewish community on the shores of the Dead Sea. It was inhabited for about 150 years The Roman army destroyed Qumran in 68 AD Qumran

Sediment was captured in basins and the water was stored in cisterns. Remains of a cistern Water from Wadi Qumran was collected behind a dam. An aqueduct brought water from the dam to the settlement.

First Century corn mill The settlement had a Potter’s shed and other workshops. Animal bones, dates and other food remains were found nearby. Qumran seems to have been largely self-sufficient.

Scroll storage jar Dead Sea scrolls were placed in these jars. These scroll jars were probably made in the settlement. The lid was sealed onto the jar and it was put in a safe, dry place

Cave IV This cave, although closest to Qumran, contained few scrolls. Most of the scrolls were stored in dry caves some distance from the settlement.

Oil lamp from the time of the Gospels Luke 8 v 16 No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a vessel or puts it under a bed, but sets it on a lampstand, that those who enter may see the light.

Hasmonaean Coin This coin was struck in Judaea while Qumran was expanding. The lily is a symbol of Judah, the reverse of the coin has Seleucid symbols and Greek letters. The coin shows the mix of Hebrew and Greek influence in Judaea at the time.

Historical background to the Bible Jerusalem – about 30 AD In 37 BC Herod the Great ascended to power By the time of the Gospels, Jerusalem had become a marvel of Graeco-Roman architecture. He prepared an extensive redevelopment plan for the city. Credits: Ritmeyer Archaeological Design

Herodian coins This Greek influence was also evident in the architecture of Herod’s building program for Jerusalem. None of Herod the Great’s coins have Hebrew inscriptions, they all have Greek symbols and letters.

The Temple was the centre for much of the commercial and social activity in Jerusalem Five roads converged at this corner of the Temple. Rows of shops were against the south and west walls of the Temple. S.W. corner of the Temple Platform Credits: Ritmeyer Archaeological Design

Reconstruction of the Pool of Bethesda Excavations have shown how Herod expanded Jerusalem’s water supply providing ample for industrial and personal uses. Three small pools with steps were found beside the reservoir. Credits: Ritmeyer Archaeological Design The pool of Bethesda is the site of one of the miracles recorded in the Gospels (John 5)

Pool of Siloam today The moment when tunnelling teams met is recorded on the Siloam inscription. The 1725 feet S-shaped tunnel was cut from both ends and workers met in the middle. Water in the pool of Siloam comes through a tunnel originally cut by Hezekiah about 700 BC. Credits: Ritmeyer Archaeological Design

l Reconstruction of a Herodian Mansion Annas, the High Priest probably lived in this 6,500 square foot mansion. It shows the enormous profits that came from the commercial activity associated with the Temple. There were many more large mansions in the new suburbs to the west of the Temple Platform. Credits: Ritmeyer Archaeological Design

Coins from the time of the Gospels Widow’s mite This coin was the smallest coin used in Judea at the time of Pontius Pilate There came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites Mark 12 v 42

Reconstruction of the High Priest’s Tomb Carved rosette designs in the main chamber were copied from carvings in an entrance to the Temple. The entrance to Annas’ tomb faced the Temple. The entrance to the tomb is copied from one of the principle entrances to the Temple. Credits: Ritmeyer Archaeological Design

Tyrian Didrachm It is ironic that this coin with the god Melqart and the eagle of Zeus was the only one acceptable for the temple tax. This half shekel coin was in use in Judaea at the time of the Gospels. Coins with a human head were against Jewish law

View of the Temple from the Mount of Olives The Temple was an impressive site from the Mount of Olives. The light coloured Jerusalem stone reflected the light from the sun The huge gateway to the Temple porch was 34 feet wide and 65 feet high and the porch stood 172 feet high. Credits: Ritmeyer Archaeological Design

The Temple area today... in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it. Zechariah 12:3