Israeli archaeologists have unearthed a 2,800-year-old pottery shard from the Temple of Solomon containing a Biblical name, the Israel Antiquities Authority announced this week.
This fragment is the handle of a pottery storage jar with the Hebrew name “Menahem” and dates from the end of the First Temple period (8th to 7th century BC). Discovered during excavation.Israel Antiquities Authority “Before the construction of the girls’ school by the city of Jerusalem” Amdo area of Jerusalem Said.
“This important discovery joins similar names discovered in archaeological excavations in the ancient East, especially in Israel. The names Menachem and Inahem are mournful and probably related to the death of a family member. '' said archaeologist Ron Behri, excavation director on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority.
“This is the first time that a bottle handle with this name has been found in Jerusalem,” the group said.
In the Bible, 2 Kings 15:17-20tells of “Menahem son of Gadi” who was king of Israel for ten years. He was one of the so-called “bad kings” of Israel. The Bible says this about him: “He did evil in the sight of the Lord. During his reign he did not turn away from the sin of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which he caused Israel to commit. Then Purul king of Assyria invaded the land; Menahem gave him a thousand talents of silver in order to gain his support and strengthen his control over the kingdom. Menahem collected this money from Israel. The rich man had to contribute fifty shekels of silver.Then the king of Assyria withdrew and remained no longer in the land.”
He was one of the last kings of the northern kingdom of Israel.
It is unclear whether the “Menahem” on the bottle handle is the same as the one in the Bible. Nevertheless, this “Menahem” lived during the time of Solomon's temple and experienced the events described in the Bible.
Solomon's temple was destroyed by the Babylonians.
Photo courtesy of Israel Antiquities Authority.
Michael Faust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His story was published in Baptist Press. Christianity Today, Christian Poecent, of leaf chronicle, of toronto star and of knoxville news sentinel.
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