“House of David” Reads 2,900-Year-Old Stone Slab

In 1868 researchers excavated a large stone slab, dated to about 2,900 years ago (9^th century BC), called the Mesha Stele (or the Moabite Stone). A year later it was damaged, making part of it unreadable. But before the damage was done, a paper-mache impression (called a “page squeeze”) was completed, giving us an impression of the original words.

This stele is significant in that it references the personal name of the God of the Bible (Yahweh) and describes Moab’s subjection under Omri, one of the kings of Israel. But, even more excitingly, it’s been long thought that this slab also contains an extrabiblical reference to the “House of David,” though, due to an unreadable letter, this interpretation has always been debated.

Well, digital photographs of both the stele and the paper squeeze have been taken using new technology that creates a precise 3-D rendering, allowing researchers to see hidden or very faint inscriptions. These new photos allowed the researchers to decipher three new letters and, according to the study authors, they can now confirm that, yes, the stele does read “House of David.”

We’re not surprised that archaeology once again confirms the Bible’s history!

We’re not surprised that archaeology once again confirms the Bible’s history! The Bible is true from the very first verse, and archaeology, science, and historical research, properly interpreted, will always confirm what we already know based on God’s infallible Word.

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This item was discussed Wednesday on Answers News with cohosts Roger Patterson, Tim Chaffey, and Rob Webb. Answers News is our weekly news program filmed live before a studio audience here at the Creation Museum and broadcast on my Facebook page and the Answers in Genesis Facebook page. We also covered the following topics:

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Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,
Ken

This item was written with the assistance of AiG’s research team.