Israel's Archaeological History

 This post was prompted mostly by the myth that Israel spoke Aramaic in much of ancient times. There is even a saying that Paul was speaking Aramaic in Acts 22 and the KJV translators erroneously translated it to Hebrew.

This is not what the Bible states, nor is it what archaeological finding suggest.

Anthropologically speaking, all artifacts found around Israel that relates to the Jews are written in Hebrew.

The Old Testament was written by Hebrew Priests and Prophets in the Jewish language (Hebrew), with the exception of most of the chapters in Daniel. The reason offered, for the book of Daniel being in Aramaic, is that in 606 BC Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon came in and took the Jews captive to Babylon. Daniel and other young Jewish men were placed in the king's service and taught the King's language during that time (Daniel 1:1-4). Since the king of Babylon spoke Aramaic, that became the default language of Daniel. Another portion of Scripture came to mind as I studied [I believe the Scripture was brought to mind by the Holy Spirit, to whom I turn, first and foremost, for understanding of the Scriptures (John 16:12-14)]; God told Daniel (12:8-10) that the prophecy of his visions was to be sealed from man’s understanding until “the time of the end“. 

When the Jews were in bondage in Egypt, when they were living in Ancient Israel, when they were in captivity in Assyria, Babylon, and during the Roman occupation of the land of Israel, the Hebrew people spoke both their Hebrew language and the language of their oppressors/conquerors. This continued through the dark ages and until present time. The Jewish people in the dispersion spoke both Hebrew and the language of the country in which they lived. Russian Jews spoke both Russian and Hebrew. German Jews spoke both German and Hebrew. American Jews spoke both English and Hebrew. For devout Jews, this is still true. 

Mr Miller was a Jew in the concentration camps of Germany during World War II. Being an orthodox, he was only allowed to read the Scriptures in Hebrew. When he explained to his Rabbi that they were unavailable to him in that language, the Rabbi said that he could read the King James Version of the Old Testament because it was the closest translation to the originals. He was forbidden to read the New Testament. Through God's mercy, and his own piqued curiosity, he did eventually read the New Testament and came to know Christ as his Savior. 

Why would they be forbidden to read the Bible in any language except Hebrew if it had been originally translated into Aramaic? Why would the KJV English be the preferred translation if it was erroneously translated?

What archaeological findings have there been? Here are a few.

While it was officially discovered in 2008, the Khirbet Qeiyafa Ostraca (a shard of pottery with writing on it) made the news in 2012 with a new analysis of its text.  Scholars translated one line of the ostraca to read, “The men and chiefs/officers have established a king.”  If this translation is correct, it could be the first reference to King Saul. The text itself is one of the earliest Hebrew inscriptions yet discovered.

In 1993, excavators at Tel Da uncovered an inscription with the word BYTDWD on it. They convincingly argued that the word means “house of David” and dates to the ninth century BC.  The Aramean king who erected the stela in the mid-eighth century B.C. states in neat Aramaic characters, that he defeated the “king of Israel” and the “king of the House of David.”

The Ketef Hinnom scrolls, also described as Ketef Hinnom amulets, are the oldest surviving texts currently known from the Hebrew Bible, dated to 600 BC. The scrolls were found in 1979 in Chamber 25 of Cave 24 at Ketef Hinnom, during excavations and are known as KH1 and KH2. They are written in Paleo-Hebrew characters, not the Aramaic-derived Jewish square script Hebrew alphabet. These amulets were worn around the neck to protect the wearer from evil or to surround the wearer with the name of the Lord for protection. 

 In the Bible, King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah were more than just contemporaries, they were personally close, and their names appear together at least 14 different times. Archaeologist Eilat Mazar and her team have discovered a small seal impression that reads “[belonging] to Isaiah nvy the prophet.” The royal seal of King Hezekiah in the Bible was also found. These were  found with 33 other bullae imprinted from other seals, some bearing Hebrew names. 

In 1838, Edwin Robinson discovered an ancient aqueduct in Jerusalem.  Later, in 1880, some youths who were exploring the aqueduct discovered an ancient Paleo-Hebrew inscription in the wall of the tunnel. The inscription reads: “… this is the story of the tunnel … the axes were against each other and while three cubits were left to (cut?) … the voice of a man … called to his counterpart, (for) there was [a crack?] in the rock, on the right … and on the day of the tunnel (being finished) the stonecutters struck each man towards his counterpart, ax against ax and flowed water from the source to the pool for 1,200 cubits.” This inscription is thought to have been made by King Hezekiah's men.

 There were seven scrolls initially found by the shepherd inside of a ceramic jar in a cave near Qumran. Later, researchers and public officials discovered more than 900 other manuscripts in 11 caves in the surrounding area. Located in the West Bank, near the Dead Sea, the first settlement at Qumran dates back about 2,600 years, but archaeologists believe the scrolls were penned between 250 B.C. and A.D. 68. These scrolls include copies of Genesis, Exodus, Isaiah, Kings and Deuteronomy, as well as hymns, calendars and psalms. Some of the works represent the earliest known copies of parts of the Hebrew Bible.

The copper scroll, discovered in 1952, was found alongside the Dead Sea Scrolls in what is now the West Bank in the Palestinian territories. It dates back nearly 2,000 years to a time when the Roman Empire controlled the Qumran settlement. Researchers believe that the scroll, written in Hebrew, might describe a treasure that was hidden by locals to keep it out of the hands of Roman forces during the area's frequent revolts against the empire.

An 11-year-old girl  found the rare coin while sifting through ancient dirt during a family-friendly “archaeological experience” done in coordination with the City of David and Emek Tzurim National Park in Jerusalem.  The coin was engraved with “Second Year,” indicating that it was used during the second year of the Great Revolt of the Jews against the Roman empire between 67-68 AD. On the other side of the coin is an inscription marking the headquarters of the High Priest, and next to it appears in ancient Hebrew the words, “Holy Jerusalem.” It is marked on one side with a cup and the letters “shin” and “bet,” indicating it was minted during the second year of the uprising (67 or 68 AD)

The En-Gedi Scroll is an ancient Hebrew parchment found in 1970 at Ein Gedi, Israel. Carbon-14 tests had dated the scroll to between 210-390 AD. Paleographic analysis of the style of writing used suggests a first-century date between 50-100 AD. This scroll was discovered to contain a portion of the biblical Book of Leviticus. Michael Segal of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem described the scroll as being the earliest evidence of the exact form of the Masoretic Text (Hebrew and Aramaic text).

Third generation archaeologist Eilat Mazar, of Hebrew University, discovered an unusual cache of gold coins and other related artefacts, dating to the seventh century AD.  This is especially significant because it points to a Jewish presence in the area at the time. Mazar points out the chain on the medallion as a clue to its original use.  She explains it was likely an ornament for a Torah scroll. Given the date of the items and the manner in which they were found, Mazar estimates they were abandoned in the context of the Persian conquest of Jerusalem in 614 AD.

The idea that Aramaic was the prevalent language of the Jews is a fallacy brought about by “scholarly” people who wanted to prove that they were more smarter and more ‘godly’ than our ancestors. The original translators of the King James Bible were highly educated men who spoke many languages including Hebrew, Greek, Latin, and more. They were humble and believed not only in the mercy, love, and grace of God; they also wisely feared the wrath and judgement of THE holy and righteous God that created all things and holds each man accountable to his his written word (Bible, Holy Scriptures) and his Word who became flesh, the only BEGOTTEN Son of God, The Lord Jesus Christ. So, they collaborated humbly and in sincerity, for years, to determine the translation of each and every text, as they were led by the Holy Spirit. Research just how amazingly smart and well-educated these men were, yet read their own testimony (in the preface of the King James Bible) of humility before God! Compare that to the arrogance of the self-declared wise and “godly” men who offer “better word” choices and ‘what God was trying to say’ doctrines, based on their own touted scholarship - NOT on the leading of the Holy Spirit. Not to mention the myriad words, phrases, and entire verses left out of the modern translations show that it was not the leading of the Lord, nor of His will to remove certain parts of Scripture that mankind today would find offensive.

Going back to the historical and anthropological evidence, I pose the following queries. 

    *Why would the Jewish people retain their language throughout 400 years in Egypt and during all the years of being in subjection to multiple Palestinian nations, only to lose it in the Babylonian captivity? 

     *Why would Jews speak Aramaic throughout the Roman occupation when the Romans forced their subjects to speak Koine (pronounced, coin-A) Greek? Is that not a repeated Satanic attempt to destroy God’s chosen nation by forcing assimilation into a strange/foreign (Gentile) culture (Exodus 11:7, Deuteronomy 7:6-8, 1 Kings 8:53, Ezra 10:11)? 

     *Finally, why would the Jews, so proud their lineage (sons of Abraham), pick up the Greek language during the Roman occupation and abandon the language that their ancestors spoke for almost a thousand years, only to pick Hebrew back up when they dispersed into other countries? They would not, and they did not. Jews spoke their Hebrew language from the days of Abraham, as well as the language of any people who were in power at any given time. 

Seasons of Life (video sermon)

God’s Hall of Fame (poem)

Your name may not appear down here,

In this world’s hall of fame

You may be so unknown

Few even know your name

Fame and fortune pass you by

And are given to a few,

But if you love and serve the Lord

Then there is good news for you.

This Hall of fame is only good

As long as time shall be;

But keep in mind, God’s Hall of fame

Is for eternity!

To have your name inscribed up there

Is greater yes by far

Than all the Halls of Fame down here 

And every man made star.

This crowd on earth they soon forget

The heroes of the past,

They cheer like mad until you fall,

And that’s how long you last 

But God he never does forget,

And in His Hall of Fame,

By just believing in his Son,

Inscribed you’ll find your name .

I tell you friend I wouldn’t trade

My name however small

That’s written there beyond the stars 

In that celestial hall

For every famous name on earth 

Or glory that they share;

I’d rather be an unknown here 

And have my name up there.

- Alf Hutchison

A Love That Won't Stop (song)

Safe Travels

 In our modern time, travel has become somewhat of a luxury! We have nice, padded seats, heating and air conditioning, a music player, and many other accommodations that allow us to travel comfortably to our destination in a fraction of the time it generally took people for thousands of years!

The bad part, however, it that people have become impatient. They honk the horn if you don't move the moment the light turns green. They weave in and out of traffic while maintaining high speeds. And they ignore the rules of regulations set by the department of transportation for their safety.

The Bible speaks of this road rage in Nahum 2:4- The chariots shall rage in the streets, they shall justle one against another in the broad ways: they shall seem like torches, they shall run like the lightnings.

While we travel the roads of the country in which we live, we are also taking a trip through life. Road rage can affect us while we are moving through life's journey, too.

To make life a little easier, I'm going to give you a few tips to help you navigate safely.

1) Prepare for your trip.

Too many people like to wait until the last minute to get things packed and ready to go. And in doing so, they often forget things. There are others who like to be spontaneous in their decisions and then find themselves in need of items that they wouldn't have been without had they just planned.

Life takes planning, too. We should plan for large purchases, career choices, children, marriage, retirement, and much more!

Luke 14:28-30- For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.

The most important thing you should plan for is your afterlife. Everyone will die. That is a guaranteed fact! Where your soul ends up is a choice that you must make now, before death.

Romans 6:23- For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

You didn't choose your first birth. You didn't choose your parent. You didn't even get to choose what you looked like.  It happened to you without your consent. Just like being born a sinful human cursed with the cost of sin- death.

II Timothy 1:8-10- Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:

The good news is that the second time around is your choice! You get to choose to accept Christ as your Savior. You get the choice to have His payment applied to your sin debt in heaven. And you, and you alone, get to choose whether you go to heaven or hell after your journey through this life has expired.

I Corinthians 15:1-4- Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

If you don't know how to do this, just believe the gospel that Christ died for your sin proving that He was fully man, was buried, and rose again the third day proving that He was fully God. Believe that His blood shed during His death is the payment required for your soul, and ask Him to apply that payment to your account.

There are people who ask, "Why would a loving God send someone to hell?" But they don't understand that they are already on the way to hell. God made a way for them to go to heaven by getting things right with Him before they die.

2) Maintain your vehicle.

How many times has someone gotten stranded because they didn't properly maintain their vehicle? Bald tires, no oil filter or air filter change, low fluids, and many other things must be continuously monitored and replaced to keep the vehicle operating smoothly.

The same goes with the Christian life. Once we are saved it's not a "now I can do as I please" type of life. We need to read our Bible and pray for daily maintenance. Sometimes we sin, and we need to confess that sin to repair our relationship.

I Peter 2:2- As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

II Timothy 1:11-12- Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power: That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

II Peter 3:18- But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

Hebrews5:12-14- For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Some people think that they have nothing to lose if they live their life the way want to. After all, their soul's destiny is certain, what is there left to lose? The answer is plenty! You can lose time, peace, health, and more. Repair your relationship learn to grow as a Christian, don't remain a baby.

3) Refuel often.

Running out of gas in not fun! You find yourself stuck, walking while berating yourself, and then feeling foolish hoping the gas station has a gas can you can borrow to fill up so that you can make it there to fill your tank.

Sometimes as Christians, we feel like we are running on empty. Life is hard. Patience wears thin. Troubles seem insurmountable. And then our faith waivers. We need to get back in fellowship with God and His people and get recharged to continue!

Isaiah 40:31- But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Philippians 3:17- Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

Hebrews 10:25- Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

4) Pay attention to the rules of the road.

How many times have you gotten a ticket because you didn't notice the signs posted? The speed limit changes, or you can't make a u-turn, or perhaps you just didn't feel like staying behind that slow person so you passed when there was a solid line.

Rules are there to keep us safe. God also has rules that He would like Christians to follow so that they might walk a godly path and fight a good warfare. There aren't there to keep us from having fun. On the contrary, they are there to keep us from the consequences of sin!

I Timothy 1:8- But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;

II Corinthians 13:7- Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates.

We are not victims of circumstances. We get to make our own choices. God never forces anyone!

5) Don't allow distractions to make the trip dangerous.

I'm not a statistician, so I have no idea how many wrecks are caused by people focused on something other than the road, but I do know that it's a good percentage of all accidents. Getting your focus off where you are going and onto something else can make your journey rather precarious- you could run off the road, hit a curb or guard rail, or crash.

During this life there will be many things that demand your attention. Some are necessary things like children, some are unnecessary. I have a statement on my bedroom wall that reads "The devil doesn't always tempt with sin; sometimes he distracts us with duties, hinders us with obligations, or allures us with something good to keep us from service to our Lord".

Colossians 2:4- And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.

Galatians 5:7- Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?

I Corinthians 8:9, 12- But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.

The devil works in many different ways and through many different people, even Christians! Don't fall prey to his devices.

6) Take time to refresh yourself.

I know some people who can fall asleep at the drop of a hat. It's a nice quality when you're in your pajamas tucked neatly in bed. It's not desirable when you are behind the wheel!

If you find yourself getting tired, pull over and get some coffee or take a small nap in a well-lighted parking lot! Don't be an unnecessary danger to yourself and others because you don't want to take a small break.

Christians sometimes need to take a step back and refresh their spirits. It could be a furlough from the mission field or ministry, it could be a small revival meeting, it could be a vacation away from all the responsibilities of life. However it comes about, the Lord wants His people to take a moment to breathe!

Mark 6:30-31- And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught. And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.

II Thessalonians 1:7- And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,

Acts 9:31- Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.

Psalm 37:7- Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

7) Make repairs as needed.

Maintenance is general upkeep. But every now and again, something breaks. This will require repair. Normally you are rather surprised by these events. It's not something like tires that you can see wearing down. It's tucked away where no one notices until it's too late!

Things happen in our lives of which we aren't always fully aware. When the thing comes crashing to our attention or screeches our lives to a halt, we need to be wise enough to take the time to make repairs. Preachers and missionaries are probably the most guilty of ignoring this one! Taking a little time to work on yourself is not a bad thing! Even God rested on the seventh day of creation.

II Kings 12:5- Let the priests take it to them, every man of his acquaintance: and let them repair the breaches of the house, wheresoever any breach shall be found.

I Corinthians 9:27- But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

Ephesians 4:23- And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

You can't help others if you are too worn out. There is not one verse in the Bible that says you can't take a break; just make sure you don't quit.

8) Expect other drivers to try to run you off the road.

I always get very sad when I hear of fatalities because of aggressive drivers. They think they own the road and can do as they please with no regard for anyone else.

Unfortunately, this isn't limited to the roads. The most opposition many will face on this journey is from other so-called Christians. It's not a new occurrence. Christ was betrayed by his close friend. Paul had those who tried to ruin his ministry. And you, too, will be hurt by those that you should be able to trust the most.

Try not to lay that to God's account. His people fail Him just as much as they fail each other!

II Corinthians 11:13-15- For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

Acts 20:29-30- For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

Galatians 1:6-7- I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 

Galatians 3:1- O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?

Not all who profess Christ are Christians. Others are worldly and carnal, and dangerous to hang around.

Even though we know this life will be fraught with troubles, we can rest assured that Christ will fulfill His promises. By taking heed to what He has written in His word we can make the trip a little less hazardous and a lot more peaceful and joyous!