Inscription found at Tel Miqne, which records the dedication of a temple, confirms the identification of the site as Ekron, one of the five Philistine capital cities. (Tel Miqne/Ekron publications)
Posted on 11/20/2006 9:03:51 PM PST by SunkenCiv
An inscription carved into a limestone slab found at Tel Miqne, 23 miles southwest of Jerusalem, confirms the identification of the site as Ekron, one of the five Philistine capital cities mentioned in the Bible. The inscription is unique because it contains the name of a biblical city and five of its rulers, two of whom are mentioned as kings in texts other than the Bible. The only such inscription found in situ in a securely defined, datable archaeological context, it has far-reaching implications for our understanding of the history of Ekron and Philistia... The inscription was found in the Babylonian destruction debris of a 186-by-124-foot structure, known as Temple Complex 650, in the elite zone on the site's lower tel. Consisting of 72 letters in five lines, it reads: The temple which he built, 'kys (Achish, Ikausu) son of Padi, son of Ysd, son of Ada, son of Ya'ir, ruler of Ekron, for Ptgyh his lady. May she bless him, and protect him, and prolong his days, and bless his land.
...The inscription records the dedication of the temple by Ikausu, son of Padi, both of whom Assyrian records refer to as kings of Ekron. Padi is mentioned in annals of Sennacherib in the context of the Assyrian king's 701 B.C. campaign. The kings Ysd, Ada, and Ya'ir, forefathers of Ikausu in the inscription, are otherwise unknown. The name Ikausu is interesting in that it is the only non-Semitic name among those of the eighth- and seventh-century Philistine kings mentioned in the Assyrian records. It may be related to the word Achaean, meaning Greek.
(Excerpt) Read more at archaeology.org ...
Inscription found at Tel Miqne, which records the dedication of a temple, confirms the identification of the site as Ekron, one of the five Philistine capital cities. (Tel Miqne/Ekron publications)
Excavating EkronThe Philistines were the chief adversary of Biblical Israel in the 12th and 11th centuries B.C.E. They were also the conquerors of the Canaanite cities of the southern coastal plain. At the beginning of the first millennium B.C.E., however, the Philistine cities were destroyed and the Philistines themselves seem to have become a casualty of history, as they apparently disappeared from the archaeological and historical record. This was the conclusion of most historians and archaeologists—until we began to excavate the Philistine site of Tel Miqne (Biblical Ekron), on the border of the Israelite hill country, 22 miles southwest of Jerusalem. Israeli archaeologist Trude Dothan and I jointly directed this excavation for 14 seasons before we concluded in 1996. The excavation produced dramatic new evidence that has radically altered our understanding of Philistine history.
by Seymour Gitin
Biblical Archaeology Review
What were regarded as the distinctive features of Philistine culture, indeed, did disappear. As the archaeological evidence piled up, however, it became clear that the Philistines continued to exist, although they had adopted features of other cultures. However—and this is the important point—they also retained their ethnic identity as Philistines, only to be obliterated in the path of the Babylonian assaults of the late seventh century and early sixth century B.C.E. Those assaults also destroyed Jerusalem, burned the Temple and put an end to the state of Judah and the 400-year dynasty founded by King David.
Israeli archaeologists find cache of Philistine vesselsThe vessels are thought to have been used religious rituals and date back to the 9th and 10th century BC... He said the vessels are known as cultic stands and were likely buried in the pit because they were regarded as sacred. Some have intricate inscriptions and red, black and white geometric patterns. Some of the designs have not been seen before. It's believed they show either symbols of houses of the gods, or were used to burn incense or hold idols.
Tuesday 12th November 2002
Giving Goliath His Due:The name Goliath, like Achish, is not Semitic, but rather Anatolian (McCarter 1980, 291, Mitchell 1967, 415; Wainwright 1959, 79). Not all agree though; the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (2:524) proposes that Goliath may have been a remnant of one of the aboriginal groups of giants of Palestine who now were in the employ of the Philistines. [1. Naveh (1985, 9, 13 n. 14) states that Ikausu, the name of the king of Ekron in the seventh century b.c., is a non-Semitic name that can be associated with that of the Achish of Gath in David's time. The name in the seventh century has a shin ending that is non-West Semitic.
New Archaeological Light on the Philistines
by Neal Bierling
foreword by Paul L. Maier
new edition
old edition
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[from the KJV]
Genesis 10:14 And Pathrusim, and Casluhim, (out of whom came Philistim,) and Caphtorim.
Deuteronomy 2:23 And the Avims which dwelt in Hazerim, even unto Azzah, the Caphtorims, which came forth out of Caphtor, destroyed them, and dwelt in their stead.)
Jeremiah 47:4 Because of the day that cometh to spoil all the Philistines, and to cut off from Tyrus and Zidon every helper that remaineth: for the LORD will spoil the Philistines, the remnant of the country of Caphtor.
Amos 9:7 Are ye not as children of the Ethiopians unto me, O children of Israel? saith the LORD. Have not I brought up Israel out of the land of Egypt? and the Philistines from Caphtor, and the Syrians from Kir?
BTT. I long for a day of peace such that I may see this once before I die. Too bad I won't make 300.
Ping
Ptgyh his lady.
How in the dickins does one say Ptgyh? It sounds like spitting?
Thanks for the post.
On this statement -
The temple which he built, 'kys (Achish, Ikausu) son of Padi, son of Ysd, son of Ada, son of Ya'ir, ruler of Ekron, for Ptgyh his lady. May she bless him, and protect him, and prolong his days, and bless his land.
Looks like the boy backed the wrong horse.
Luckily her sister, Frtngh, was married off to a different king. Close call.
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Note: this topic is from 11/20/2006. One of *those* topics.
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