ESSENTIALS for OT Survey (Archaeology)

Question 1

House of David Inscription

Answer 1

Fragments of an Aramaic royal inscription that recounts a
defeat of the kings of Israel and Judah by an Aramean king in the 9th century [Hazael]. Identifies the king of Judah as belonging to the house of David—the only reference to David in contemporary sources outside of the Bible

Question 2

Sennacherib Prism

Answer 2

Royal inscription of the Assyrian king, telling of his siege of Jerusalem at the time of Hezekiah

Question 3

Balaam Text of Deir ‘Allah

Answer 3

Painted text on a plaster wall from the eighth century BC, recording a prophecy of Balaam about the displeasure of the divine council

Question 4

[Black] Obelisk of Shalmaneser III

Answer 4

Royal inscription & relief that record the paying of tribute by Israelite king Jehu and portrays him bowing before the Assyrian king [841 BC]

Question 5

Silver Scrolls

Answer 5

Small, rolled silver amulet containing Numbers 6:24-26—oldest portion of Scripture found (7th century BC)

Question 6

Merneptah Stele

Answer 6

Royal inscription by an Egyptian Pharaoh concerning his conquests from just before 1200. Includes the earliest mention of Israel outside the Bible

Question 7

Hammurabi Stele

Answer 7

Collection of legal sayings from about 1750 BC, gathered by the Babylonian king to demonstrate his wisdom to the gods and the future kings

Question 8

Cyrus Cylinder

Answer 8

Decree written by Cyrus proclaiming freedom of a group of people to rebuild their temple with help from the treasury, just as the Bible indicates he did for Israel