Biblical site of Ziklag finally identified?

Jerusalem Post ^ | July 21, 2020 | Alex Winston

[SunkenCiv]

The location of Ziklag, a settlement mentioned several times in Jewish scriptures, has long been debated. To date, up to 15 sites have been suggested by archaeologists attempting to find the biblical town, such as Tel Halif near Kibbutz Lahav, Tel Shera in the western Negev, and Tel Sheva...

According to the Book of Samuel, the city was destroyed by the Amalekites and the population was enslaved. After Saul was killed in battle with the Philistines, David left Ziklag and traveled to Hebron to be anointed king of Israel...

Prof. Moshe Garsiel, professor emeritus of Bible at Bar-Ilan University, and his wife, Dr. Bat Sheva Garsiel, who is a Koranic expert, have used Arabic toponymy (the study of place names) and local Islamic traditions to come to the conclusion that the real location of Ziklag is Tel a-Sharia, based on a law instituted by David regarding the sharing of spoils of war. Garsiel explains that Arabic names of sites do not preserve the old biblical names, but perpetuate something of historical significance that occurred there and that local Arabs attributed to the place - and that is the basis of his theory regarding Ziklag...

Garsiel also points out the Islamic connections between the Prophet Muhammad and King David, who is held in high esteem in Islamic tradition and was honored with the title 'halif.' The archaeological site Tel Halif is only a few kilometers from Tel a-Sharia and Garsiel says it is also named in honor of King David.

[SunkenCiv]

Tel a Sheria (photo credit: Danny Gershoni/Wikimedia Commons)

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[SunkenCiv]

Whoops. Took a break, and when I got back I forgot I'd stuck the two FRchival Ziklag topics into the raw file.

• Archaeologists announce discovery of the biblical city of Ziklag
• Rare figurines uncovered at lost biblical city

[MadMax, the Grinning Reaper]

That photo really “tels” me a lot about the site. /sarc

[Adder]

but perpetuate something of historical significance that occurred there

Bet they have a lot of Goat Hills...