New Archaeological Evidence for the OT

Austrian Assyriologist Michael Jursa (Wikipedia) has discovered a 2,500-year-old stone tablet bearing the name Nabu-sharrussu-ukin, the chief eunuch of Nebuchadnezzar II, king of Babylon. Here is the full translation of the tablet:

(Regarding) 1.5 minas (0.75 kg) of gold, the property of Nabu-sharrussu-ukin, the chief eunuch, which he sent via Arad-Banitu the eunuch to [the temple] Esangila: Arad-Banitu has delivered [it] to Esangila. In the presence of Bel-usat, son of Alpaya, the royal bodyguard, [and of] Nadin, son of Marduk-zer-ibni. Month XI, day 18, year 10 [of] Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon.

The name, date, and identification of Nabu-sharrussu-ukin as the chief eunuch purportedly match and confirm the historical accuracy of the account in Jeremiah, which in 39:3 refers to Nebo-Sarsekim as a chief officer of Nebuchadnezzar II in the context of the siege of Jerusalem in 587 BC.

Evidence from non-Biblical sources of people named in the Bible is not unknown, but Nabu-sharrussu-ukin would have been a relatively insignificant figure.

“This is a fantastic discovery, a world-class find,” Dr Finkel said yesterday. “If Nebo-Sarsekim existed, which other lesser figures in the Old Testament existed? A throwaway detail in the Old Testament turns out to be accurate and true. I think that it means that the whole of the narrative [of Jeremiah] takes on a new kind of power.”

Some are calling this “the most important find in Biblical archaeology for 100 years.”

I’m still trying to make sense out of this. I don’t have a Hebrew text and lexicon handy, so I can’t make sense of the details yet. I’ll check on this tonight and post an update tomorrow.

Read more:

News

• 24 Hour Museum: British Museum Makes Important Breakthrough in Biblical Archaeology
• The Australian: Tablet aids Old Testament’s credibility
• Catholic News: Babylon clay tablet confirms Jeremiah
• Daily India: Austrian academic discovers name of Babylon King Nebuchadnezzar II’s chief eunuch
• Herald Sun: Discovery backs Old Testament
• Israel National News: Babylonian King’s Eunuch Really Existed!
• Telegraph: Tiny tablet provides proof for Old Testament
• TimesOnline: Museum’s tablet lends new weight to Biblical truth

Bloggers

• Todd Bolen at BiblePlaces Blog: A New Reference to a Biblical Figure
• Jim West: More Claims For Archaeological “Proof”

Follow-up post:

• Most Important Biblical Archaeological Find in 100 Years?

Like this post? Subscribe to our feed .