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"Biblical Names" Article Items

For many years, mainstream archaeology doubted the historicity of many Biblical names.  They were thought to have been largely made up by Jewish historians anxious to reclaim Israel’s past.

But the historians were wrong.  Recent archaeological discoveries have proven King David to be an actual person.  A stone inscription of his name was discovered, showing him to be an actual person.  The House of David stele was found by accident during an excavation.  A trained archaeologist noticed the rock as it had inscriptions on it—these inscriptions in written in Aramaic by Hazael, an ancient enemy of Israel.

Many other Biblical names have been uncovered in recent decades, supporting the Biblical narrative.  These include coins, bullae (clay stamps used by influential people to seal documents), and other stone inscriptions.

The importance of substantiating David’s existence can hardly be overstated, as Christ’s “throne of David” is now occupied.

Historicity of Biblical People – Judah Kings Part Two
King Josiah was a righteous kind of Judah, who removed Baal worship.

Posted on July 24, 2023 by

Categories: Archaeology, Biblical History, Biblical Names

Our prior post noted the historicity of Biblical people, such as Hezekiah.  One of the most famous kings of Juday from the Old Testament is King Josiah. History of King Josiah There are no archaeological records that directly mention King Josiah.  However, a seal bearing the name of Nathan-Melech has been found at an archaeological site in Jerusalem.  He is known from Scripture (2 Kings 23:11) to be an administrative official to Josiah. Most scholars believe in the historicity of King Josiah.  They attribute the absence of documents or artifacts mentioning him to a few documents surviving from this period. … Read More »

Apostle Peter and First New Testament
Bible with Hands

Posted on January 28, 2023 by

Categories: Biblical History, Biblical Names, Historical Evidence

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The students of the Apostle Peter confirmed the accuracy of the first New Testament, similar to those of Paul and John. Peter may be the oldest of the original disciples of Christ.  He is also known as Simon Cephas from the Aramaic version of his name.  Peter and his brother Andrew were fishermen and were about their vocation when they first met Jesus.  Peter was a fisherman and likely illiterate with little, if any, formal education and likely illiterate. Mark became very close to Peter, so much so that Peter called him “my son.” (1 Peter 12:12-16).  The early church… Read More »

Apostle Paul and First New Testament
Homeschooling achievement tests tend to be higher than those from public schools.

Posted on January 20, 2023 by

Categories: Biblical History, Biblical Names, Historical Evidence

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The Apostle Paul had many students as he spread the Christian message worldwide.  Many of these students are lost to history, but some names are preserved in his writings.  These students and their spiritual descendants become important links in the chain of custody of New Testament writings. In an earlier post, we discussed how the students of the Apostle John carried the Christian message from John to the first written New Testament in 350 AD.  Each student carried the gospel message from their predecessor and then passed it to their students. A similar situation occurred with the Apostle Paul’s students… Read More »

Apostle John and First New Testament
Ancient preserve fragments from Irenaeus writings.

Posted on January 15, 2023 by

Categories: Biblical History, Biblical Names, Historical Evidence

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The Apostle John is the only apostle who is thought to have escaped martyrdom and provided a link to the first New Testament.  He was the apostle that “Jesus loved,” who was likely the youngest apostle and lived the longest – probably until about 100 AD.  He was the son of Zebedee and Salome and James’s brother (who was probably killed by beheading by Herod Agrippa 1 early in church history in 44 AD).  Some traditions hold that Salome was the sister of Jesus’ mother, Mary.  That would make Salome Jesus’ aunt, and the sons of Zebedee would be Jesus’ first… Read More »

Secular Eyewitnesses to Christ
Jerusalem

Posted on December 26, 2022 by

Categories: Archaeology, Biblical History, Biblical Names, Historical Evidence

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I have discussed several ancient secular eyewitnesses to Christ in another post evaluating the historicity of Scripture from a broad perspective.  In this article, I am going to concentrate on the evidence substantiating the historicity of Christ. The historicity of Christ is, after all the most important question that must be answered regarding all of Scripture. As Paul said, if the Resurrection of Christ did not happen, then Christians are deluded and, above all, to be pitied.  If Christ did not exist, then neither did the Resurrection. I will only evaluate secular, extra-Biblical sources for the historicity of Christ to avoid… Read More »

Biblical People Are Confirmed

Posted on October 2, 2021 by

Categories: Archaeology, Biblical History, Biblical Names, Historical Evidence

One of the most exciting facets of Biblical history is that the identities of many Biblical people are confirmed by archaeology.  In addition to those confirmed through recent archaeological discoveries are many others whose identities are likely verified, but the evidence is unclear. The importance of these discoveries is challenging to overstate.  For years, many of these critical Biblical narratives were thought only to be mythological inventions.  Liberal theologians supposed that Jewish scribes returning from Babylonian captivity wanted to portray their history positively for future generations. Moreover, these scribes did not want the Jewish people to be associated with years… Read More »

Ancient City of Ziklag Discovered
The City of Ziklag was found at an ancient archaeological site in Israel.

Posted on August 26, 2021 by

Categories: Archaeology, Biblical History, Biblical Names, Historical Evidence

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The Biblical ancient city of Ziklag has been discovered in Israel.  The Times of Israel reports that the site was accidentally found by archaeologist Saar Ganor surveying the Elah Valley in 2007.  This valley is most popular as the site of the confrontation between King David and Golia. The boy shepherd defeated the mighty Philistine warrior with a slingshot stone knocking him unconscious. David would become king of Israel only after spending thirteen years on the run from King Saul.  Saul was jealous of David’s abilities and likely viewed him as a rival to his throne.  Saul relentlessly hunted David down… Read More »

Paul’s Conversion Date
The conversion of Paul occurred in 34 AD shortly after the Crucifixion.

Posted on August 23, 2021 by

Categories: Biblical History, Biblical Names, Historical Evidence

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Paul’s conversion date has been a topic of intense academic study for many decades. As a result, a historical narrative has been painstakingly assembled to include many important historical events relevant to ancient Christianity.  These include Herod’s death date, Christ’s birth date, John the Baptist’s ministry, Christ’s Crucifixion date, and Paul’s conversion date and death date. Remarkably, these dates can be determined with some reliability and interrelate with each other in a smooth historical narrative. Of course, the dates are certainly still a manner of considerable controversy and some speculation, and certainly, there is no consensus of agreement among historians… Read More »

Dead Sea Scrolls
The historicity of Christ is supported by secular writers.

Posted on August 21, 2021 by

Categories: Archaeology, Biblical History, Biblical Names, Historical Evidence

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The Dead Sea Scrolls represent one of the most important archaeological discoveries of the last century.  The noted American archaeologist William F. Albright called it “the greatest manuscript discovery of all times.” But, on the other hand, the French scholar Dupont-Sommer felt, It is not a single revolution in the study of biblical exegesis … [it is] a whole cascade of revolutions.” The Dead Sea Scrolls have also produced no end of controversy.  For example, William LaSor noted, In the August, 1966 issue of Harper’s Magazine, Allegro spun a story of falsification, distortions, and innuendoes, the total effect of which was… Read More »

The Destruction of Gath

Posted on August 14, 2021 by

Categories: Archaeology, Biblical History, Biblical Names, Historical Evidence

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The recent discovery of the destruction of Gath confirms the Biblical historicity of the period.  It is important because it is yet demonstration of how modern archaeology is confirming the Biblical narrative. Gath, Goliath, and David The mighty warrior Gath was one of five brothers who had come out to defeat the overwhelmed Israeli army.  Saul, the King of Israel, was despondent because it appeared all hope was lost as there was clearly nobody in his army who stood a chance in defeating Goliath in the natural.  Goliath yells curses at David and God, but the young shepherd boy is… Read More »

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