Donate

maccabean revolt

maccabean revolt Latest

Menorah Stone

Nov 28 Blog

Understanding the Jewish Menorah

By: Biblical Archaeology Society Staff

The Jewish menorah—especially the Temple menorah, a seven-branched candelabra that stood in the Temple—is the most enduring and iconic Jewish symbol. But what did the Temple menorah actually look like? Learn more in this post and view a number of important menorah depictions from antiquity.

Antiochus IV--Epiphanes

Nov 24 Blog

Antiochus Epiphanes—The Bible’s Most Notoriously Forgotten Villain

By: John Gregory Drummond

Many names come to mind when someone mentions the great “villains” of the Bible. Some are foreign powers, like the Pharaoh of the Exodus or […]

Feb 9 Blog

The Emmaus Trail

By: Henri Gourinard

In this BHD post, Henri Gourinard, master tour guide and lecturer at the Polis Institute in Jerusalem, describes the competing views on the location of […]

Nov 28 Blog

Modi’in: Where the Maccabees Lived

By: Robin Ngo

Modi’in was the hometown of the Maccabees, the heroes of the Maccabean revolt against the Seleucid king who ruled over Judea. Have excavations conducted within the modern Israeli city of Modi’in finally exposed the Jewish village that the Maccabees called home?

Nov 19 Blog

Hanukkah Stories Brought to Light

By: Nathan Steinmeyer

Just in time for Hanukkah, the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) announced the discovery of a Hellenistic fortified structure believed to have been destroyed by the […]

givati-akra

Sep 21 Blog

The Seleucid Akra: 2,200-Year-Old Jerusalem Fortress Uncovered?

By: Robin Ngo

Archaeologists excavating in the City of David may have found the fortress that Seleucid King Antiochus constructed following his conquest of Jerusalem around 167 B.C.E.

hasmonean-coin-hoard

Jun 20 Blog

Hasmonean Coin Hoard Comes to Light at Modi’in

By: Eli Baker

After 2,140 years, a hoard of silver coins dating to the Hasmonean Period has once again seen the light of day.

tomb-of-the-maccabees

Sep 25 Blog

Where the Heroes of the Maccabean Revolt Lie

By: Robin Ngo

Have archaeologists located the elusive Tomb of the Maccabees, described in ancient sources as a towering stone monument with pyramids?

building-qumran

Aug 26 Blog

Sectarianism in the Second Temple Period

By: Lawrence H. Schiffman

In part three of his study on schisms in Jewish history, Lawrence H. Schiffman examines sectarianism in the Second Temple Period.

huqoq-samson

Jul 14 Blog

New Huqoq Mosaics

By: Biblical Archaeology Society Staff

New mosaics from the fifth-century C.E. Huqoq synagogue in Israel were found during the 2013 excavation season.

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

Want more Bible history?

Sign up to receive our email newsletter and never miss an update.

By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy.

Join Us on an Educational Journey

For more than 40 years, the Biblical Archaeology Society has partnered with world-renowned hosts and guides to provide you exceptional educational offerings in the archaeology of the Biblical lands and in Biblical studies.

Learn More