10th Century Hebrew Inscription Found In Elah Valley

[maklelan]

Several blogs are reporting that a four or five line Hebrew inscription from the 10th century (David's time period) was found in the Valley of Elah (or Khirbet Qeiyafa). Elah was where the Israelites camped when David fought Goliath. The inscription hasn't been published yet, and no one is saying exactly what it says, but Aren Maeir, a noted Israeli archaeologist who presented at BYU last year, had this to say about it:

This absolutely fantastic, fortified Iron Age site (late Iron I/early Iron IIA) has a very nice assemblage of pottery, and what may be the most important Iron Age Semitic inscription found in Israel in the last decade! (to be published by Haggai Misgav of the Hebrew University).

I can't give details about it, but OH BOY - this is going to be VERY INTERESTING!!!!

Clearly, the site, its dating, the finds, and their significance, will be of paramount importance in the discussions of the Iron Age southern Levant, and just about anything connected to it, in the near future.

Based on Yossi's previous track record in publishing excavation results, publications should be appearing soon!

You can follow the excavation here. You can read about the discovery here (the transcription is a joke), here, here, and the original post here. Here is a photo of the potsherd:

[Rommelator]

I already know what it is going to say:

"And it came to pass that I did engrave upon plates of brass the scriptures, yea, even the Law given unto Moses. And I made my record in the language of the Egyptians, for behold, the Lord did show unto me a dream that a mighty man, like unto Moses, yea, one who would understand the language of the Egyptians, should one day take these records and instruct his children in all manners of godliness. And I was shown in a vision that this man, who should come forth to preach against the wicked in that terrible day when Jerusalem should be destroyed by the hands of the Gentiles, would take his children and depart into the wilderness. And I saw that he should cross many waters and find himself in a strange land, and that therefore it was expedient for him to take the records of the Prophets with him as to instruct his children in all manners, yea, and to keep a remembrance, yea and to preserve the language, which consisted of the learning of the Jews and language of the Egyptians. So for this end I made my records of brass and did entrust them with my servants that they might reach the remnant of Israel in the last days."

[maklelan]

I already know what it is going to say:

"And it came to pass that I did engrave upon plates of brass the scriptures, yea, even the Law given unto Moses. And I made my record in the language of the Egyptians, for behold, the Lord did show unto me a dream that a mighty man, like unto Moses, yea, one who would understand the language of the Egyptians, should one day take these records and instruct his children in all manners of godliness. And I was shown in a vision that this man, who should come forth to preach against the wicked in that terrible day when Jerusalem should be destroyed by the hands of the Gentiles, would take his children and depart into the wilderness. And I saw that he should cross many waters and find himself in a strange land, and that therefore it was expedient for him to take the records of the Prophets with him as to instruct his children in all manners, yea, and to keep a remembrance, yea and to preserve the language, which consisted of the learning of the Jews and language of the Egyptians. So for this end I made my records of brass and did entrust them with my servants that they might reach the remnant of Israel in the last days."

But the inscription is four or five lines long. Every Latter-day Saint scholar knows that is the equivalent of fifteen or twenty pages in translation.

[The_Monk]

But the inscription is four or five lines long. Every Latter-day Saint scholar knows that is the equivalent of fifteen or twenty pages in translation.

And with commentary, description of archaeological provenance, bibliography, appendices, photos, hand copy, etc., you're looking at least 3 volumes of 400 pages, probably in German, and $130 each from Brill.

[maklelan]

And with commentary, description of archaeological provenance, bibliography, appendices, photos, hand copy, etc., you're looking at least 3 volumes of 400 pages, probably in German, and $130 each from Brill.

The only thing more aggravating than a book you want from Brill is a book you want from Peeters. Curse them both for putting together such exquisite publications.