Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Biblical Archaeology 9: Seal of Shema, Servant of Jeroboam

By Jason Dulle




2 Kings 14:16,23  And Jehoash slept with his fathers and was buried inSamariawith the kings ofIsrael, and Jeroboam his son reigned in his place. 23 In the fifteenth year of Amaziah the son of Joash, king ofJudah, Jeroboam the son of Joash, king ofIsrael, began to reign inSamaria, and he reigned forty-one years. (ESV)
During an expedition in Meggido in 1903-4, archeologists discovered an ancient seal that reads, “Shema, servant of Jeroboam.”  Given the location and dating of the find, this seal probably belonged to an official in the court of King Jeroboam II of Israel (782-745 BC).  If so, this seal was used by a minister in Jeroboam’s court to conduct official business!
Significance:
  1. This confirms the existence of King Jeroboam II.

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