Archaeology Continues to Corroborate the Bible

 Archaeology Continues to Corroborate the Bible-Sheba International

For centuries, many have questioned the historical accuracy of the Bible, with skeptics often asserting that the events and people described were either mythological or exaggerated. However, recent archaeological discoveries continue to confirm the historical validity of biblical accounts, offering tangible evidence that supports the narratives of Scripture. In this post, we’ll look at some recent excavations that offer compelling evidence reinforcing the biblical account, including discoveries from sites in ancient Judah and Israel.

Fortified Sites and Centralized Authority in the Time of David and Solomon

One of the most significant archaeological surveys in recent years comes from Yosef Garfinkel of Hebrew University. Garfinkel’s work spans several key archaeological sites, including Lachish, Khirbet Qeiyafa (possibly the biblical Elah Fortress), Beth Shemesh, Tell en-Nasbeh (possibly Mizpah), and Khirbet ed-Dawwara. These sites, located in the Judean foothills (Shephelah), were strategically positioned around Jerusalem, forming a kind of perimeter around the kingdom’s hinterland.

These sites were all fortified with strong city walls and share similar urban layouts dating back to the 10th century B.C., corresponding to the biblical reigns of David and Solomon. Radiocarbon dating and pottery evidence corroborate these dates, aligning with biblical chronology. Garfinkel points out that many of these cities exhibit casemate walls (double, hollow walls used for rooms) and large administrative buildings, features matching descriptions of Solomon’s Temple and palace. In addition, inscriptions found at these sites demonstrate literacy, reinforcing the idea of a well-organized, centralized kingdom, rather than a collection of small, isolated tribes or local chieftains.

This evidence directly challenges the minimalist school of thought, which argues that David and Solomon were merely tribal chieftains with little or no real kingdom. Garfinkel’s findings support the Bible’s portrayal of an expanding, powerful kingdom under David and Solomon. While Garfinkel doesn’t claim to have evidence of the full geographical scope of their reigns as depicted in Scripture, the findings suggest a kingdom far more significant than many modern critics have suggested.

The Siege of Lachish: Biblical and Assyrian Evidence

One of the most remarkable discoveries relating to biblical history was made in August 2023 in Mosul, Iraq. Archaeologists uncovered large alabaster panels depicting the Assyrian siege of Lachish, which took place in 701 B.C., as recorded in the Bible (2 Kings 18-19). These panels, now thought to have been reused in the foundation of Nineveh’s Mashki Gate, show Assyrian soldiers attacking the city of Lachish, one of Judah’s key cities. The panels are strikingly similar to those displayed in the British Museum, which vividly depict the Assyrian military campaign.

What is particularly noteworthy is what the panels do not show: they do not depict the Assyrians conquering Jerusalem. According to the Bible, God intervened and miraculously saved Jerusalem from the Assyrians during the reign of King Hezekiah (2 Kings 19:35-36). The absence of Jerusalem’s fall in these panels aligns with the biblical narrative that, despite the Assyrian threat, Jerusalem was spared.

These panels add a layer of historical context to the biblical account, further reinforcing the accuracy of the Scripture's portrayal of events.

Bethsaida: Confirmation of Biblical Locations

Archaeological work on the shores of the Sea of Galilee has also yielded exciting discoveries confirming the location of Bethsaida, the hometown of the apostles Peter and Andrew (John 1:44). For years, scholars debated whether the traditional site of Bethsaida at Et Tell was correct. The name “Bethsaida” means “House of Fishing,” and Et Tell, located 1.5 miles from the Sea of Galilee, seemed too far away for a fishing village. A more plausible site, El Araj, sits right at the highwater mark of the sea, and recent excavations there are revealing compelling evidence that this site is indeed the biblical Bethsaida.

In August and November of 2023, excavations at El Araj uncovered Jewish-period artifacts, including stone vessels used for ritual purification. They also uncovered Roman-era items such as a bathhouse, further confirming the site’s occupation during the time of Jesus. Notably, an inkwell found in a Jewish-period home contained fishing weights, suggesting that even fishermen like Peter and Andrew could have been literate. This finding challenges the notion that these fishermen, often seen as uneducated, could not have written the New Testament books attributed to them.

In addition, excavations in 2023 uncovered a first-century wall beneath the remains of a later Byzantine church. This church, believed to have been built over the house of Peter and Andrew, was described by an eighth-century Bavarian bishop. Though it’s not yet confirmed whether this wall belonged to a house, the discovery strengthens the case for El Araj being the site of biblical Bethsaida.

Conclusion: Ongoing Archaeological Evidence and Biblical Validation

These recent discoveries—ranging from fortified cities in Judah to inscriptions and artifacts in the Sea of Galilee—demonstrate that archaeology continues to corroborate the historical accuracy of the Bible. The evidence from Garfinkel’s excavations in the Judean foothills, the Assyrian siege panels from Lachish, and the ongoing work at El Araj offers a powerful testament to the reliability of Scripture as a historical document.

While archaeological discoveries cannot fully prove every aspect of biblical narrative, they continue to provide remarkable confirmation of key events, places, and people described in the Bible. As we uncover more of the past, it becomes increasingly clear that the Bible is not merely a collection of myths but a reliable historical account that deserves our careful consideration and study.

In Christ 

Dr. Phil Spears                                 Social Media Links Click Image