First Temple Stone Seal Unearthed
Archaeologists in Jerusalem have uncovered a rare First Temple-period stone seal engraved with ancient Hebrew script. The artifact is a significant find for researchers studying early Israelite culture and administration during the biblical period.
The 2,700-year-old seal was unearthed in the Davidson Archaeological Garden, during excavations conducted by the Israel Antiquities Authority and the City of David Foundation along the southern wall of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. Made of black stone, it is considered one of the most beautiful and well-executed seals ever found in ancient Jerusalem. This artifact served a dual purpose for its owner: it was both a personal amulet for protection and a practical tool for signing and sealing legal documents and certificates. A hole drilled through the seal indicates it was likely worn on a chain around the neck. The inscription is written in paleo-Hebrew and reads "LeYehoʼezer ben Hoshʼayahu," which translates to "[Belonging] to Yeho'ezer, son of Hosh'ayahu." The name Yeho'ezer appears in the Bible in its abbreviated form, "Yo'ezer," as one of King David's warriors, while a form of Hosh'ayahu is mentioned in the Book of Jeremiah. A unique feature of the seal is the engraved figure of a winged man, described by researchers as a "genie." This is the first time such a protective magical figure, common in Neo-Assyrian art from the 9th to 7th centuries BCE, has been found in Israeli archaeology, pointing to cultural influences from the dominant Assyrian Empire at the time. Archaeologists theorize the seal initially belonged to Hosh'ayahu, a senior official in the Kingdom of Judah's administration, and featured only the winged figure. It is believed his son, Yeho'ezer, inherited the seal and later added his own name and his father's, possibly in a less refined script. Seals and clay seal impressions (bullae) were integral to the administration of the Kingdom of Judah. They were used by officials to secure storerooms and storage vessels in the royal and Temple treasuries, essentially acting as a form of ancient bookkeeping and security.
