lesson ten: the bible & archaeology

From Wayne From Wayne Jackson’s bookJackson’s book

The Bible & ArchaeologyThe Bible & Archaeology

• IntroductionIntroduction– Thrilling discoveries have been made that draw Thrilling discoveries have been made that draw

attention to the sacred writings in attention to the sacred writings in the Biblethe Bible– Archaeology is a study of the Archaeology is a study of the ancientancient..

• Investigating ancient sites, buildings, tools and other Investigating ancient sites, buildings, tools and other objects, as a way of learning about man’s history.objects, as a way of learning about man’s history.


• The Vast Range of EvidenceThe Vast Range of Evidence– A number of dramatic archaeological A number of dramatic archaeological discoveriesdiscoveries

have been made since the early have been made since the early 1800’s1800’s..– Estimated 5,000 possible sites for excavation exist in Estimated 5,000 possible sites for excavation exist in

Palestine alone; less than 200 have been exploredPalestine alone; less than 200 have been explored– Of several hundred thousand tablets discovered & in Of several hundred thousand tablets discovered & in

museums, only about 10% have been translatedmuseums, only about 10% have been translated


• The Vast Range of EvidenceThe Vast Range of Evidence– The importance of archaeological study is manifoldThe importance of archaeological study is manifold

• It has aided in locating many Biblical It has aided in locating many Biblical locationslocations• It has thrown a floodlight on the It has thrown a floodlight on the customscustoms of the Biblical of the Biblical

world, thus illuminating many Scripture textsworld, thus illuminating many Scripture texts• It has helped to clarify the It has helped to clarify the meaningsmeanings of many of the Biblical of many of the Biblical

wordswords by comparing their use in ancient documents by comparing their use in ancient documents• It has helped with establishing Biblical It has helped with establishing Biblical chronologychronology and the and the

relationship of the Scriptures to relationship of the Scriptures to secular historysecular history• It has enhanced our confidence in the It has enhanced our confidence in the accuracyaccuracy of the of the

Biblical records, supporting their claims of Divine Biblical records, supporting their claims of Divine inspirationinspiration


• Some Important DiscoveriesSome Important Discoveries– In 1843, Paul Botta (French explorer) discovered In 1843, Paul Botta (French explorer) discovered

Khorsabad (in Assyria)Khorsabad (in Assyria)• Palace of Palace of SargonSargon II (conqueror of Samaria & destroyer of II (conqueror of Samaria & destroyer of

the kingdom of Israel) was uncovered (25 acres)the kingdom of Israel) was uncovered (25 acres)– In 1845, Henry Layard (English archaeologist) In 1845, Henry Layard (English archaeologist)

uncovered uncovered NinevehNineveh• Walls were 32 feet thick & 76 feet highWalls were 32 feet thick & 76 feet high• Remains of Ashurbanipal’s Remains of Ashurbanipal’s librarylibrary were found (the were found (the

grandson of Sennacherib, mentioned in 2 Kgs. 18 & Isa. 36)grandson of Sennacherib, mentioned in 2 Kgs. 18 & Isa. 36)• Library contained fragments of 26,000 tablets, including Library contained fragments of 26,000 tablets, including

historic, scientific & religious literaturehistoric, scientific & religious literature


• Some Important DiscoveriesSome Important Discoveries– Btwn 1925-1931, about 20,000 tablets exhumed in Btwn 1925-1931, about 20,000 tablets exhumed in

northern Iraq (at Nuzi)northern Iraq (at Nuzi)• Babylonian documents provided information about the Babylonian documents provided information about the

culture in 15culture in 15thth-14-14thth centuries B.C. centuries B.C.• Greatly support the historicity of the Greatly support the historicity of the patriarchalpatriarchal period in period in

GenesisGenesis– Btwn 1933-1960, about 20,000 clay tablets were Btwn 1933-1960, about 20,000 clay tablets were

discovered in southeast Syria (at Mari)discovered in southeast Syria (at Mari)• Date to the 18Date to the 18thth century B.C., and are in a Semitic dialect century B.C., and are in a Semitic dialect

that is “virtually identical” to that spoken by the that is “virtually identical” to that spoken by the Hebrew Hebrew patriarchspatriarchs


• Some Important DiscoveriesSome Important Discoveries– In 1947, some 500 documents were found west of In 1947, some 500 documents were found west of

the Dead Sea (collection known as the Dead Sea (collection known as Dead Sea ScrollsDead Sea Scrolls))• Contain both Biblical & non-biblical writingsContain both Biblical & non-biblical writings• About 100 of the scrolls are OT books, written in HebrewAbout 100 of the scrolls are OT books, written in Hebrew

– At least portions of all OT books (except Esther) At least portions of all OT books (except Esther) • One of the most significant archaeological discoveries everOne of the most significant archaeological discoveries ever• It pushed our knowledge of the OT text back about It pushed our knowledge of the OT text back about 1,0001,000

years earlier than copies previously possessedyears earlier than copies previously possessed• Established how very accurately the sacred Scriptures had Established how very accurately the sacred Scriptures had

been transmitted across the centuriesbeen transmitted across the centuries


• Some Important DiscoveriesSome Important Discoveries– Since 1929, intermittent excavations at Ras Shamra Since 1929, intermittent excavations at Ras Shamra

(on the Syrian coast opposite Cyprus)(on the Syrian coast opposite Cyprus)• Several hundred texts were uncovered which shed amazing Several hundred texts were uncovered which shed amazing

light on the Canaanite religion in 15light on the Canaanite religion in 15thth-14-14thth centuries B.C. centuries B.C.• Important because claims were made before this discovery Important because claims were made before this discovery

that Israel’s religion was borrowed from the Canaanitesthat Israel’s religion was borrowed from the Canaanites• A study of these texts demonstrated that to be utterly false A study of these texts demonstrated that to be utterly false

and not even closeand not even close


• ChronologyChronology– Has helped to Has helped to correlatecorrelate Bible events with secular Bible events with secular

history, establishing the historical history, establishing the historical contextcontext of certain of certain Biblical recordsBiblical records

• Example: Paul in CorinthExample: Paul in Corinth• Acts 18:12Acts 18:12 says, “When Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the says, “When Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the

Jews [in Corinth] with one accord rose up against Paul and Jews [in Corinth] with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him to the judgment seat.”brought him to the judgment seat.”

• In 1880s, in the city of Delphi (northern side of Gulf of In 1880s, in the city of Delphi (northern side of Gulf of Corinth), an inscription was discovered that mentions Gallio Corinth), an inscription was discovered that mentions Gallio (with is official title, “proconsul”), and dates the time of his (with is official title, “proconsul”), and dates the time of his administrationadministration

• Thus, we can say Paul arrived in Corinth about Dec. of Thus, we can say Paul arrived in Corinth about Dec. of AD 49AD 49


• Historical AccuracyHistorical Accuracy– If the Bible is the inspired Word of God, one has If the Bible is the inspired Word of God, one has

every right to expect it to be every right to expect it to be accurateaccurate in its historical in its historical information.information.

• Down through the years, unfriendly critics have been quick Down through the years, unfriendly critics have been quick and sharp in criticizing the sacred narrative, alleging that and sharp in criticizing the sacred narrative, alleging that the Bible is characterized by historical blunders.the Bible is characterized by historical blunders.

• The patient work of archaeologists has helped to quiet The patient work of archaeologists has helped to quiet some of these critics.some of these critics.


• Historical AccuracyHistorical Accuracy– CamelsCamels – domesticated animals in Egypt – domesticated animals in Egypt

• When Abraham sojourned in Egypt, he was given camels When Abraham sojourned in Egypt, he was given camels by the ruling Pharaoh (Gen. 12:16)by the ruling Pharaoh (Gen. 12:16)

• Camels are mentioned as some of the victims among the Camels are mentioned as some of the victims among the livestock that died in the fifth plague on Egypt (Ex. 9:3)livestock that died in the fifth plague on Egypt (Ex. 9:3)

• Critics of the Bible once referenced these as “obvious Critics of the Bible once referenced these as “obvious errors,” as there was no record of domesticated camels in errors,” as there was no record of domesticated camels in Egypt until the 11Egypt until the 11thth century B.C. century B.C.

• Then, archaeological studies found evidence that the Then, archaeological studies found evidence that the camel was present in Egypt as early as 3,000 B.C., centuries camel was present in Egypt as early as 3,000 B.C., centuries before the time of Abraham.before the time of Abraham.

– The Bible was right all along!The Bible was right all along!


• Historical AccuracyHistorical Accuracy– WritingWriting – known & practiced in early Bible history – known & practiced in early Bible history

• The first mention of “writing” in the Bible is in Exodus The first mention of “writing” in the Bible is in Exodus 17:14, and numerous other references follow this one.17:14, and numerous other references follow this one.

• Critics of the Bible once charged that no alphabetic script Critics of the Bible once charged that no alphabetic script existed in the days of Moses (in spite of the fact that Jesus existed in the days of Moses (in spite of the fact that Jesus referred to Moses’ “writings” in John 5:46-47).referred to Moses’ “writings” in John 5:46-47).

– T.K. Cheyne contended that the law (Tora) was not T.K. Cheyne contended that the law (Tora) was not written until 1,000 years written until 1,000 years afterafter Moses. Moses.

• Then, archaeological studies found evidence of a Proto-Then, archaeological studies found evidence of a Proto-Semitic alphabet in the Sinaitic Peninsula that date back Semitic alphabet in the Sinaitic Peninsula that date back centuries before Moses.centuries before Moses.



• Historical AccuracyHistorical Accuracy– Israel’s King Israel’s King DavidDavid – a real person in history – a real person in history

• Critics of the Bible once chided the idea of an historical Critics of the Bible once chided the idea of an historical king named Davidking named David

• Then, archaeological studies found evidence confirming Then, archaeological studies found evidence confirming the Biblical narrative. David’s name was found near the the Biblical narrative. David’s name was found near the city of Dan, on an inscription dating to the 9city of Dan, on an inscription dating to the 9thth century B.C. century B.C.



• Historical AccuracyHistorical Accuracy– Assyria’s King Assyria’s King SargonSargon – a real person in history – a real person in history

• Isaiah tells of King Sargon of Assyria sending his forces Isaiah tells of King Sargon of Assyria sending his forces against Ashdod (a Philistine city in SW Palestine) (Isa. 20:1).against Ashdod (a Philistine city in SW Palestine) (Isa. 20:1).

• Prior to 1843, Sargon’s name was not found in any piece of Prior to 1843, Sargon’s name was not found in any piece of ancient literature, except for Isaiah’s record.ancient literature, except for Isaiah’s record.

• Critics of the Bible charged Isaiah with an historical errorCritics of the Bible charged Isaiah with an historical error• Then, archaeological studies found Sargon’s palace about Then, archaeological studies found Sargon’s palace about

12 miles north of Nineveh.12 miles north of Nineveh.– The Bible was right all along!The Bible was right all along!


• Historical AccuracyHistorical Accuracy– The Book of The Book of ActsActs – an historically reliable document – an historically reliable document

• Critics of the Bible once alleged that Acts was not a reliable Critics of the Bible once alleged that Acts was not a reliable document from the standpoint of historydocument from the standpoint of history

• Sir William RamsaySir William Ramsay (1851-1939), a British scholar who set (1851-1939), a British scholar who set out to prove the unreliability of the book, became out to prove the unreliability of the book, became thoroughly convinced otherwise. After years of digging up thoroughly convinced otherwise. After years of digging up the evidence in archaeological explorations, Ramsay the evidence in archaeological explorations, Ramsay became convinced that Acts was so remarkably accurate in became convinced that Acts was so remarkably accurate in its details, that the whole of it must be considered its details, that the whole of it must be considered trustworthy.trustworthy.


• Historical AccuracyHistorical Accuracy– The Book of Acts – an historically reliable documentThe Book of Acts – an historically reliable document

• In one of his famous books, Ramsay honestly admitted his In one of his famous books, Ramsay honestly admitted his earlier skepticism:earlier skepticism:

– ““I had read a good deal of modern criticism about the book, and I had read a good deal of modern criticism about the book, and dutifully accepted the current opinion that it was written during dutifully accepted the current opinion that it was written during the second half of the second century by an author who wished to the second half of the second century by an author who wished to influence the minds of people in his own time by a highly wrought influence the minds of people in his own time by a highly wrought and imaginative description of the early Church. His object was and imaginative description of the early Church. His object was not to present a trustworthy picture of facts in the period of about not to present a trustworthy picture of facts in the period of about A.D. 50, but to produce a certain effect on his own time by setting A.D. 50, but to produce a certain effect on his own time by setting forth a carefully coloured account of events and persons of that forth a carefully coloured account of events and persons of that older period. He wrote for his contemporaries, not for truth.”older period. He wrote for his contemporaries, not for truth.”



• After much investigation, Ramsay continued:After much investigation, Ramsay continued:– ““The present writer takes the view that Luke’s history is The present writer takes the view that Luke’s history is

unsurpassed in respect of its trustworthiness. At this point we are unsurpassed in respect of its trustworthiness. At this point we are describing what reasons and arguments changed the mind of one describing what reasons and arguments changed the mind of one who began under the impression that the history was written long who began under the impression that the history was written long after the events and that it was untrustworthy as a whole.”after the events and that it was untrustworthy as a whole.”



• J.B. Lightfoot (1828-1889) was one of the greatest scholars J.B. Lightfoot (1828-1889) was one of the greatest scholars of his day.of his day.

– ““No ancient work affords so many tests of veracity; for no other has No ancient work affords so many tests of veracity; for no other has such numerous points of contact in all directions with contemporary such numerous points of contact in all directions with contemporary history, politics, and topography, whether Jewish, Greek, or history, politics, and topography, whether Jewish, Greek, or Roman.”Roman.”

• Luke records an abundance of details; this allows the careful Luke records an abundance of details; this allows the careful student to check the ancient historian for credibility.student to check the ancient historian for credibility.

– He mentions 32 countries, 54 cities & 9 Mediterranean islands. He He mentions 32 countries, 54 cities & 9 Mediterranean islands. He alludes to 95 different people, 62 of which are not mentioned by alludes to 95 different people, 62 of which are not mentioned by any other NT writer. 27 of these are unbelievers, chiefly civil or any other NT writer. 27 of these are unbelievers, chiefly civil or military officials. And, each time, it stands the test!military officials. And, each time, it stands the test!

– The The BibleBible was right all along! was right all along!


• The Integrity of the Biblical TextThe Integrity of the Biblical Text– Do we really know that the text of our English Bible Do we really know that the text of our English Bible

is essentially that of the original Hebrew & Greek is essentially that of the original Hebrew & Greek manuscripts?manuscripts?

• YES, indeed!YES, indeed! And the science of archaeology is a witness. And the science of archaeology is a witness.


• The Integrity of the Biblical TextThe Integrity of the Biblical Text– Robert Dick Wilson was a renowned Bible scholar Robert Dick Wilson was a renowned Bible scholar

who taught at Princeton. He was a master linguist who taught at Princeton. He was a master linguist (familiar with 45 languages), who spent 15 years (familiar with 45 languages), who spent 15 years carefully examining the Hebrew text of the OT, carefully examining the Hebrew text of the OT, comparing it with inscriptions taken from the ancient comparing it with inscriptions taken from the ancient monuments.monuments.

• ““It is my endeavor to show from the evidence of It is my endeavor to show from the evidence of manuscripts, versions, and the inscriptions, that we are manuscripts, versions, and the inscriptions, that we are scientifically certain that we have substantially the same [Old scientifically certain that we have substantially the same [Old Testament] text that was in the possession of Christ and the Testament] text that was in the possession of Christ and the apostles and, so far as anybody knows, the same as that apostles and, so far as anybody knows, the same as that written by the original composers of the Old Testament written by the original composers of the Old Testament documents.”documents.”


• The Integrity of the Biblical TextThe Integrity of the Biblical Text– The same sort of compelling evidence exists for the The same sort of compelling evidence exists for the

New Testament as well.New Testament as well.• There are more than 5,000 Greek manuscripts (in part or There are more than 5,000 Greek manuscripts (in part or

in whole) of the NT text.in whole) of the NT text.– Some of these extend to nearly the first century.Some of these extend to nearly the first century.

• There are some 10,000 ancient translations from the There are some 10,000 ancient translations from the Greek into other languages.Greek into other languages.

– Some of these reach back to 2Some of these reach back to 2ndnd & 3 & 3rdrd centuries A.D. centuries A.D.• There are hundreds of quotations from the NT in the There are hundreds of quotations from the NT in the

writings of the Greek and Latin fathers.writings of the Greek and Latin fathers.– It has been said that the text of the NT could be It has been said that the text of the NT could be

reproduced almost entirely from these writings alone.reproduced almost entirely from these writings alone.


• The Integrity of the Biblical TextThe Integrity of the Biblical Text– In fact, it has been shown that there is much greater In fact, it has been shown that there is much greater

credibility for the New Testament (in existence for credibility for the New Testament (in existence for 1919 centuries) than there is for the writings of centuries) than there is for the writings of William William ShakespeareShakespeare (produced just four centuries ago). (produced just four centuries ago).


• ConclusionConclusion– Though many archaeologists are far from being Though many archaeologists are far from being

conscientious Bible believers, they have, nonetheless conscientious Bible believers, they have, nonetheless unwittingly assisted in enhancing our understanding unwittingly assisted in enhancing our understanding of, and confidence in, the Holy Scriptures as the of, and confidence in, the Holy Scriptures as the inspired Word of God.inspired Word of God.

lesson ten: the bible & archaeology

Documents

biblical writingsabout

biblical world

biblical chronology

biblical records

biblical words

biblical locationsit

closethe bible archaeo

ancient sites