ISRAEL - 2,700-Year-Old Stone Seal Discovered
A stone seal from the Jewish First Temple period, about 2,700 years ago, was discovered near the Southern Wall of Temple Mount, the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) reported.
The “extremely rare and unusual stone seal... bearing a name inscribed in paleo-Hebrew script and a winged figure” is made of black stone and considered “one of the most beautiful ever discovered in excavations in ancient Jerusalem,” excavation directors Dr. Yuval Baruch and Navot Rom said.
The paleo-Hebrew script on the seal says, “LeYehoʼezer ben Hoshʼayahu,” which translates to ‘For Yeho’ezer son of Hosh’ayahu.’
The name “Yehoʼezer” appears in the Bible in its abbreviated form as “Yoʼezer,” who was one of King David’s warriors. Additionally, a similar name, “Azariah ben Hoshʼaya,” is mentioned in the book of Jeremiah and describes events from the First Temple era, around 2,700 years ago.
The discovery of the ancient seal provides new understandings of the influence of the Assyrian Empire on Judah, particularly in Jerusalem, during the First Temple period. The seal, featuring a demon as its insignia, reflects this influence, while the Hebrew script used for the owner’s name, Yehoʼezer, highlights his connection to local Judahite culture.
-www.jpost.com, 29 August 2024
Arno's Commentary
The Assyrian Empire stretched from Egypt in the south, almost to the Black Sea in the north, and the Persian Gulf in the east. It included parts of modern-day Iraq, Iran, Kuwait, Syria, and Turkey.
Many researchers believe that this seal was an amulet, and “This is the first time that a winged ‘genie’—a protective magical figure—has been found in Israeli and regional archaeology.” Assyriologist Dr. Filip Vukosavovic added, “they were considered a kind of protective demon.”
What becomes obvious is that the Jews at that time had already mixed their religion with the heathen. This led to the temple’s destruction in 586 BC by Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon.
In our times, we see Iraq and Iran as the fiercest enemies of the Jews. Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen will not allow a person with an Israeli passport to enter their country. Virtually all Islamic states reject Israel. For example, in the Malaysian passport, it is clearly printed: “This passport is valid for all countries except Israel.”
This is a clear demonstration of Israel’s uniqueness—different from all the other nations on planet earth.
We are reminded of the prophecy of the heathen prophet Balaam: “For from the top of the rocks I see him, and from the hills I behold him: lo, the people shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations” (Number 23:9).
Arno Froese is the executive director of Midnight Call Ministries and editor-in-chief of the acclaimed prophetic magazines Midnight Call and News From Israel. He has authored a number of well-received books, and has sponsored many prophecy conferences in the U.S., Canada, and Israel. His extensive travels have contributed to his keen insight into Bible prophecy, as he sees it from an international perspective.
