The BBC’s increasing level of political-correctness occasionally lets the odd incorrect story through its cracks, such as this one published today on an interesting find supporting the Bible (web link below). Here’s my edited version of it.

Israeli archaeologists have found a 2,700-year-old piece of clay inscribed with a biblical king’s seal.

The oval bulla, which is 13mm (0.5in) wide, was signed by Hezekiah, one of the kings of Judah. It was probably once attached to a papyrus document. It was found by a team from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem at the site of an ancient dump, beside the wall that surrounds Jerusalem’s Old City.

The bulla is imprinted with the symbol of a winged sun and an inscription in an ancient Hebrew script, saying:

“BELONGING TO HEZEKIAH (SON OF) AHAZ KING OF JUDAH”

Hezekiah ruled from 727-698 BC. You can read about him (and his father)in the Old Testament, beginning in 2 Kings 16:20. His reputation as a man of faith is clear:

“Hezekiah trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel. There was no ne like him among all the kings of Judah…” (2 Kings 18:5)”

He’s mentioned in the New Testament, in the genealogy at the beginning of Matthew’s gospel:

“…Ahaz the father of Hezekiah…” (Matthew 1:9-10).

Hezekiah was also described favorably in the chronicles of the Assyrian kings, who ruled during his time.

The bulla was found in 2009, but was put into storage after an initial inspection failed to establish its origin. Only recently did an archaeologist discern what the inscription said.

This appears to be the second such imprint to come to light, because my study Bible speaks of a similar find made in 1998.

For those with an open mind there’s plenty of archeological evidence to support the Bible. One book I recommend is:

“The Popular Handbook of Archaeology and the Bible”, by Joseph M Holden and Norman Geisler.

BBC article: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-34988649

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