mesha stele

mesha stele Latest

Jan 27 Blog

The Mesha Stele and King David

By: Various Authors

In his 1994 Biblical Archaeology Review article, acclaimed epigrapher André Lemaire first proposed that the ninth-century BCE Mesha Stele from ancient Moab includes a reference […]

Jan 1 Blog

Who Were the Ammonites, Moabites and Edomites in the Bible?

By: Megan Sauter

During the Iron Age, when Israel and Judah ruled Canaan, the kingdoms of Ammon, Moab and Edom ruled east of the Jordan River. Recent archaeological discoveries vastly increase our understanding of these kingdoms and their religion.

Dec 28 Blog

What Does the Mesha Stele Say?

By: André Lemaire

The Mesha Stele details the victories of King Mesha of Moab over the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. It was found at Dibon, the capital […]

Bowl decorated with recumbent lions and calves before the symbol of the god An (BLMJ 4564). Photo: David Harris

Oct 9 Blog

10 Great Biblical Artifacts at the Bible Lands Museum Jerusalem

By: David Moster

10 The Bible Lands Museum Jerusalem houses one of the world’s most important collections of Biblical artifacts.

Sep 28 Blog

The 10 Strangest Foods in the Bible

By: David Moster

Many Biblical stories are set within the context of a meal. While most of these are about regular meals, others refer to more bizarre, extreme or supernatural cases of eating and drinking.

Archaeologists excavating the House, in a residential section of Balu‘a. Photo courtesy Friedbert Ninow / Balu‘a Regional Archaeological Project

Jul 21 Blog

A City in the Moabite Heartland

By: BAS Staff

The kingdom of Moab, located across the Dead Sea to the east of biblical Israel and Judah, is referenced regularly in the Hebrew Bible. Yet […]

Dec 5 Blog

Scholars Identify Biblical King Balak on the Mesha Stele

By: Robin Ngo

Scholars have proposed a new reading of the Mesha Stele: one line refers not to the “House of David,” but to the Moab king Balak from the story of Balaam in the Bible.

May 10 Blog

Does the Mesha Stele Really Reference the Dynasty of King David of the Bible?

By: Megan Sauter

The Mesha Stele and “House of David” take center stage yet again. In the Winter 2022 issue of Biblical Archaeology Review, André Lemaire and Jean-Philippe […]

Mesha Stele. Photo: Mbzt 2012 / CC by 3.0

Jan 11 Blog

The Mesha Stele and King David of the Bible

By: Megan Sauter

Does the Mesha Stele mention King David of the Bible? In the ninth century BCE, King Mesha of Moab set up a stela in his […]

Nov 25 Blog

The Kurkh Monolith and Black Obelisk

By: Nathan Steinmeyer

This is the first part of an exclusive Bible History Daily series on historical texts that are important for understanding the history and world of […]

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