Virtual Models of the Temple Mount

This is fascinating! - Virtual Models of the Temple Mount in the Time of Jesus 

3D Renderings of the Temple

Check out these way too cool 3D Renderings of the Temple in Jerusalem in Jesus' Time

First Temple-Era Water Tunnel Revealed in Jerusalem - Jewish World - Israel News - Arutz Sheva

Found an interesting archeology article at First Temple-Era Water Tunnel Revealed in Jerusalem - Jewish World - Israel News - Arutz Sheva

(IsraelNN.com) A tunnel built thousands of years ago – and which may even have been used during King David's conquest of Jerusalem – has been uncovered in the ancient City of David, just outside the Old City and across the street from the Dung Gate.

Renowned Israeli archaeologist Dr. Eilat Mazer, who is leading the dig, revealed the findings from the discovery Thursday morning at an archaeological symposium at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Mazer, who also uncovered King David's palace, has led the world in ancient Jerusalem findings. Some of her other discoveries have included proof of another Biblical story, in the Book of Jeremiah. A completely intact seal impression, or "bula," bearing the name Gedaliahu ben Pashur was uncovered. The bula is actually a stamped engraving made of mortar. Mazer also found a second such impression not far away, as as well as the remnants of a wall from the prophet Nechemia.

The archaeologist said there is a high probability that the tunnel is the one referred to as the "tsinor" in the Biblical story of King David's conquest of Jerusalem (Samuel II, 5:6-8; Chronicles I, 11:4-6).

"The new discoveries in the excavations in the City of David illuminate the ancient history of Jerusalem and the reality described in the Bible," she noted.

Prioities

I've been reading 1st Kings this week, I noticed again the disparity in Solomon's time priorities in the following two verses.

In the fourth year the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid, in the month of Ziv. And in the eleventh year, in the month of Bul, which is the eighth month, the house was finished in all its parts, and according to all its specifications. He was seven years in building it. (1 Kings 6:37-38 ESV)

Compare that to:

Solomon was building his own house thirteen years, and he finished his entire house. (1 Kings 7:1 ESV)

Thirteen years on his house but only seven years on God's house? This shows clearly where King Solomon's priorities were. Is it any wonder that he turned away from the Lord?

Archaeological Discovery in Jerusalem Naming Biblical Figures

From an article at Israeli website Haaretz.com, archeologists have discovered seals that belonged to two officials mentioned in the Book of Jeremiah.

Israeli archaeologists have unearthed a seal impression belonging to a minister of the biblical King Zedekiah, which dates back 2,600 years, during an archeological dig in Jerusalem's ancient City of David. The finding helps corroborate the story pertaining to the biblical minister's demand to have the prophet Jeremiah killed.

The seal impression, or bulla, with the name Gedalyahu ben Pashur, who served as minister to King Zedekiah (597-586 BCE) according to the Book of Jeremiah, was found completely intact just meters away from a separate seal impression of another of Zedekia's ministers, Yehukual ben Shelemyahu, which was unearthed three years ago.

Both ministers are mentioned in the Book of Jeremiah (Jeremiah 38 1-4) along with two other ministers when they came to King Zedekiah demanding the death of the prophet Jeremiah for preaching to the besieged city to surrender.

The impressions, measuring 1 cm in diameter each, were found among the debris of the destruction of the First Temple period, by an excavation team led by Prof. Eilat Mazar of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

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