The First Mention of Israel
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The Bible and Archaeology: The First Mention of Israel
article by
Mario Seiglie
An archaeological find from the 19th century clearly establishes Israel as a nation inhabiting Palestine in the 13th century BC.
During most of the last century, many liberal critics believed the history of Israel as recorded in the Old Testament was little more than the fabrication of later Jews from around the sixth century B.C. For instance, they believed there was no solid evidence of Israel being a nation at the time of the events described in the biblical book of Judges.
Yet, in 1896, British archaeologist Sir Flinders Petrie found evidence of Israel's existence as far back as 1200 B.C., precisely the time of the events in Judges. In the ruins of an Egyptian temple, he discovered a monument that narrated the military victories of Merneptah, an Egyptian pharaoh. In this beautifully carved pillar, dated around 1207 B.C., the monarch mentions the nation of Israel.
For this reason the monument, technically termed a stele, is called "the Israel Stele." It can be seen in the Cairo Museum. On it Merneptah recorded his victories in Canaan and mentioned Israel as one of his vanquished enemies. This would place the battle during the time of the judges of Israel, when Israel was continually being attacked and invaded by nearby peoples and then liberated by the judges God chose and used to deliver His people.
In the last two lines of the text, the stele mentions four of Merneptah's defeated foes in Canaan: "Ashkelon has been overcome. Gezer has been captured. Yanoam was made non-existent. Israel is laid waste, [and] his seed is not."
The reign of Merneptah is dated around 1212-1202 B.C. By recording his victory over Israel, Merneptah shows that during this time the Israelites were already in possession of the central portion of the land.
Of the other places mentioned on the monument, Ashkelon was one of the coastal cities of the recently arrived Philistines. Gezer and Yanoam were in the lowlands, still under the possession of the Canaanites. As recorded in the Bible, Gezer was not conquered by the Israelites under Joshua. "Nor did Ephraim drive out the Canaanites who dwelt in Gezer among them" (Judges 1:29). Thus Merneptah's statement corroborates that this city was not in Israelite territory.
The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia sums up the findings: "Among Merneptah's conquests in Syria-Palestine is Ysr'r (Egyptian for Y´sr'l), clearly recognizable as 'Israel' . . . Thus the Israel Stele provides a terminus ad quem [limit from which to date] for the presence of the Israelites in Palestine . . ." (Eerdman's, Grand Rapids, 1986, Vol. 3, p. 324). GN
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Keywords: archaeology Israel Stele
Israel, ancient:
Archaeology:
- Archaeology and the City of David
- King David: Man or Myth?
- Archaeology and Genesis: What Does the Record Show? (9/96)
- Archaeology and Genesis: What Does the Record Show?
- Archaeology and the Book of Joshua: The Conquest
- Archaeology and the Book of Judges
- King David's Reign: A Nation United
- The Early Kings of Judah: Miraculous Deliverance
- The Bible and Archaeology - The Kingdom of Judah: Exile and Restoration
- Jesus Christ's Early Ministry
- Jesus Christ's Later Ministry
- The Bible and Archaeology: Jesus Christ's Arrest, Trial and Crucifixion
- The Bible & Archaeology - The Book of Acts: The Church Begins
- Darwinism in the Classroom
- The Bible & Archaeology - The Book of Acts: The Message Spreads
- The Bible & Archaeology - The Book of Acts: Paul's Later Travels
- Archaeology and the Epistles
- The Book of Revelation: History and Prophecy
- The Bible: Myth or History
- A Good News Interview with Bryant Wood, Ph.D.
- Surprising Archaeological Find: Proof of Jesus' Existence?
- Noah's Flood: Serious Problems With Dating Methods
- Noah's Flood: Did It Really Happen?
- The Bible Was Right After All
- Archaeology in Acts, Part 1
- Archaeology in Acts, Part 2: The Message Spreads
- God, Science and the Bible (3/05)
- God, Science and the Bible (7/05)
- God, Science and the Bible (9/05)
- God, Science and the Bible (11/05)
- God, Science and the Bible (1/06)
- A Place Called Megiddo
- God, Science and the Bible (5/06)
- God, Science and the Bible (1/07)
- In the News Jan/Mar 2007
- In the News Apr/June 2007
- Can You Believe the Bible?
- God, Science and the Bible (7/07)
- God, Science and the Bible (9/07)
- God, Science and the Bible (1/08)
- God, Science and the Bible (3/08)
- God, Science and the Bible 11/2008
- In the News... Jan 1999
- In the News... October 2009
- Has Noah's Ark Been Found Buried Under Ice on Mt. Ararat?
- God, Science and the Bible - Discoveries at Goliath's hometown support accuracy of the Bible
- Archaeology, Biology and Megiddo
- Archaeology - Just Google It!
- Zechariah's Tomb?
- Stone Chest From the Time of Christ Authenticated
- Ossuary Verdict: Experts Testify to its Authenticity
- An Ancient Fortress Slowly Yields its Secrets
- Ancient Seal Found in Jerusalem
- Discovered: Artifacts, Possibly from King David's Era
- Discovered: Artifacts Shed Light on Biblical Era
- Jerusalem Reservoir Dates to First Temple Era
- Camels Domesticated As Bible Portrays
- Camel Bones, Abraham, and Archeology
- Newly Discovered Dead Sea Scrolls
- Possible Citadel of Zion Site Found in Jerusalem
- Can We Believe the Gospels?
- Archaeology and the Book of Exodus--Exit From Egypt
- Archaeology and the Book of Joshua--The Conquest
- The Early Kings of Judah--Miraculous Deliverance
- How Archaeology Confirms the Biblical Record
- King David's Reign--A Nation United
- King Solomon's Reign--Israel's Golden Years
- The Red Sea or the Reed Sea?
- Two Jigsaw Puzzles, Two Purposes
- Bible and Archaeology Part 2
- The Bible and Archaeology
- Does Archaeology Confirm the Existence of Specific People Mentioned in the Bible?
- King David's Existence Verified by Inscription
- A Staggering Archaelogical Discovery: The Mighty Assyrian Empire Emerges From the Dust
- Celts and Scythians Linked by Archaeological Discoveries
- The Geography of Celtic-Scythian Commerce
- God, Science and the Bible - Naboth
- Another Temple Mount Battle
- Has Evidence of the Prophet Isaiah Been Found?
- Ring Found Bearing Name of Roman Governor Pilate
- God, Science and the Bible: Roman Crucifixion
- Believe the Bible -- and Its Warnings!
- What Does Archaeology Tell Us About the Bible?
- The Location of Sodom
- Recent Holy Land Finds Support the Biblical Record
- More Proof of the Bible - Mount Ebal Discoveries
- Archaeology and History Confirm Dozens of Biblical Figures
- Recent Archaeological Finds Support the Biblical Record
- More Archaeological Finds Support the Biblical Record
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