Watch Jerusalem

Coronavirus aside, 2020 was another major year in biblical archaeology. On today’s program, host Brent Nagtegaal and archaeological writer Christopher Eames reveal Watch Jerusalem’s choice of the top discoveries from the past year. These include inscriptions, major building programs and seal impressions – all of which affirm the biblical text as well as key biblical personalities.

President Trump’s Middle East peace deals are redefining the Middle East in an irreversible way. The United States is using its withdrawing presence in the region, coupled with a growing Iranian threat, to pressure Arab states to publicly recognize their relationship with Israel. How will Iran respond? This week, longtime geopolitical thinker George Friedman forecast that “Iran’s move is to adopt the Palestinian cause as its own, and speak to the Arab public in terms of the betrayal of the Palestinians and capitulation to Israel.” This forecast is one that aligns with biblical prophecy. On today’s program, host Brent Nagtegaal discusses how these deals came about, and why they will cause Arab citizens in some countries to rise up in support of Iran. The Bible reveals the revolt will be so strong in Egypt that it will cause that nation to return to Islamist rule in support of Iran’s cause.

King Jereboam II was confirmed as being an historical personality this past week as his name is mentioned on a recently authenticated seal impression. Known as a bulla, the seal impression from 2,800 years ago bears the name of Shema, servant/minister of Jeroboam. The bulla mentioning Jeroboam II highlights the reign of one of the most enigmatic figures in biblical history. Although numbered among the wicked kings of the northern tribes of Israel, Jeroboam II’s history and archaeology bear out that his reign underscored a massive resurgence in the ancient Israelite state. On today’s program, host Brent Nagtegaal discusses details about the newly authenticated bulla, as well the larger context of Jeroboam’s reign. He also compares the reign of the ancient king to the leader of the United States, President Donald Trump.

Shortly after conquering Jerusalem, King David brought the ark of the covenant to the city and placed it near the Gihon Spring. According to the Bible, the ark stayed in that location for almost 50 years while the temple was being constructed. On Sunday, host Brent Nagtegaal toured the area surrounding the Gihon Spring with City of David director of international affairs Ze’ev Orenstein. On today’s show, Brent discusses his visit to the Gihon Spring, including the recent discovery of religious rooms that could have held the ark during the time of King David.

Jerusalem - On Wednesday, the Israel Antiquities Authority announced the discovery of a fortress on the Golan Heights built during the time of King David. Excavators believe the building was part of the kingdom of Geshur, an elusive people who were in league with King David for a time. On today’s program, host Brent Nagtegaal looks at the discovery of the Golan fortress in the context of King David’s reign.

The nation of Israel was bitterly divided when King David came to the throne 3,000 years ago. The kingly dynasty of Saul was finished, and the northern tribes were worried that the Judean King David would not rule fairly. David proved them wrong by establishing a new political and religious capital for the nation. On today’s program, host Brent Nagtegaal details how King David united the nation around the throne and the city that God had chosen. He also shows why God awarded him the most amazing blessing in the Bible.

Once again, Haaretz is using archaeological discoveries to try and debunk biblical history. Their October 30 article, entitled “Israeli Archaeologists Are Uncovering the Lost Legacy of a Cursed Biblical King,” takes aim at the biblical description of King Manasseh, Judah’s longest-reigning king. On today’s program, host Brent Nagtegaal reviews the article and shows a clear misreading of the biblical narrative. In doing so, he also discusses one of the most undervalued stories of repentance in the Bible.

It’s been a long and difficult summer, with coronavirus lockdowns shuttering many in Israel and abroad. One of the victims is the archaeology “industry,” with regular excavations largely grinding to a halt. There has, therefore, been a corresponding lull in archaeological reporting—leading some journalists to write almost humorously grand articles on more “mundane” finds! Nevertheless—despite a summer’s lockdown—in the world of archaeology, you never know what exciting new discovery is about to be unveiled. (The Isaiah bulla a case in point—released eight years after its excavation!) So stay tuned. At Watch Jerusalem, we’ve maintained a steady stream of articles and analyses on past (and even future!) discoveries—everything from a bullae “timeline” to Leviathan to the Tomb of King David. On today’s podcast, host Christopher Eames provides a rundown of some of Watch Jerusalem’s latest archaeology articles, as well as some upcoming pieces (King Ahab’s horses, and a Philistine seal discovered in Ireland). He also summarizes his new three-part series on the ancient Hebrew alphabet—how we English-speakers have come to adopt it as our own.

The Jewish historian Josephus records a chilling event that took place shortly before his own life began. In the account, King Herod and a few of his closest friends secretly raided the tomb of the biblical house of David to find the treasure to fund his extravagant projects. However, just as his men were reaching the very bones of King David and King Solomon, they were killed by a “flame that burst out.” Shaken by the incident, Josephus relates that Herod installed a large white stone monument at the entrance to warn others from entering. Clearly, God intended the discovery of the tombs of David to be preserved for a later time. On today’s program host, Brent Nagtegaal looks at the historical references of the tomb of the kings from both the Bible and secular sources and shows why the discovery of King David’s could be imminent.

“Did God Destroy the Walls of Jericho?,” titled one of Haaretz’s most popular articles this past week. Given the source, you won’t be surprised to find out that the author answers that question in the negative, and even uses archaeological discovery to support that claim. At Watch Jerusalem, we too use archaeology but have come to a different conclusion. On today’s program, host Brent Nagtegaal looks at the claims of Jericho’s destruction, as well as other cases, in the context of the culture of scoffing that exists inside academia and the media against the Bible.