Another remarkable artifact has been discovered in Jerusalem. Archaeologists have recovered a (bulla) seal with Hebrew inscriptions in a refuse pit.

This seal was found in an ancient rubbish pit of the First Temple period. Gabriel Barkay from Bar Ilan University believes that the inscription reads: גבען למלך , meaning “Gibeon, to the king.” According to Barkay, the inscription may be related to tax collection from the citizens of Gibeon sent to the king in Jerusalem.

According to Duane Smith at Abnormal Interests, Barkay believes that the king who received the taxes was probably Manasseh, the son of Hezekiah.

George Athas has a good report on the inscription.

Duane Smith offers another possible translation for the inscription.

A Hebrew article describing the discovery of the seal is found in Ma’ariv.

These archeological discoveries continue to provide valuable information on the life and culture of the people of Israel during the period of the monarchy.

HT: Duane Smith

Claude Mariottini

Professor of Old Testament

Northern Baptist Seminary