Bible discovery: Ancient artefacts found which PROVE Biblical truth

Experts made two rare discoveries of letter seals in the City of David which belonged to people mentioned in the scriptures. The discoveries date back between the sixth and seventh century BC in an area established by King David when he established his capital some 3000 years ago. One of the seals is a clay “bulla” which was used by the rich to sign and seal letters.

The first bulla in question bears the words “(belonging) to Nathan-Melech, Servant of the King”, a name mentioned in the Bible as an official in the court of King Josiah.

According to the passage in Two Kings 23:10, King Josiah re-established Israel’s connection with God and destroyed the nation’s pagan idols.

Dr Anat Mendel-Geberovich of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem said: “The one million-dollar question is am I holding in my hand the bulla of the same Natan-Melech that was mentioned in the Bible?

“Well, I can never say that for certain but what I can say is that there is an overlap of three things: First the name Natan-Melech which is rare.

“Second, the period we’re talking about, the mid-7th century BCE – King Josiah– and third, the fact that we have the title. So Natan-Melech was someone who was close to the King.”

Another bulla was also found which was 2,600 years old and engraved with “Ikar, Son of Matanyahu.”

Dr Mendel-Geberovich said: “The name Matanyahu appears both in the Bible and on additional stamps and bullae already unearthed.

“However, this is the first reference to the name ‘Ikar,’ which was unknown until today.”

Prof Yuval Gadot of Tel Aviv University and Dr Yiftah Shalev of the Israel Antiquities Authority said in a joint statement: “Since many of the well-known bullae and stamps have not come from organised archaeological excavations but rather from the antiquities market, the discovery of these two artefacts in a clear archaeological context that can be dated is very exciting.

“They join the bullae and stamps bearing names written in ancient Hebrew script, which were discovered in the various excavations that have been conducted in the City of David until today.

“These artefacts attest to the highly developed system of administration in the Kingdom of Judah and add considerable information to our understanding of the economic status of Jerusalem and its administrative system during the First Temple period, as well as personal information about the king’s closest officials and administrators who lived and worked in the city.”

source: express.co.uk