ISRAEL - New History of Jerusalem
Researchers in Israel are re-writing the history of Jerusalem after advances in carbon dating have allowed them to create a timeline of its construction with greater accuracy than ever before.
They now believe that much of the ancient city’s expansion actually took place at least a century earlier than previously thought, and have been able to link archaeological findings from the City of David archeological site to events described in the Bible.
As a result, they were able for the first time to scientifically reconstruct the history of Jerusalem from 1200 BCE—before the days of King David and Solomon—to the Babylonian destruction in 586 BCE.
Their discovery challenges the idea that Jerusalem was constructed during the 350 years when the kings of Judah reigned.
“Until now, most researchers have linked Jerusalem’s growth to the west, to the period of King Hezekiah—just over 2700 years ago, following the Assyrian exile,” said Prof. Yuval Gadot of TAU.
“However, the new findings strengthen the view that Jerusalem grew in size and spread towards Mount Zion already in the 9th century BCE, during the reign of King Jehoash, 100 years before the Assyrian exile.”
-www.israel21c.org, 6 May 2024
Arno's Commentary
Want to know about Jerusalem? Just read the Bible.
While we highly respect archaeological findings, we have noticed during the last few decades how different dates are published by archaeological research teams.
However, Jerusalem is significant and must be placed on a much higher level than any other city in world history. The Bible targets the spiritual side, which is the real thing. When it comes to Jerusalem, there is a copy—a heavenly one. “And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband” (Revelation 21:2). Verse 27 lists those who are excluded: “And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”
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.
