Near the vestiges of the Southern Wall of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, Israel, archaeologists affiliated with the Israel Antiquities Authority have unearthed a stone seal dating back to the First Temple era. This ancient artifact prominently features an inscription in archaic Hebrew script, alongside a depiction of a winged entity.
The 2,700-year-old stone seal found in Jerusalem, Israel. Image credit: Emil Aladjem, Israel Antiquities Authority.
“This seal, fashioned from black stone, stands out as one of the most exquisite artifacts discovered to date in excavations of ancient Jerusalem, showcasing exceptional artistic craftsmanship,” stated Dr. Yuval Baruch and Dr. Navot Rom, who directed the excavation efforts for the Israel Antiquities Authority.
“The object, meticulously engraved with reversed lettering, served a dual purpose for its proprietor: functioning as a protective amulet and as a means to officially authenticate documents and decrees.”
“It exhibits a convex curvature on each side, and a perforation runs lengthwise, enabling it to be suspended from a cord and worn as a pendant.”
“At its core, a profile depiction of a winged figure, potentially representing royalty, is rendered, facing right. The figure is adorned in a lengthy, striped tunic.”
“Its coiffure cascades in long curls to obscure the nape of the neck, and it is surmounted by a headpiece, possibly a diadem or crown.”
“One arm is extended forward, with an open palm, hinting at the potential presence of an object being held.”
There is an inscription in paleo-Hebrew script on both sides of the figure: LeYehoʼezer ben Hoshʼayahu.
“Our assessment is that this seal was appended as an amulet around the neck of Hoshʼayahu, an individual who occupied a significant administrative role within the Kingdom of Judah,” commented Dr. Filip Vukosavović, an archaeologist with the Israel Antiquities Authority.
“In light of his elevated standing and formal authority, Hoshʼayahu evidently permitted himself the ostentation of a seal bearing an imposing effigy—a symbol of power and governance.”
“It is surmised that a local artisan, presumably from Judah, crafted this amulet at the behest of its intended user. The execution of the piece indicates a remarkably high artistic standard.”
“The prevailing hypothesis is that upon Hoshʼayahu’s demise, his son Yehoʼezer inherited the seal, subsequently adding his own name and that of his father adjacent to the depicted figure.”
“This action was possibly undertaken to ceremonially imbue himself with the perceived protective virtues associated with the talisman as a magical artifact.”
The name Yehoʼezer finds resonance in biblical accounts (1 Chronicles 12:7), where it appears in its abbreviated form, Yoʼezer, associated with one of King David’s formidable warriors.
“Furthermore, the Book of Jeremiah (43:2), detailing events pertinent to this exact epoch, references an individual bearing a cognate name: ʼAzariah ben Hoshaya.”
“The constituent elements of his given name are reversed in comparison to the seal’s proprietor, and his surname is identical, presented in its abbreviated form.”
“This orthographic convention aligns precisely with the inscription on the recently unearthed seal, validating its attribution to this historical period.”
“A comparative analysis of the letter forms and calligraphy against other Hebrew seals and bullae originating from Jerusalem reveals that, in stark contrast to the meticulous rendering of the figural element, the inscription of the names on the seal exhibits a less precise execution,” observed Professor Ronny Reich of the University of Haifa.
“It is not beyond the realm of possibility that Yehoʼezer himself undertook the task of engraving the appellations onto the artifact.”
“This discovery further substantiates the widespread prevalence of literacy during this historical juncture,” remarked Dr. Baruch.
“Contrarily to common assumptions, it appears that in this era, the capacity for reading and writing was not exclusively the preserve of the societal aristocracy.”
“Individuals possessed the ability to read and write—at a fundamental level, at least—sufficient for the exigencies of mercantile activities.”
“Numerous instances of inscribed seal impressions, rendered in paleo-Hebrew script, have been documented in the vicinities of the City of David and across the Kingdom of Judah.”
“The representation of a winged anthropoid figure, distinctly characteristic of Neo-Assyrian artistic conventions, is an exceptionally rare motif within the glyptic styles of the Late First Temple period.”
“The pervasive influence of the Assyrian Empire, which had extended its dominion over the entire region, is unequivocally discernible in this artifact.”
“The geopolitical reality of Judah, and Jerusalem in particular during that epoch, was one of subjugation to the hegemony of the Assyrian Empire, a condition that significantly impacted its cultural and artistic expressions.”
“The proprietor’s selection of a chthonic figure as the emblem for his personal seal may signify a self-perception of belonging to a broader cultural milieu—akin to contemporary Israelis identifying with Western civilization.”
“Yet, notwithstanding this broader affiliation, this Yehoʼezer maintained a steadfast adherence to his indigenous identity, evidenced by the Hebrew script used for his name and the distinctly Judean provenance of his patronymic.”
