Seal impression of King Hezekiah unearthed in Jerusalem
Ouria Tadmor
[From article]
Archaeologists digging just south of Jerusalem's Temple Mount have made a historic discovery, unearthing the first-ever seal impression of an Israelite or Judean king ever exposed in situ in a scientific archaeological excavation.
The discovery, made by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem’s Institute of Archaeology under the direction of Dr. Eilat Mazar during Ophel excavations at the foot of the southern wall of the Temple Mount, is an impression of the royal seal of the Biblical King Hezekiah, who reigned between 727–698 BCE.
Measuring 9.7 X 8.6 mm, the oval impression was imprinted on a 3 mm thick soft bulla (piece of inscribed clay) measuring 13 X 12 mm. Around the impression is the depression left by the frame of the ring in which the seal was set.
The impression bears an inscription in ancient Hebrew script reading: "לחזקיהו [בן] אחז מלך יהדה"//"Belonging to Hezekiah [son of] Ahaz king of Judah."
The script is accompanied by a two-winged sun, with wings turned downward, flanked by two ankh symbols symbolizing life.
[. . .]
King Hezekiah is considered one of Judea's most righteous kings, and is described favorably in the Bible (II Kings, Isaiah, II Chronicles) as well as in the chronicles of the Assyrian kings - Sargon II and his son Sennacherib - who ruled during his reign.
Hezekiah is depicted as both a resourceful and daring king, who centralized power in his hands. Although he was an Assyrian vassal, he successfully maintained the independent standing of the Judean Kingdom and its capital Jerusalem, which he enhanced economically, religiously, and diplomatically.
The Bible relates of Hezekiah that "there was none like him among all the kings of Judah after him, nor among those before him" (II Kings 18:5).
The discovery, made by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem’s Institute of Archaeology under the direction of Dr. Eilat Mazar during Ophel excavations at the foot of the southern wall of the Temple Mount, is an impression of the royal seal of the Biblical King Hezekiah, who reigned between 727–698 BCE.
Measuring 9.7 X 8.6 mm, the oval impression was imprinted on a 3 mm thick soft bulla (piece of inscribed clay) measuring 13 X 12 mm. Around the impression is the depression left by the frame of the ring in which the seal was set.
The impression bears an inscription in ancient Hebrew script reading: "לחזקיהו [בן] אחז מלך יהדה"//"Belonging to Hezekiah [son of] Ahaz king of Judah."
The script is accompanied by a two-winged sun, with wings turned downward, flanked by two ankh symbols symbolizing life.
[. . .]
King Hezekiah is considered one of Judea's most righteous kings, and is described favorably in the Bible (II Kings, Isaiah, II Chronicles) as well as in the chronicles of the Assyrian kings - Sargon II and his son Sennacherib - who ruled during his reign.
Hezekiah is depicted as both a resourceful and daring king, who centralized power in his hands. Although he was an Assyrian vassal, he successfully maintained the independent standing of the Judean Kingdom and its capital Jerusalem, which he enhanced economically, religiously, and diplomatically.
The Bible relates of Hezekiah that "there was none like him among all the kings of Judah after him, nor among those before him" (II Kings 18:5).
[. . .]
While the changed Royal administrative symbol imprinted on the King's jars used the motif of a sun with wings extended to the sides, Hezekiah's personal changed symbol had a sun with sheltering wings turned down and a life-symbol at the end of each wing. This special addition of the symbol of life may support the assumption that the change on the King's personal seal was made after Hezekiah had recovered from the life-threatening illness of shehin (II Kings 20:1-8), when the life-symbol became especially significant for him (ca. 704 BCE).
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/204294#.Vl7tOL9Q7DA
Jerusalem: Incredible archaeological find brings Bible to life
Archaeologists unearth seal of King Hezekiah of Judea near Temple Mount - shedding new, exciting light on the Bibilical narrative.
By Ari Soffer
First Publish: 12/2/2015, 1:26 PM
https://youtu.be/SW8HM9RQYlI
Jerusalem: Incredible archaeological find brings Bible to life
Archaeologists unearth seal of King Hezekiah of Judea near Temple Mount - shedding new, exciting light on the Bibilical narrative.
By Ari Soffer
First Publish: 12/2/2015, 1:26 PM
https://youtu.be/SW8HM9RQYlI
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