Archeologists recently unearthed a unique ancient seal in the City of David National Park in Israel.  Researchers discovered a rare stone seal from the first temple period, one of the oldest relics to have been found in Israeli excavations.  Reportedly, the stone affirms a biblical account of Jerusalem dating back 2,700 years ago.

“The seal, made of black stone, is one of the most beautiful ever discovered in excavations in ancient Jerusalem, and is executed at the highest artistic level,” Dr. Yuval Baruch and Navot Rom, excavation directors, stated in a press release about the discovery of the seal.

He added context surrounding the design on the stone, noting its importance for the time period it originated from. “The figure of a winged man in a distinct Neo-Assyrian style is unique and very rare in the glyphic styles of the late First Temple period.  The influence of the Assyrian Empire, which had conquered the entire region, is clearly evident here.”

Baruch further outlined the implications of the seal regarding literacy in the time period.  “Contrary to what may be commonly thought, it seems that literacy in this period was not the realm only of society’s elite.  People knew how to read and write – at least at the basic level, for the needs of commerce.”

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The press release continued described the seal’s design where a “figure raises one arm forward, with an open palm; perhaps to suggest some object it is holding. On both sides of the figure an inscription is engraved in paleo-Hebrew script – “LeYehoʼezer ben Hoshʼayahu.”

The statement further noted, “The name Yehoʼezer is familiar to us from the Bible (Chron. I 12:7) in its abbreviated form – Yoʼezer, one of King David’s fighters,” while also stating that “in the book of Jeremiah (43:2), describing the events of this very period, a person is mentioned with a parallel name, ʼAzariah ben Hoshʼaya. The two parts of his first name are written in reverse order to the seal owner’s name, and his second name is the same, appearing in its abbreviated form. This writing form in the text fits the name on the newly discovered seal and it is thus appropriate for this time period.”

In a statement to Fox News Digital, Ze’ev Orenstein, director of International Affairs for the City of David Foundation said, “This singular find joins the list of countless archeological discoveries in the City of David – the historic site of Biblical Jerusalem – affirming Jerusalem’s Biblical heritage.”  He further added, “It similarly serves as yet another affirmation of the thousands-of-year-old bond rooting the Jewish people in Jerusalem – not simply as a matter of faith, but as a matter of fact.