A 2700-year-old Hebrew seal from the First Temple period bearing the name ‘Matanyahu’ was recently uncovered near the Temple Mount.
The name is similar to Israel’s current prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and actually shares the same meaning—“Giving to God.” Archaeologist Eli Shukron said both names were “typical of the names in the Kingdom of Judah in the latter part of the First Temple period—from the end of the eighth century BCE until the destruction of the Temple in 586 BCE.” Indeed, the names are also mentioned several times in the Jewish Scriptures.
“Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah [Matanyahu], a Levite and descendant of Asaph, as he stood in the assembly.” (2 Chronicles 20: 14)
“With them were certain Levites—Shemaiah, Nethaniah [Netanyahu], Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah and Tob-Adonijah—and the priests Elishama and Jehoram.” (2 Chronicles 17:8)
This seal, which was just uncovered in the Jerusalem Archaeological Garden near the Temple Mount, is believed to be from the First Temples period and therefore, about 2700 years old.
The seal, which measures two centimeters in diameter and is made of semi- precious stone, is engraved with the name of its owner: “Lematanyah Ben Ho...”, which means “[belonging] to Matanyahu son of Ho...”.
Only the first syllable of the name of Matanyahu’s father has survived. Such personal seals would have been set in a ring and used to sign documents, in a way that is similar to their use today.
“To find a seal from the First Temple period at the foot of the Temple Mount walls is rare and very exciting,” Shukron said. “This is a tangible greeting of sorts from a man named Matanyahu who lived here more than 2,700 years ago.”
With its Herodian, Byzantine, and early Arab structures, the Jerusalem Archaeological Garden next to the Temple Mount has been a veritable gold mine for archaeologists. This site has been the source of dramatic and even monumental finds that include the most recent First Temple-era seal.
The artifact was found in the rubble on the floor of the remains of a building dating to First Temple period. The building is an amazing find in itself because it’s the closest structure to the First Temple found to date in archaeological excavations. It’s located below the base of a Roman-era drainage ditch, which is beneath Robinson’s Arch in the Jerusalem Archaeological Garden, adjacent to the Western Wall of the Temple Mount. This ancient channel is currently being exposed in Israel Antiquities Authority archaeological excavations.
In passing one wonder what was Matanyahu’s fate. Was he one of many who perished in the destruction of the First Temple and the fall of Jerusalem to the neo-Babylonians?