CITIES
THE STELE OF DAN: WHAT IT SAID
The Stele of Dan, found at the city gates In the ancient world, steles were inscribed pillars giving information to passers-by. Most commonly, they were grave markers, but they were also used by kings for proclamations that could be read (by some) and known (by all) The stele found at the gates of Dan contained a commemorative inscription. It has been translated thus: 1. [.....................].......[...................................] and cut [.........................]2. [.........] my father went up [against him when] he fought at[....] 3. And my father lay down, he went to his [fathers]. And the king of I[s-] 4. rael entered previously in my father's land. [And] Hadad made me king. 5. And Hadad went in front of me, [and] I departed from [the] seven[.....] 6. of my kingdom, and I slew [seve]nty kin[gs], who harnessed thou[sands of cha-] 7. riots and thousands of horsemen (or: horses). [I killed Jeho]ram son of [Ahab] 8. king of Israel, and I killed [Ahaz]iahu son of [Jehoram kin]g 9. of the House of David. And I set [their towns into ruins and turned] 10. their land into [desolation........................] 11. other ...[......................................................................... and Jehu ru-] 12. led over Is[rael......................................................................and I laid] 13. siege upon [............................................................]
The interesting thing about the inscription is the phrase 'the House of David'. This is possibly the first mention ever found outside the Bible of the House of David, and by inference King David, Israel's great hero, though it has to be said that there is debate among scholars over whether the words really refer to King David of Jerusalem.
The Meshe Stele, recording the trials and victories of King Mesha of Moab
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Other Online Bible Websites
Study famous and historical people, places, artwork and archaelogy of the Holy Bible online.
For more online Bible study resources and activities, visit the following websites:
www.bible-people.info - stories of the Bible's most famous men and women - Moses, Judas, John the Baptist, Mary Magdalene and more
www.womeninthebible.net - all about Bible women, good and bad: Ruth, Deborah, Mary of Nazareth, Jezebel
www.bible-archaeology.info - archaeological evidence and the Bible - what can we prove?
http://www.bible-art.info/ - Bible paintings and artworks: Nativity, Resurrection, Esther, Martha and Mary
http://www.bible-topten.com/ - Top Ten heroes, bad women, ways to hell, young people, villains, murders, films
http://www.bible-architecture.info/ - more about houses, palaces, temples and fortresses
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