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What Archaeology in Israel Reveals About the Bible

Writer's picture: Hananya NaftaliHananya Naftali

Updated: Jan 5

Far from myth or legend, the Bible is proving to be rooted in the dust and stones of the Holy Land itself. Archaeologists digging in places like Jerusalem, Jericho, and Megiddo have discovered compelling evidence that aligns with stories that for centuries were often dismissed as mere fiction.


4th century Jewish coffin. Discovered at Beth She'arim, on display at the Israel Museum. It was probably made by Phoenician artisans, who added Jewish symbols at the request of the purchaser
4th century Jewish coffin. Discovered at Beth She'arim, on display at the Israel Museum. It was probably made by Phoenician artisans, who added Jewish symbols at the request of the purchaser (Shutterstock)

1. The House of David: A Dynasty Made of Stone


For generations, skeptics debated whether King David was a real historical figure or simply a legendary character, invented to give Israel a more illustrious history.


One of the seminal works on this viewpoint is Thomas L. Thompson's The Historicity of the Patriarchal Narratives (1974), where Thompson, a prominent minimalist, argued that figures like David were likely fictional. Scholars like Philip R. Davies and Niels Peter Lemche also supported this view, pushing for a reassessment of biblical figures as mythological rather than historical.


Then, in 1993, an inscription was discovered at Tel Dan, a site in northern Israel, that changed everything. This basalt inscription, which dates back to the 9th century BCE, explicitly mentions the “House of David” and “King of Israel,” making it the earliest extra-biblical evidence of King David’s dynasty.


This discovery was monumental because it brought clarity to a longstanding debate. Not only does it confirm David’s existence, but it solidifies his role as the head of a dynasty significant enough to be documented by neighboring cultures. The Bible describes David as a warrior, poet, and leader after God’s own heart. The House of David inscription reminds us that he was also a real king, not just a symbol but a man who left a lasting legacy.


This Aramaic inscription, dated to ca. 841 BCE, contains the phrase mlk bytdwd, meaning "king of the house of David." This was the first time outside of the Bible that an ancient historical source referred to Israel's most famous king.
This Aramaic inscription, dated to ca. 841 BCE, contains the phrase mlk bytdwd, meaning "king of the house of David." This was the first time outside of the Bible that an ancient historical source referred to Israel's most famous king. (Liadmalone, Wikimedia)


2. The Tel Hazor Ruins: A Canaanite City Destroyed


The Bible recounts how Joshua led the Israelites in battles to claim the Promised Land, and among those conquests was the destruction of Hazor. According to Joshua 11:10-11, Hazor was burned to the ground by Joshua’s forces. So, what does archaeology reveal? In the ruins of Hazor, layers of charred rubble and scorched walls from around 1250 BCE point to a catastrophic event that aligns precisely with the biblical account.


Excavations show that Hazor, once a massive and influential city, experienced widespread destruction. Archaeologists found evidence of a great fire that ravaged the city at the time that coincides with the biblical conquest period. These remnants of fire and destruction support the biblical narrative that Hazor fell to the Israelites, a sign of God’s promise to His people as they settled in the land.


Tel Hatzor, a national park in the Hula Valley
Tel Hatzor, a national park in the Hula Valley, new findings in 2012 suggest historical links to the conquest of Israel by Joshua (LeehuZysberg, Wikimedia)

3. The Siloam Tunnel: Hezekiah’s Engineering Feat


In the Book of Kings and the Book of Chronicles, we read about King Hezekiah, who prepared Jerusalem for an impending Assyrian siege by fortifying the city and securing its water supply. To do this, Hezekiah ordered the construction of a tunnel that would bring water from the Gihon Spring to the Pool of Siloam inside Jerusalem’s walls (2 Kings 20:20). What’s remarkable is that Hezekiah’s Tunnel is still there today, a 1,750-foot-long engineering marvel carved out of solid rock, exactly as the Bible describes.



Hezekiah's Tunnel
Hezekiah's Tunnel, (Tamar Hayardeni, Wikimedia)

The tunnel even has an inscription, known as the Siloam Inscription, carved by the workers themselves. It celebrates the moment when two teams of diggers, starting from opposite ends, met in the middle — an incredible feat of ancient engineering and a testament to the biblical narrative. Hezekiah’s Tunnel isn’t just a story; it’s an enduring structure that showcases both the Bible’s historical detail and the remarkable resilience of the people who trusted God in times of danger.


4. Lachish: Defending the Kingdom of Judah


Lachish was one of the most important cities in the Kingdom of Judah and a fortress against invaders. The Bible tells us that during King Hezekiah’s reign, the Assyrians, led by King Sennacherib, invaded and captured Lachish. The Book of Kings (2 Kings 18:13-17) describes how Sennacherib’s forces besieged the city, marking a devastating loss for Judah.


A painted pottery found in Lachish
A painted pottery found in Lachish, 13th century BC (Wikimedia)

Archaeologists have unearthed the ruins of ancient Lachish, complete with evidence of the Assyrian siege ramps that were built to breach the walls. Moreover, in Nineveh (modern-day Iraq), Sennacherib’s palace reliefs were found, depicting his conquest of Lachish in brutal detail. These reliefs align with the biblical description of Lachish's fall, showing it as a tragic but very real event in the history of the Kingdom of Judah. It’s not just in the Bible; it’s etched in stone in the ruins of Lachish and Sennacherib’s palace alike.


5. The Merneptah Stele: A Pharaoh Acknowledges Israel


One of the earliest known mentions of Israel outside the Bible is on a monument erected by Pharaoh Merneptah around 1207 BCE, known as the Merneptah Stele. This Egyptian victory stele includes a line declaring that “Israel is laid waste; his seed is no more.” Though it boasts of Israel’s destruction, it’s the acknowledgment of Israel’s existence as a distinct people that makes it so significant.


The Merneptah Stele is vital evidence of Israel’s early presence in the region, countering theories that Israel’s history was exaggerated or invented in later periods. Here, we have an ancient Egyptian source that explicitly names Israel as a people already established in the land. It supports the biblical narrative of Israel as a unique, identifiable nation.


Closeup of the Merenptah Stele, mentioning ysrỉꜣr ("Israel") on Line 27
Closeup of the Merenptah Stele, mentioning ysrỉꜣr ("Israel") on Line 27, Wikimedia

6. The City of David: Jerusalem’s Ancient Heartbeat


Jerusalem’s history is foundational to the Jewish Bible, and at the heart of it lies the ancient City of David. Excavations in this area have uncovered a host of findings that correspond to the biblical accounts of Jerusalem during the reigns of King David and his successors. Archaeologists have found remnants of monumental buildings, including large stone structures and administrative buildings, suggesting the presence of an organized and significant urban center during David and Solomon's time.


These finds align with biblical descriptions of Jerusalem as a strategically important capital. Among the discoveries are seals with names of officials mentioned in the Book of Jeremiah, further tying the site to specific figures and events from the Bible. It’s as if the stones themselves are whispering, “This is the Jerusalem of David, Solomon, and the prophets.”


VIEW OF JERUSALEM FROM THE HILL OF OPHEL (PRESENT DAY CITY OF DAVID SITE). (COUTESY OF AMERICAN COLONY).
VIEW OF JERUSALEM FROM THE HILL OF OPHEL (PRESENT DAY CITY OF DAVID SITE). (COUTESY OF AMERICAN COLONY).


7. Shiloh: The First Sanctuary of Israel


Before Jerusalem, Shiloh was the religious center of Israel. The Bible tells us that the Tabernacle stood in Shiloh for over 300 years, from the time of Joshua until the Ark of the Covenant was captured by the Philistines (not the Palestinians). Archaeologists working at Tel Shiloh have discovered artifacts dating back to this period, including remnants of storage facilities that may have been used to store tithes and offerings.


In addition, large-scale evidence of destruction was found, possibly matching the biblical account of Shiloh’s fall. Joshua 18:1 mentions, “The whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled together at Shiloh, and set up the tabernacle of the congregation there.” Shiloh was the heart of Israel’s worship life, and its ruins stand as a witness to the Bible’s depiction of a holy place, built and destroyed, but never forgotten.


Star of David on the floor of a Byzantine church discovered at the beginning of the 20th century in Shiloh
Star of David on the floor of a Byzantine church discovered at the beginning of the 20th century in Shiloh (Michael Jacobson, Wikimedia)

Conclusion:


The Bible doesn’t just tell stories; it records the history, struggles, triumphs, and faith of a real people in a real land. Archaeology in Israel serves as a bridge between faith and fact, revealing that the Bible is not only spiritually profound but historically accurate. The Jewish Bible isn’t just religious doctrine; it’s a historical document supported by artifacts, structures, and inscriptions that testify to its truth.


In Psalm 102:14, it says, “For Your servants take pleasure in her stones, and show favor to her dust.” The stones and dust of Israel do more than lie silent. They declare the history and promises of God, recorded in the Bible and now rediscovered through the science of archaeology. These discoveries should challenge anyone who doubts the Bible’s authenticity and inspire those who believe. Each finding strengthens our trust that the land and the Book tell the same story, one of a chosen people and a timeless covenant.

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©2024 by Hananya Naftali.

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