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How Has Archaeology Corroborated the Bible?

The Significance of Biblical Archaeology


Biblical archaeology involves the exploration and analysis of ancient artifacts, writings, structures, and other remains that provide insights into the historical context of the Bible. This field of study has unearthed a wealth of information that not only sheds light on the way things were in biblical times but also corroborates the biblical narrative. The artifacts discovered include pottery, ruins of buildings, clay tablets, written inscriptions, documents, monuments, and chronicles recorded on stone.


By the early 20th century, archaeology had become a rigorous discipline, with major universities and museums in Europe and America sponsoring expeditions to biblical lands. These efforts have demonstrated the Bible's authenticity, showing its accuracy down to the tiniest details.



The Tower of Babel


According to Genesis 11:1-9, the Tower of Babel was a mighty construction. Archaeologists have uncovered the ruins of several ziggurats in and around ancient Babylon, including the temple of Etemenanki. These pyramid-like, staged temple-towers often contain inscriptions like "Its top shall reach the heavens." King Nebuchadnezzar is recorded saying, "I raised the summit of the Tower of stages at Etemenanki so that its top rivalled the heavens." One fragment even relates the fall of a ziggurat, echoing the biblical account: "The building of this temple offended the gods. In a night they threw down what had been built. They scattered them abroad, and made strange their speech. The progress they impeded."




The Water Tunnels at the Spring of Gihon


In 1867, Charles Warren discovered a water channel running from the Spring of Gihon towards the City of David, thought to be the way David’s men first penetrated the city (2 Samuel 5:6-10). By 1911, the entire tunnel system leading from the Gihon spring was cleared. A significant tunnel, averaging six feet in height and chiseled for 1,749 feet through solid rock, led from Gihon to the Pool of Siloam. An inscription in early Hebrew script found in the tunnel describes the engineering feat: "And when the tunnel was driven through, the quarrymen hewed (the rock), each man toward his fellow, axe against axe; and the water flowed from the spring toward the reservoir for 1,200 cubits." This engineering marvel corresponds to 2 Kings 20:20 and 2 Chronicles 32:30.



Shishak’s Victory Relief


Shishak, king of Egypt, is mentioned several times in the Bible (1 Kings 14:25-28; 2 Chronicles 12:1-12). For years, the Bible was the only record of his invasion of Judah. However, a large relief in hieroglyphics and pictures on the south wall of a vast Egyptian temple at Karnak, discovered later, confirms this biblical account. The relief depicts the Egyptian god Amon bringing 156 manacled Palestinian prisoners to Pharaoh Shishak. The names of several cities and villages mentioned align with biblical locations, such as Rabbith, Taanach, Beth-shean, and Megiddo (Joshua 17:11), Gibeon (Joshua 18:25), and Socoh (Joshua 15:35). This archaeological evidence supports the biblical record of Shishak's invasion.





The Moabite Stone


Discovered in 1868 by F. A. Klein at Dhiban (Dibon), the Moabite Stone is an ancient inscription that provides King Mesha’s version of his revolt against Israel (2 Kings 1:1; 3:4-5). The stone reads, "I am Mesha, son of Chemosh, king of Moab, the Dibonite... As for Omri, king of Israel, he humbled Moab many years, for Chemosh was angry at his land. And his son followed him and he also said, 'I will humble Moab.' In my time he spoke, but I have triumphed over him and over his house, while Israel has perished forever!" The stone mentions the divine name in the form of the Tetragrammaton and references several Bible places, confirming their historicity.



King Sennacherib’s Prism


The invasion of Judah by the Assyrians under King Sennacherib in 732 B.C.E. is detailed in 2 Kings 18:13–19:37, 2 Chronicles 32:1-22, and Isaiah 35:1–37:38. Excavations of Sennacherib’s palace at Nineveh revealed clay cylinders, known as the Taylor Prism, which contain his annals. The prism boasts, "As to Hezekiah, the Jew, he did not submit to my yoke, I laid siege to 46 of his strong cities... Himself [Hezekiah] I made a prisoner in Jerusalem, his royal residence, like a bird in a cage." This corroborates the biblical account, though Sennacherib's prism omits his defeat when Jehovah’s angel destroyed 185,000 soldiers (2 Kings 19:35-36).




The Lachish Letters


Lachish, a fortress city mentioned over 20 times in the Bible, was extensively excavated, revealing 21 ostraca, known as the Lachish Letters. These letters reflect the urgency of Judah's situation during Nebuchadnezzar’s invasion. One letter reads, "May YHWH let my lord hear even now tidings of good... we are watching for the fire signals of Lachish, according to all the signs which my lord gives, because we do not see Azekah." This confirms Jeremiah 34:7, which mentions Lachish and Azekah as the last fortified cities. The frequent use of the divine name in the letters shows its everyday usage among Jews at the time.




The Nabonidus Chronicle


Excavations near Baghdad in the 19th century uncovered the Nabonidus Chronicle, which records the fall of Babylon in 539 B.C.E. (Daniel 5:30-31). The chronicle states, "In the month of Tashritu... when Cyrus attacked the army of Akkad in Opis on the Tigris... the 14th day, Sippar was seized without battle. Nabonidus fled. The 16th day Gobryas, the governor of Gutium and the army of Cyrus entered Babylon without battle." This document helps establish the date of Babylon's fall and corroborates the biblical account of Cyrus' conquest.




The Cyrus Cylinder


The Cyrus Cylinder, discovered after Cyrus began ruling as king of Persia, records his capture of Babylon in 539 B.C.E. and his policy of restoring captive peoples. The cylinder states, "I am Cyrus, king of the world... I returned to [certain previously named] sacred cities on the other side of the Tigris... I also gathered all their [former] inhabitants and returned [to them] their habitations." This aligns with Cyrus' decree for the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple, as prophesied by Isaiah 44:28 and 45:1.




The Denarius Coin with Tiberius' Inscription


Jesus' ministry took place during the rule of Tiberius Caesar, confirmed by the discovery of a silver denarius coin bearing his image and inscription. This coin, circulated around 15 C.E., aligns with Tiberius' rule starting in 14 C.E. and supports the biblical account of Jesus' interaction regarding the payment of taxes to Caesar (Mark 12:15-17; Luke 3:1-2).



Pontius Pilate Inscription


In 1961, an archaeological find at Caesarea revealed a stone slab bearing the name of Pontius Pilate, corroborating the biblical account of Pilate's role as the Roman governor who presided over Jesus' trial (John 19:13).




The Areopagus


Paul delivered a famous speech at the Areopagus in Athens, Greece, in 50 C.E. (Acts 17:16-34). The Areopagus, a rocky hill northwest of the Acropolis, still stands today, confirming the setting for Paul's speech and illustrating the historical accuracy of the biblical narrative.



The Arch of Titus


The Arch of Titus in Rome, completed after Titus' death in 81 C.E., depicts the triumphal procession following the destruction of Jerusalem and its temple in 70 C.E. This arch, featuring the sacred furniture from the temple, including the seven-branched lampstand and the table of showbread, corroborates Jesus' prophecy of Jerusalem's destruction (Matthew 23:37–24:2; Luke 19:43-44; 21:20-24).




The Importance of Archaeological Evidence


The discovery of ancient manuscripts and artifacts has often demonstrated the historical, chronological, and geographical reliability of the Bible. However, it is crucial to recognize that archaeology is not an infallible field of study. Archaeological findings are subject to human interpretation, which can change over time. Despite this, archaeology has provided substantial support for the truthfulness of the Bible and has made it more intelligible by offering a fuller understanding of its background and setting. As noted by Sir Frederic Kenyon, former director of the British Museum, archaeology has rendered the Bible "more intelligible through a fuller knowledge of its background and setting."



The Enduring Reliability of the Bible


The Bible contains within itself incontrovertible evidence of its authenticity as the word of the living and enduring God (1 Peter 1:23). The numerous archaeological discoveries that corroborate the biblical record provide an added layer of confirmation for believers, affirming that their faith is grounded in a historically accurate and divinely inspired text. This intersection of archaeology and biblical studies continues to enrich our understanding of God's word and its place in history.


The Role of Faith and Archaeology


While archaeological findings have supported the Bible's historical accuracy, faith ultimately rests on the Bible itself (Romans 10:9; Hebrews 11:6). The discoveries in archaeology enhance our appreciation and understanding of the biblical narrative but are not the foundation of our faith. The Bible stands as the authentic word of God, and archaeology serves as a valuable tool that complements and enriches our study of the Scriptures.


A Call to Continued Exploration


As we continue to explore the ancient world through archaeology, new discoveries will likely further illuminate the historical context of the Bible. These findings will not only enhance our understanding of biblical events and cultures but also provide additional evidence supporting the reliability and accuracy of the Scriptures. The ongoing relationship between archaeology and biblical studies underscores the timeless relevance and enduring truth of God's word.


About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).


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