The Birth & Death of Biblical Minimalism

Biblical Archaeology Review ^ | BAR 37:03, May/Jun 2011 | Yosef Garfinkel

[SunkenCiv]

Hardly had the minimalist argument been developed than it was profoundly undermined by an archaeological discovery. In 1993 and 1994, several fragments of an Aramaic stela were found at the long-running excavation of Tel Dan led by Avraham Biran of Hebrew Union College in Jerusalem. The historical references in the inscription and the paleography of the writing make it clear that it dates to the ninth century B.C.E. Moreover, the text specifically mentions a king of Israel and a king of the "House of David" (Hebrew, bytdwd ), that is, a king of the dynasty of David.

This discovery led to a reexamination of the well-known Mesha Stela, a contemporaneous Moabite inscription discovered more than a century ago. André Lemaire, a senior paleographer at the Sorbonne, identified in that text an additional reference to the House of David.b This was subsequently confirmed by another senior paleographer, Émile Puech of the École Biblique et Archéologique Française in Jerusalem.

Thus, there is at least one, and possibly two, clear references to the dynasty of David in the ninth century B.C.E., only 100-120 years after his reign. This is clear evidence that David was indeed a historical figure and the founding father of a dynasty.

This led to the collapse of the minimalist paradigm in which David was little more than a myth. There was a David. He was a king. And he founded a dynasty.

The minimalists reacted in panic, leading to a number of suggestions that now seem ridiculous...

[Cincinna]

Thanks, Civ
Excellent article. The more Archaeologican science uncovers, the more it confirms what is written in the Bible.

[Cincinna]

Thanks, Civ
Excellent article. The more Archaeologican science uncovers, the more it confirms what is written in the Bible.

[ThanhPhero]

That is how I have always read it. I read it that way the first time I saw the new PC designations and did not know what they stood for.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks.

[SunkenCiv]

Nice find!

[SunkenCiv]

I’m glad.

[SunkenCiv]

/bingo

[SunkenCiv]

:’D

[SunkenCiv]

Generally (thought not always) I avoid comments sections on articles, both on the www, and in letters to the editor sections of magazines and newspapers. :’) That’s a good one though.

[SunkenCiv]

My pleasure.

[Tuketu]

Thanks and I agree. Also the added letters could prevent our Marxist President from printing more money.

[Tuketu]

Having studied Latin, I am well aware of Anno Domini’s meaning. It appears you studied a different language and believe the year is 5K+ while the Muslims are a few hundred years behind in terms of AD. You may have your beliefs and I mine and on some things they do not coincide. For example, my wife and you both missed the coming of the Messiah;D

[Tuketu]

PS please try not to disrespect my views with YOUR PERSONAL views of blasphemy

[Uri’el-2012]

Having studied Latin, I am well aware of Anno Domini’s meaning. It appears you studied a different language and believe the year is 5K+ while the Muslims are a few hundred years behind in terms of AD. You may have your beliefs and I mine and on some things they do not coincide. For example, my wife and you both missed the coming of the Messiah;D PS please try not to disrespect my views with YOUR PERSONAL views of blasphemy

Welcome to FreeRepublic.

You don't seem to be a follower of the Jewish Messiah.

Seek Him and your salvation in His WORD.

Salvation is not found in man-made religions founded at Nicea in 325CE.

Psalm 146:1 Praise YHvH! Praise YHvH, O my soul!

Psalm 146:2 I will praise YHvH while I live;
I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.

Psalm 146:3 Do not trust in princes,
In mortal man, in whom there is no salvation.

shalom b'SHEM Yah'shua HaMashiach