Posted on 07/11/2007 12:24:29 PM PDT by ScaniaBoy
(IsraelNN.com) A routine research visit to the British Museum nets a landmark archaeological discovery and proof of the Old Testament's truth.
British newspapers report that ancient Babylonian expert Dr. Michael Jursa of Vienna discovered a small clay tablet that provides proof of the Old Testament's veracity. Though the tablet was unearthed near Baghdad in 1920, only last week was it deciphered for the first time, by Dr. Jursa.
Upon reading the tablet, which records a donation of gold by "the chief eunuch of King Nebuchadnezzar," a man named Nabu-sharrussu-ukin, Jursa suddenly realized that the name sounded familiar. He quickly consulted Jeremiah 39, where he found the man's name listed as one of Nebuchadnezzar's top ministers who took part in the destruction of the First Holy Temple 2,500 years ago. The Biblical account, however, has his named spelled slightly differently: (Samgar) Nevo Sarsekim.
Irving Finkel, assistant keeper in the British Museum's Middle East Department, was very excited: "This is a fantastic discovery," he told The Telegraph, "a world-class find. If Nevo-Sarsekim existed, [then] which other lesser figures in the Old Testament existed? A throwaway detail in the Old Testament turns out to be accurate and true. I think that it means that the whole of the narrative [of Jeremiah] takes on a new kind of power."
Speaking with The Times, Finkel said, “A mundane commercial transaction takes its place as a primary witness to one of the turning points in Old Testament history. This is a tablet that deserves to be famous.”
Dr. Jursa, associate professor at the University of Vienna, said, “It’s very exciting and very surprising. Finding something like this tablet, where we see a person mentioned in the Bible making an everyday payment to the temple in Babylon and quoting the exact date, is quite extraordinary.”
Dr. Jursa has been visiting the museum for over 15 years to study a collection of more than 100,000 inscribed tablets. Reading and piecing together fragments is painstaking work, The Times reports, and more than half are yet to be published.
The full translation of the tablet, as provided in The Telegraph, reads: "[Regarding] 1.5 minas (0.75 kg) of gold, the property of Nabu-sharrussu-ukin, the chief eunuch, which he sent via Arad-Banitu the eunuch to [the temple] Esangila: Arad-Banitu has delivered [it] to Esangila. In the presence of Bel-usat, son of Alpaya, the royal bodyguard, [and of] Nadin, son of Marduk-zer-ibni. Month XI, day 18, year 10 [of] Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon."
"Not Altogether Invented" On hearing of the discovery, Geza Vermes, the eminent emeritus professor of Jewish studies at the University of Oxford, said it shows that “the Biblical story is not altogether invented."
The reactions of Vermes and Finkel indicate that the discovery has not yet totally shaken the core faith of some who believe that the Bible is not true. The Bible is merely not "altogether invented," one says, and "who knows how many other Old Testament figures may have existed?" However, many websites provide information regarding the truth of the Torah; click here for one sample site.
OMG! Your right...how could I be so blind?
It’s only, just a book...a simple literarary interlude...a compendium of anecdotes from the past.
Now you’re catching on!!! ;-)
If God really wanted to convince us that the Bible is His Inspired Word, then he should’ve had the prophets write some scientific clue in there that couldn’t possibly be known at the time - like “The way of Life is as two threads entwined” or “The mass ratio of a proton to an electron is 1836 - just because I Said So!” That would’ve gotten MY attention, I can tell you!!!
Leap then look or look then leap. It makes no difference with the Bible. It proves out either way. God doesn't change so "atavism" is the wrong word -- I prefer "true." I was an athiest who was contemptuous of those poor deluded Christians once too. The thing that has amazed me is the consistency and accuracy of the Bible once I actually looked at it and examined it. Did you know that ocean currents in the 1830's were mapped by Naval Captain Matthew Maury after reading the Bible’s description of "paths in the seas" in Psalm 8:8, which says, “The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.” That the earth is round earth is in multiple old testament passages, including possibly the oldest of all books in the Bible, Job. Detail after detail proves out, in a shocking way if you come at it with the intent to disprove. Worth examining.
He did get your attention. You are discussing it right now! As far as "life" being just the double helix, of DNA, isn't that already passe? What of the RNA which we are learning transmits critical information? Only one thread with RNA. You'd be hooting about the inaccuracy if your "proof" were there . . . Which point Christ made a number of times. Sign after sign was given. This thread is about a little one, accuracy in small, "throw-away" details of the text proven close to three thousand years after the fact.
more Biblical proof. Take that Darwinists.
God told me to tell you to go to your room.
Without supper.
The Exodus, proven via archeology: http://www.lightcatcherprod.com/products_books_riddle.shtml
I just got the book and DVD, and I am very impressed.
Interesting thread...please forward to others.
Or such political admonitions as "Woe unto he who casts his lot with the Breck Girl."
Seriously, the truth of the Bible is there for anyone with an open mind to see. There has yet to be any part of the Bible disproven via physical evidence.
As if there is some surprise that the Bible reported accurately about this person.
Isaiah did a pretty good job predicting subsequent events in the Middle East. Egyptian, Assyrian, Babylonian (Iraq) wars and destructions, the overthrow of Tyre etc. He was very specific naming cities and regions (Lebanon, Dumah, Kedar, Seir, Dedanim, etc.). The more you study the Bible (spiritually or historically) the more you realize that it has a lot of accuracy.
What I find interesting is one of his predictions for today. He predicts an Israeli, Egyptian, Assyrian Alliance.
Isaiah 19:23 ¶ In that day shall there be a highway out of Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian shall come into Egypt, and the Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyptians shall serve with the Assyrians. 24 In that day shall Israel be the third with Egypt and with Assyria, even a blessing in the midst of the land: 25 Whom the LORD of hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel mine inheritance.
Current ethnic Assyrians
Assyrian homeland
Iraq 800,000+ [1]
Syria 500,000 [1]
Iran 10,000 [2]
Turkey 5,000 [2]
Diaspora
United States 83,000 [3]
Jordan 77,000 [4][5]
Sweden 35,000 [6]
Australia 24,000 [7]
Germany 23,000 [6]
France 15,000 [8]
Russia 14,000 [9]
Canada 7,000
Genesis Chapter 1 says that Adam was created AFTER the animals were created. Genesis Chapter 2 says that Adam was created BEFORE the animals were created.
Which is it?
Take that Creationists.
Hairdryer in hand needed ping!
Nabu-sharrussu-ukin......that Babylonian for Nonads Johnson.
Genesis 1 is the short version of the creation week. Genesis 2 is a detailed account of the creation of man.
They are not out of order or one after, one before. Genesis 1 lays out the 7 days. Genesis 2 is a more detailed look at the day man was created.
Besides, the fact that Genesis 1 made animals before man existed does not rule out God making animals to show Adam that indeed, it was He, God, who made these previous animals that Adam would not have seen God make. God makes these animals in front of Adam to show Adam irrefutable proof that He, God, is the one who made these creatures. Adam can have no doubt that God is the author of life. Then God lets Adam name them.
Good Grief!!!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.