New Revelations from Bible Lands Museum Exhibit

September 9, 2016

Why is a museum exhibit opening significant to both modern Jews and the worldwide Jewish diaspora?

Bible Lands Museum Jerusalem calls their new exhibit "In the Valley of David and Goliath," and it invites visitors to go back in history to the time of Israel's greatest King.

The exhibit opened to highlight 3,000 year-old artifacts from Khirbet Qeiyafa, which could be a biblically significant city mentioned in the story of the battle of David and Goliath.

One thing is for sure, these priceless finds affirm the existence of a Davidic city in the 11th Century BC.

Bible Lands Museum Jerusalem

The Elah Valley, where this particular historical dig resides, once divided the lands of the Israelites and the Philistines. Two inscriptions discovered there became instantly significant. They are written in the Canaanite script on a jar and a pottery fragment, and they may be the earliest known example of Hebrew writing.

The centimeter-high script retains some of the pictographic elements of the earliest Hebrew writing — the aleph has the horns of a bull, the bet looks like a house, and the ayin a staring eye. As recently as five years ago, there were no known Judean inscriptions from the period associated with King David; now there are four, including those of this ancient city.

What researchers found at the site is perhaps only equaled by what they did NOT find. The absence of cultic icons and shrines is evidence that the inhabitants observed a ban on graven images—very different from the idolatrous practices of the surrounding Philistine culture.

Carbon dating of cooked olives revealed the city was occupied during the time when David would have fought the giant Goliath, and the location of the city certainly supports what is written in the Bible.

Once again we see exciting historical evidence coming together to echo the history of the Jewish people, the relevancy of the Bible, and the origins of our writing. As this ministry continues to hold up the Bible as a historical narrative for Jews everywhere and the true testament of Yeshua, it is discoveries like this that prove to the world that the Bible can be trusted. Your support of our work means even more now as these scientific revelations confront global ideologies opposed to Jews and to God’s Word. When you support Jewish Voice, you help us share the truth of God’s Word through our television program, print media, and humanitarian outreach to needy people throughout the world. Please help us carry on this vital work by clicking on the Donate button below.

To thank you for your gift of $40 or more today, we’d like to send you Psalms of the Heart, a book/CD set with inspiring Bible psalms written in English, Hebrew, and the Hebrew transliteration as well as narrated over divine melodies performed on the world renowned King David’s Harp.

Your support means so much, and we are so grateful for you. Please continue to stand with Jewish Voice to reach the Jew first, but also the entire globe with God’s love and mercy. Thank you!

Share this article

More Posts

Shabbat – A Gift from the Lord

The following is excerpted and condensed from the booklet Shabbat: A Sacred Rhythm of Rest, by Jewish Voice Ministries International.

Jonathan Bernis Health Update

Thank you for praying with us!

Jewish Voice Statement on the Crisis in Israel

From Jonathan and Ezra

We are saddened by the passing of Marion Gordon “Pat” Robertson

The Body of Messiah lost a spiritual giant

Gil Kaplan – At Home with the Lord

Profound. Mature. Thorough and challenging. Those words describe the faithful and diligent teaching of Gil Kaplan. Perhaps even more moving are the words used to recount the nature of this man of truth: Humble. Genuine. Encouraging.

Passover Day 8 – Saved to Glorify God

The word glorify has several related meanings. One indicates that when we glorify God, we worship or praise Him. Another meaning is to reveal God as glorious. Yet another definition of glorifying is to light up or shine.