TEL DAN STELE Meaning and
Definition
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The Tel Dan stele is an ancient artifact that is considered one of the most important archaeological discoveries in the field of Biblical studies. It is a stone slab bearing an inscription in ancient Aramaic, discovered in the ruins of Tel Dan in northern Israel in 1993.
The Tel Dan stele is approximately 32 centimeters by 22 centimeters in size and dates back to the 9th century BCE. The inscription on the stele refers to the exploits of a king of the ancient kingdom of Damascus, who is believed to be Hazael or one of his descendants. It also mentions the establishment of the "House of David," providing the first explicit reference to the legendary King David from the Bible.
The significance of the Tel Dan stele lies in its confirmation of the existence of the Davidic dynasty outside of religious texts. Prior to this discovery, some scholars had questioned the historical accuracy of the biblical account of King David. The inscription on the stele serves as an extra-biblical evidence that supports the biblical narrative and contributes to a better understanding of the political and historical context of the time.
The Tel Dan stele is now housed in the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, where it is carefully preserved and studied. It stands as a testament to the ongoing exploration of ancient history and offers valuable insights into the world of ancient civilizations in the Middle East.
