The term "excavated" refers to the process of digging up and uncovering artifacts, structures, or other historical items from beneath the earth's surface. In the context of biblical archaeology, excavation plays a crucial role in uncovering the physical remnants of ancient civilizations mentioned in the Bible, providing tangible evidence that supports and illuminates the biblical narrative.

Biblical Significance

Excavations in the Holy Land and surrounding regions have unearthed numerous sites and artifacts that correlate with biblical accounts. These discoveries have provided insights into the historical and cultural contexts of the biblical world, affirming the historical reliability of Scripture.

Key Excavations

1. Jericho: One of the most famous biblical excavations is that of Jericho, the city whose walls fell after the Israelites marched around them for seven days (Joshua 6). Archaeological digs have revealed evidence of a collapsed wall, which some scholars associate with the biblical account.

2. City of David: Excavations in Jerusalem, particularly in the area known as the City of David, have uncovered structures and artifacts dating back to the time of King David and Solomon. These findings include the remains of large buildings and fortifications, which align with the biblical description of Jerusalem as a significant city during the united monarchy.

3. Hazor: The ancient city of Hazor, mentioned in Joshua 11:10 as a major Canaanite city conquered by Joshua, has been extensively excavated. Archaeologists have found evidence of destruction layers that some attribute to the Israelite conquest.

4. Megiddo: Known as Armageddon in the New Testament (Revelation 16:16), Megiddo has been the site of numerous excavations. The city's strategic location and extensive fortifications provide a backdrop for understanding its role in biblical history.

5. Qumran: Near the Dead Sea, the site of Qumran is famous for the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls. These ancient manuscripts, which include portions of the Hebrew Bible, have been instrumental in confirming the accuracy and preservation of biblical texts over the centuries.

Artifacts and Inscriptions

Excavations have also uncovered a wealth of artifacts and inscriptions that shed light on biblical events and figures:

· The Tel Dan Stele: This inscription mentions the "House of David," providing extrabiblical evidence for the existence of King David's dynasty.
· The Moabite Stone (Mesha Stele): This artifact recounts the victories of King Mesha of Moab over Israel, paralleling the account in 2 Kings 3.
· The Siloam Inscription: Found in Hezekiah's Tunnel in Jerusalem, this inscription describes the construction of the tunnel, which is mentioned in 2 Kings 20:20.

Impact on Biblical Studies

The process of excavation has significantly impacted biblical studies by providing a wealth of information that helps scholars and theologians better understand the historical and cultural settings of the Bible. These discoveries have reinforced the historical credibility of biblical narratives and have offered new perspectives on the daily lives, religious practices, and geopolitical dynamics of ancient peoples.

Scriptural References

While the Bible does not explicitly mention the act of excavation as understood today, it does reference the uncovering and discovery of hidden things. For example, in Proverbs 25:2 , it is written, "It is the glory of God to conceal a matter and the glory of kings to search it out." This verse highlights the value of seeking and uncovering knowledge, a principle that resonates with the goals of archaeological excavation in biblical lands.(imp. & p. p.) of Excavate.3595. kiyyor -- pot, basin
... Or kiyor {kee-yore'}; from the same as kuwr; properly, something round (as excavated
or bored), ie A chafing-dish for coals or a caldron for cooking; hence ...
/hebrew/3595.htm - 6k

4247. mechillah -- a hole
... Word Origin from chalal Definition a hole NASB Word Usage holes (1). cave. From
chalal; a cavern (as if excavated) -- cave. see HEBREW chalal. 4246, 4247. ...
/hebrew/4247.htm - 6k

3564. kuwr -- smelting pot or furnace
... furnace From an unused root meaning properly, to dig through; a pot or furnace
(as if excavated) -- furnace. Compare kiyr. see HEBREW kiyr. 3563b, 3564. ...
/hebrew/3564.htm - 5k

The Cross and the Winepress.
... dark-complexioned old man, surrounded by immense flocks and herds and a numerous
posterity: his children as well as himself had dwellings excavated in the ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter lv the cross and.htm

The Old Testament and Archeology
... were carried on, and these were confined to the city of Jerusalem; but since 1890
several mounds in southern Palestine have been excavated, the most important ...
/.../the christian view of the old testament/chapter iv the old testament.htm

The Tribunal of Caiphas.
... who left the room by the door on the righthand side saw on the left-hand side of
the court the gate which led to a subterranean prison excavated under the room ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter vii the tribunal of.htm

The Body of Our Lord Placed in the Sepulchre.
... The grotto, which had been newly excavated, had been latterly cleaned by the servants
of Nicodemus, so that the interior was neat and pleasing to the eye. ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter lii the body of.htm

The Discovery of the Life-Bringing Cross and of the Holy
... When by command of the emperor the place was excavated deeply, the cave whence our
Lord arose from the dead was discovered; and at no great distance, three ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of sozomenus/chapter i the discovery of the.htm

Of the Jews; of their Attempt at Building, and of the Heaven-Sent ...
... to strike terror into the hearts of men quite ignorant of God's dealings; and, when
still they were not awed, fire running from the excavated foundations burnt ...
/.../theodoret/the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/chapter xv of the jews of.htm

And Now Let us Proceed to Explain the Reasons for which this ...
... Nay, more than this: they paid divine honors to animals of various species, and
to the most noxious reptiles: they felled trees, and excavated rocks; they ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter xiii and now let.htm

Remorse and Suicide of Judas.
... The potter's field, being excavated for clay, would be of little value, and would
sell cheap.] 8 Wherefore that field was called, the field of blood, unto this ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cxxxii remorse and suicide of.htm

In the Last, the Great Day of the Feast'
... Indeed, the very canal which led from the one to the other, with the
inscription of the workmen upon it, has lately been excavated. ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter vii in the last.htm

Christian Cemeteries.
... Catacombs, however, could not be excavated everywhere, the presence of veins or
beds of soft volcanic stone being a condition sine qua non of their existence. ...
/.../lanciani/pagan and christian rome/chapter vii christian cemeteries.htm

Excavated (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Excavate. Multi-Version Concordance
Excavated (1 Occurrence). 2 Chronicles 16:14 And they ...
/e/excavated.htm - 7k

Azekah (7 Occurrences)
... Kh. Shuweikeh). This site, which was partially excavated by the Palestine
Exploration Fund, is one of great natural strength. "The ...
/a/azekah.htm - 11k

Siloam (4 Occurrences)
... is said to be "twelve hundred cubits;" and the inscription further notes that the
workmen, like the excavators of the Mont Cenis Tunnel, excavated from both ...
/s/siloam.htm - 21k

Shiloah (1 Occurrence)
... this church is Antonius Martyr (circa 570), and after its destruction, probably
by the Persians in 614, it was entirely lost sight of until excavated by Messrs ...
/s/shiloah.htm - 17k

Siloah (1 Occurrence)
... this church is Antonius Martyr (circa 570), and after its destruction, probably
by the Persians in 614, it was entirely lost sight of until excavated by Messrs ...
/s/siloah.htm - 17k

Shelah (18 Occurrences)
... this church is Antonius Martyr (circa 570), and after its destruction, probably
by the Persians in 614, it was entirely lost sight of until excavated by Messrs ...
/s/shelah.htm - 24k

Exceed (14 Occurrences)

/e/exceed.htm - 11k

Papyrus (4 Occurrences)
... With Arthur S. Hunt, of Oxford, Mr. Grenfell excavated in 1896-1897, at Behnesa,
the Roman Oxyrhynchus, and unearthed the greatest mass of Greek papyri of the ...
/p/papyrus.htm - 34k

Gezer (14 Occurrences)
... deep, made up of the debris of all the cities which had stood on the site during
three or four thousand years; on the part excavated there were no remains so ...
/g/gezer.htm - 27k

Fortified (79 Occurrences)
... Since 1908 an American expedition from Harvard University, first under Schumacher
and now under Dr. Reisner, who had previously excavated at the Pyramids and ...
/f/fortified.htm - 63k

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