First Evidence of Jewish Worship in David’s Day

August 13, 2012

The dig was located at Khirbet Qeiyafa, adjacent to the Valley of Elah where David fought Goliath, just west of Beit Shemesh. Professor Yosef Garfinkel at the Institute of Archaeology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and colleagues uncovered pottery, stone and metal tools, and many art and religious objects.

According to Garfinkel, “…various suggestions that completely deny the biblical tradition regarding King David and argue that he was a mythological figure, or just a leader of a small tribe, are now shown to be wrong…Over the years, thousands of animal bones were found, including sheep, goats and cattle, but no pigs…This suggests that the population of Khirbet Qeiyafa observed two biblical bans—on pork and on graven images…”

Another distinction is that the three rooms are part of larger building complexes in contrast to the heathen cults that used separate buildings dedicated only to rituals. The religious objects include five standing stones, two basalt altars, two pottery libation vessels, and two portable shrine models. These are boxes in the shape of temples that could be closed by doors.

The clay model is decorated with an elaborate facade, including two guardian lions, two pillars, a main door, beams of the roof, folded textile (curtain), and three birds standing on the roof. Two of these elements are described in Solomon’s Temple: the two pillars (1 Kings 7:21) and the curtain in front of the Ark of the Covenant.

The stone model is made out of limestone, is painted red, and features two design elements. One is a “triglyph,” referring to a grouping of three raised ridges, a popular element in Greek classical temples. The other is a recessed door, a typical symbol of divinity and royalty at that time. Both are shedding light on the meaning of obscure technical terms used in the Bible to describe Solomon’s house, the First Temple, and Ezekiel’s Temple. For the first time in history, we have objects from the time of David that relate to buildings in the Bible.

Source: By Charleeda Sprinkle, Assistant Editor

Photo Credit: The Hebrew University of Jerusalem/Ashernet