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The Tel Dan stele. Photo: The Israel Museum, Jerusalem/Israel Antiquities Authority (photograph by Meidad Suchowolski)

Nov 23 Blog

The Tel Dan Inscription: The First Historical Evidence of King David from the Bible

Few modern Biblical archaeology discoveries have attracted as much attention as the Tel Dan inscription—writing on a ninth-century B.C. stone slab (or stela) that furnished the first historical evidence of King David from the Bible.

Aug 31 Blog

53 People in the Bible Confirmed Archaeologically

By: Lawrence Mykytiuk

How many people mentioned in the Hebrew Bible have been confirmed archaeologically? Lawrence Mykytiuk reveals the surprising number—from Israelite kings to Mesopotamian monarchs—and some lesser figures as well.

Where is Kadesh? The site of Tell el-Qudeirat in the northeastern part of the Sinai Peninsula is considered to be the best candidate. Photo: Israel Antiquities Authority.

May 25 Blog

Wilderness Wanderings: Where is Kadesh?

By: Robin Ngo

According to the Bible, the Israelites stayed at a place called Kadesh-Barnea following their Exodus from Egypt and wanderings through the desert. Where is Kadesh-Barnea?

Oct 12 Blog

Jonah and the Whale

By: Nahum Sarna

The Book of Jonah is read in the synagogue on the afternoon of Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, the sacred Day of Atonement. Why, of all books in the Bible, this book this most holy day?

Jul 17 Blog

An Introduction to the Hebrew Bible with Richard Elliott Friedman

By: Biblical Archaeology Society Staff

Take a course on the Hebrew Bible from the comfort of your own home with renowned Biblical scholar Richard Elliott Friedman.

Feb 9 Blog

Biblical Archaeology: Whither and Whence

By: Hershel Shanks

Giants in Biblical archaeology, Eric and Carol Meyers sit down with BAR’s editor to discuss the past 40 years of the field. Read the full interview as it appears in the 40th anniversary issue of BAR.

Feb 13 Blog

Biblical Archaeology Books on the Go

By: Biblical Archaeology Society Staff

The Bible in the News, Aspects of Monotheism, The Rise of Ancient Israel, Feminist Approaches to the Bible and The Search for Jesus are now available as digital publications for your eReader

Oct 18 Blog

The End of an Era

By: Hershel Shanks

We knew it would happen, but it’s still a shock. Frank Cross is dead. I will leave it to scholars to write of his scholarly accomplishments. I will write only of what I know: He stood at the very pinnacle of the profession, universally respected and admired. When he spoke, others stood in awe. The Hancock Professor of Hebrew and Other Oriental Languages at Harvard University, the third oldest endowed academic chair in the United States, Cross was a specialist in the Dead Sea Scrolls, in obscure ancient languages, in the science of dating ancient inscriptions based on shape of the letters, in the Biblical text and in archaeology, to name but a few.

Aug 8 Blog

Purity Paper Wins Prestigious Prize

By: Biblical Archaeology Society Staff

Death, disease and discharge of bodily fluids. What do these have in common? Not only can they be described as “gross” or “creepy,” they can render a person ritually impure according to Biblical law.

Dec 23 Blog

What Are the Dead Sea Scrolls and Why Do They Matter?

By: Reviewed by James D. VanderKam

James D. VanderKam reviews "What Are the Dead Sea Scrolls and Why Do They Matter?" by David Noel Freedman and Pam Fox Kuhlken.

Must-Read Free eBooks

The Dead Sea Scrolls: Past, Present, and Future

Biblical Peoples—The World of Ancient Israel

Who Was Jesus? Exploring the History of Jesus’ Life

Ancient Israel in Egypt and the Exodus

More Free eBooks

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