2012. 5. 8. 22:21
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Rare 2700-year-old Artifact Confirms that Jerusalem is the Jewish city of the Bible
Shalom Israel,
“He made Mattaniah [Matanyahu], Jehoiachin's uncle, king in his place and
changed his name to Zedekiah.” (2 Kings 24:17)
changed his name to Zedekiah.” (2 Kings 24:17)
Yet another rare find in Jerusalem reveals the long history of the Jewish
People in the Old City of Jerusalem.
People in the Old City of Jerusalem.
The market in the Old City of Jerusalem
A 2700-year-old Hebrew seal from the First Temple period bearing the name
‘Matanyahu’ was recently uncovered near the Temple Mount.
‘Matanyahu’ was recently uncovered near the Temple Mount.
The name is similar to Israel’s current prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu,
and actually shares the same meaning__“Giving to God.”
and actually shares the same meaning__“Giving to God.”
Archaeologist Eli Shukron said both names were “typical of the names in the
Kingdom of Judah in the latter part of the First Temple period__from the end
of the eighth century BCE until the destruction of the Temple in 586 BCE.”
Kingdom of Judah in the latter part of the First Temple period__from the end
of the eighth century BCE until the destruction of the Temple in 586 BCE.”
Indeed, the names are also mentioned several times in the Jewish Scriptures.
“Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel son of Zechariah, the son of
Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah [Matanyahu], a Levite and
descendant of Asaph, as he stood in the assembly.” (2 Chronicles 20: 14)
Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah [Matanyahu], a Levite and
descendant of Asaph, as he stood in the assembly.” (2 Chronicles 20: 14)
“With them were certain Levites__Shemaiah, Nethaniah [Netanyahu],
Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah and
Tob-Adonijah__and the priests Elishama and Jehoram.” (2 Chronicles 17:8)
Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah and
Tob-Adonijah__and the priests Elishama and Jehoram.” (2 Chronicles 17:8)
This seal, which was just uncovered in the Jerusalem
Archaeological Garden near the Temple Mount, is
believed to be from the First Temples period and therefore,
about 2700 years old.
The seal, which measures two centimeters in diameter and is made of semi-
precious stone, is engraved with the name of its owner: “Lematanyah Ben
Ho...”, which means “[belonging] to Matanyahu son of Ho...”.
precious stone, is engraved with the name of its owner: “Lematanyah Ben
Ho...”, which means “[belonging] to Matanyahu son of Ho...”.
Only the first syllable of the name of Matanyahu’s father has survived.
Such personal seals would have been set in a ring and used to sign documents,
in a way that is similar to their use today.
in a way that is similar to their use today.
“To find a seal from the First Temple period at the foot of the Temple Mount
walls is rare and very exciting,” Shukron said.
walls is rare and very exciting,” Shukron said.
“This is a tangible greeting of sorts from a man named Matanyahu who lived
here more than 2,700 years ago.”
here more than 2,700 years ago.”
With its Herodian, Byzantine, and early Arab structures, the Jerusalem
Archaeological Garden next to the Temple Mount has been a veritable gold
mine for archaeologists. This site has been the source of dramatic and even
monumental finds that include the most recent First Temple-era seal.
mine for archaeologists. This site has been the source of dramatic and even
monumental finds that include the most recent First Temple-era seal.
The artifact was found in the rubble on the floor of the remains of a
building dating to First Temple period.
building dating to First Temple period.
The building is an amazing find in itself because it’s the closest structure to
the First Temple found to date in archaeological excavations.
the First Temple found to date in archaeological excavations.
It’s located below the base of a Roman-era drainage ditch, which is beneath
Robinson’s Arch in the Jerusalem Archaeological Garden, adjacent to the
Western Wall of the Temple Mount.
Robinson’s Arch in the Jerusalem Archaeological Garden, adjacent to the
Western Wall of the Temple Mount.
This ancient channel is currently being exposed in Israel Antiquities Authority
archaeological excavations.
archaeological excavations.
Jerusalem
“The moon will be abashed, the sun ashamed; for the Lord Almighty will
reign on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, and before its elders, gloriously.”
(Isaiah 24:22)
reign on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, and before its elders, gloriously.”
(Isaiah 24:22)
Israel-Palestinian Tensions Growing over Prisoners
The recent hunger strike by Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails is being
touted by the international press as a switch to non-violent resistance on the
part of Palestinians.
touted by the international press as a switch to non-violent resistance on the
part of Palestinians.
Since April 17, when the open-ended hunger strike began, the ranks of hunger
strikers have grown to more than 1600 participants.
strikers have grown to more than 1600 participants.
Youth carrying Palestinian flags march through
East Jerusalem in support of Palestinian rights.
Two Palestinian prisoners, Thaer Halahla, and Bilal Diab, who began their
hunger strike before April 17 and have refused to eat for about two months
now, are said to be at risk of death.
hunger strike before April 17 and have refused to eat for about two months
now, are said to be at risk of death.
The specter of these gaunt prisoners, perhaps, evokes the image of Gandhi
and peaceful resistance; however, that comparison is far from the truth, since
the ultimate goal of the Palestinian strike is far from peaceful.
and peaceful resistance; however, that comparison is far from the truth, since
the ultimate goal of the Palestinian strike is far from peaceful.
The goal is the end of the Jewish state.
Last Thursday in Ramallah, 300 women marching in solidarity with the
prisoners revealed the spirit behind the strike as they chanted “Yes for hunger
strike, no to submission” and “Down with the olive branch, long live the
rifle. (New York Times)”
strike, no to submission” and “Down with the olive branch, long live the
rifle. (New York Times)”
On April 27th, the leaders of the Palestinian Islamist terrorist group Hamas,
which rules the Gaza Strip, were joined by other Islamist terror groups in the
Gaza Strip in their call for the abduction of Israelis to be used in
prisoner exchanges.
which rules the Gaza Strip, were joined by other Islamist terror groups in the
Gaza Strip in their call for the abduction of Israelis to be used in
prisoner exchanges.
Of course, they were referring to the recent Gilad Shalit deal, in which
1,027 Hamas and Palestinian prisoners were released at the end of 2011 in
exchange for Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who was abducted in the middle
of 2006.
1,027 Hamas and Palestinian prisoners were released at the end of 2011 in
exchange for Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who was abducted in the middle
of 2006.
Gilad's father (right) and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (left) welcome
Gilad Shalit home after he was held for more than five years in isolation.
Hamas abducted him in 2006 in a cross-border raid via underground tunnels.
"We should work hard to get (Israeli Jewish) prisoners in our hands in order to
secure the freedom of our Muslim prisoners," said Khaled Al-Batsh, a senior member
of the Iranian backed Islamic Jihad faction.
secure the freedom of our Muslim prisoners," said Khaled Al-Batsh, a senior member
of the Iranian backed Islamic Jihad faction.
“I say to all armed factions, the way to free the prisoners is through
swaps.... An arrest for an arrest, and freedom for freedom. This is
the way.”
swaps.... An arrest for an arrest, and freedom for freedom. This is
the way.”
Palestinian leaders of the strike are demanding that the prisoners either be
released or treated as prisoners of war, even though many of them are being
held after being convicted of crimes or terrorist acts.
released or treated as prisoners of war, even though many of them are being
held after being convicted of crimes or terrorist acts.
Palestinian children on their way to school in East Jerusalem: although the
international press often portrays Palestinians as victims of Israeli oppression,
those who choose to live as Arab citizens in Israel lead normal lives. They
enjoy the benefits of a democratic society, including entitlement to municipal
services. Like any other Israelis, they also have the right to vote and hold office.
Palestinian militant factions said they would "never abandon" their terrorist prisoners.
"The swap deal was a message to the (Israeli) occupation that the resistance
and the Palestinian people will pursue every difficult avenue to break the
chains of these heroes," Ismail Haniyeh, the Hamas leader in Gaza, said.
and the Palestinian people will pursue every difficult avenue to break the
chains of these heroes," Ismail Haniyeh, the Hamas leader in Gaza, said.
"We are in a battle for the [arab muslim terrorist] prisoners, and we will either win,
or we Will win,” he said.
or we Will win,” he said.
In other words, they are closer to a 'my way or the highway' attitude
than cooperation.
than cooperation.
Israel, these are not the sentiments of people whose hearts are set on
harmony, and underline the fact that many Palestinian and Hamas leaders
have no interest in peaceful coexistence with Israel.
harmony, and underline the fact that many Palestinian and Hamas leaders
have no interest in peaceful coexistence with Israel.
Hostilities Erupt over Independence Day
While millions of Israelis celebrated Israel’s 64th birthday on Independence
Day with barbecues and parades, many Arabs mourned the “catastrophe” of
Israel’s independence with funeral-like processions, angry speeches and acts
of vandalism against Israeli Jewish symbols like military graveyards and
war memorials.
Day with barbecues and parades, many Arabs mourned the “catastrophe” of
Israel’s independence with funeral-like processions, angry speeches and acts
of vandalism against Israeli Jewish symbols like military graveyards and
war memorials.
There were also a few direct confrontations between Jews and Arabs
surrounding the holiday, and three members of one Jewish family were
hospitalized in one incident.
surrounding the holiday, and three members of one Jewish family were
hospitalized in one incident.
At an Independence Day picnic in the Valley of Ben Hinnom just outside the
walls of Jerusalem's Old City, a gang of Arab youths from the nearby
neighborhood of Abu Tor attacked a family with iron bars, whips and knives.
They shouted at them to leave the area.
walls of Jerusalem's Old City, a gang of Arab youths from the nearby
neighborhood of Abu Tor attacked a family with iron bars, whips and knives.
They shouted at them to leave the area.
As Israeli families got out in the sun to enjoy Israel Independence
Day, some were met with Arab hostility and violence as they
were having picnics with their families.
Yonatan Shukrun, who was wounded at the picnic said, "Eight Arabs, aged 15
to 22, arrived just as we were preparing to leave. At some point they
approached us and tried to reach the little kids __ aged two, eight and 10,"
said Yonatan.
to 22, arrived just as we were preparing to leave. At some point they
approached us and tried to reach the little kids __ aged two, eight and 10,"
said Yonatan.
"When we tried to stop them, they took out a whip and a knife and began
hitting us. I was struck with a club. We managed to protect the women and
children, but it wasn't easy. (Ynet)"
hitting us. I was struck with a club. We managed to protect the women and
children, but it wasn't easy. (Ynet)"
They were taken to the hospital.
In general, relations between Jews and Arabs in Jerusalem have never
been good, but they mostly stay quiet as both groups grudgingly tolerate
the other and acknowledge the mutual economic benefits from cooperation.
been good, but they mostly stay quiet as both groups grudgingly tolerate
the other and acknowledge the mutual economic benefits from cooperation.
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May those who love you be secure.”
(Psalm 122:6)
(Psalm 122:6)
Nuclear Threat: Iran to Return to Negotiations
“Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom . . . these are
the beginning of birth pains.” (Mark 13:7)
the beginning of birth pains.” (Mark 13:7)
The dance between Iran and the international community over the Islamic
Republic’s development of nuclear weapons took an unexpected turn recently
when the UN’s nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA), announced that talks aimed at resolving the clash will resume in
Vienna this coming week (May 13-14).
Republic’s development of nuclear weapons took an unexpected turn recently
when the UN’s nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA), announced that talks aimed at resolving the clash will resume in
Vienna this coming week (May 13-14).
Iran has not held talks of this nature in months, and the last round of
negotiations failed after Iran refused to cooperate.
negotiations failed after Iran refused to cooperate.
The Obama administration has warned Iran that the economic pain will worsen
unless Iranian leaders agree to curb the abilities of Iran’s nuclear facilities
to make nuclear weapons.
unless Iranian leaders agree to curb the abilities of Iran’s nuclear facilities
to make nuclear weapons.
Diplomats speaking on the condition of anonymity said that despite the
apparent willingness to resume talks, Iran has not made any serious efforts at
reconciliation. They said talks might be a tactic to avoid taking action while
it continues its nuclear research and development.
apparent willingness to resume talks, Iran has not made any serious efforts at
reconciliation. They said talks might be a tactic to avoid taking action while
it continues its nuclear research and development.
Iran's president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, inspects one of Iran's nuclear plants.
According to the IAEA, Iran has produced 210 pounds of 20 percent-
enriched uranium (a few steps below nuclear weapon grade) and about six
tons of up to five percent, which is considered the upper end of the range
for most civilian uses.
enriched uranium (a few steps below nuclear weapon grade) and about six
tons of up to five percent, which is considered the upper end of the range
for most civilian uses.
Meanwhile, Israeli, and other Western military forces in the region continue
to be on high alert, with the US having sent minesweepers, CH-53 Sea
Stallion helicopters with mine-detection capability, and F-15 fighter jets.
to be on high alert, with the US having sent minesweepers, CH-53 Sea
Stallion helicopters with mine-detection capability, and F-15 fighter jets.
Israel, while the world’s diplomats struggle to negotiate peace and maintain
a balance of power, the Bible tells us that only the Yeshua the Prince of
Peace can bring effective change to this lost world.
Peace can bring effective change to this lost world.
ISAIAH 2
"In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established
as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills,
and all nations will stream to it. Many peoples will come and say,
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the temple of the God of Jacob.
He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.”
The law will go out from Zion,
the word of the Lord from Jerusalem."