Page 16 - Holyland Magazine - 2025 Edition

WRITTEN IN STONE
The enduring legacy of the Jewish connection to Israel
AnaRina Bat Tzion Kreisman
The last year and a half has been
difficult, and yet Israel has felt narrative itself. Exploring these artifacts,
tremendous love and ongoing
support from her allies and
friends who rallied to her aid,
visiting and volunteering with open hearts
and hands.
But with it came difficult questions from the
outside world. So how do you answer those
who ask about the Jews and their right to
live and defend their Homeland?
One word: Covenant.
The Bible states it so clearly. But not
everyone lives by faith, you say. So, let the
ancient enemies of Israel come and educate
the modern ones.
Did you know that, ironically, it is the
ancient enemies of Israel that confirm the
3,500-year Jewish presence in the land?
Written in clay and stone and displayed
in renowned museums and institutions
16 l HOLY LAND
worldwide. More than the Jewish presence
on the land, archaeology has revealed
tremendous treasures proving the Biblical
most found in the Land of Israel, not only
bolsters and enhances your Bible study but
also serves as a portal to the past, spiriting 19 and 2 Kings 12) who led the Arameans
you away to ancient Israel.
Visiting Israel is typically a whirlwind
experience, and it's challenging to retain all "I killed the king of Israel... I slew the king of the
the information you learn while visiting the
sites. Learning about these unearthed truths
beforehand will give you an even deeper
appreciation on your next soulful visit to
Israel.
Spread out on an organized Biblical timeline,
you can now view these amazing artifacts
on our new site, israelintheirland.com. Here
are some of the important ones.
The House of David
Until 30 years ago, there was no physical
evidence that King David existed. Then, in
1993, a stele was discovered in Tel Dan. It
contained the first extra-Biblical reference
to the Davidic Dynasty. Triangulating time,
place, and context, it is most likely that the
stele was written, or in this case edged into
stone, on behalf of the King, Hazael (1 Kings
in battle against the forces of King Jehoram
of Israel, son of Ahab, and King Ahaziah of
Judah. The Tel Dan Stele reads:
House of David."
Proof of King Ahab, Jezebel, Omri and
Jehu
The wicked Ahab, along with King Omri,
is mentioned in the Moabite Stone (also
known as the Mesha Stele), alongside the
Tetragrammaton, or the ineffable and holiest
name of God (Y-H-V-H). Continuing their
wicked streak, Jezebel also gets an innings
with the discovery of a Phoenician Seal
with the Inscription: “Belonging to Jezebel.”
Even King Jehu is mentioned in the Black
Obelisk, a four-sided black limestone stele
Herodian Park. Photo: AnaRina Kreisman