Tomb of the Bene Hezir Priestly Inscription
A Hasmonean-era rock tomb in the Kidron naming a family of priests from the biblical course of Hezir
Found 1865 — Known since antiquity; the Hebrew inscription was first read and published by Charles Clermont-Ganneau and studied in detail by Nahman Avigad (1954); a Paleo-Hebrew graffito was noted by Nahum Slouschz in 1924
Where Kidron Valley, east of the Temple Mount, Yerushalayim (Jerusalem) (Israel)
Dates from 2nd–1st century BCE (inscription possibly 1st century BCE) · Hellenistic (Hasmonean) · Between the Testaments; the priestly courses still serving in the Second Temple
Now at In situ, Kidron Valley (Israel Antiquities Authority site)
Names a biblical person Hezir (Not contemporary: 1st-century BCE Hebrew inscription names the priestly family "sons of Hezir" (1 Chr 24:15 course); eponymous ancestor named, not the individual himself.)
How Tomb of the Bene Hezir Priestly Inscription was found
The tomb has always been visible in the Kidron cliff beside the so-called Tomb of Zechariah; the three-line Hebrew text is carved on the architrave above the two Doric columns of its facade.
What it is
A rock-cut tomb with a Doric porch of two columns leading to burial chambers. The Hebrew inscription in square script reads: 'This is the tomb and the nefesh (monument) of Eleazar, Haniah, Yoezer, Yehudah, Shimon, Yochanan, sons of Yosef son of Oved; Yosef and Eleazar sons of Haniah, priests of the sons of Hezir.'
Why it matters for the Bible
Hezir is the seventeenth of the 24 priestly courses that David organized in 1 Chronicles 24, and a Hezir also signs Nehemiah's covenant. This inscription shows the family still serving as kohanim in the Second Temple and burying its dead in style within sight of the Temple. It is one of the very few tomb inscriptions from Yerushalayim that can be tied to a name in the Bible's priestly lists. The 'nefesh' it mentions is likely the pyramid-topped monument next door, popularly called the Tomb of Zechariah.
The Hebrew word: koh-hah-NEEM
כֹּהֲנִים
כֹּהֲנִים is pronounced koh-hah-NEEM and means priests (Strong's H3548).
People this discovery connects to
- Hezir — חֵזִיר (cheh-ZEER) — swine; a priestly family name
Places
- Kidron — קִדְרוֹן (kid-ROHN) — dark, turbid (valley)
Events
David's division of the priests into 24 courses · Sealing of the covenant under Nehemiah
Tomb of the Bene Hezir Priestly Inscription in Scripture
Nehemiah 10:20 A Hezir seals the covenant with Nehemiah, showing the family in post-exilic Yerushalayim.
1 Chronicles 24:15 'The seventeenth to Hezir'; the tomb belongs to priests of this course.
Questions people ask
What is Tomb of the Bene Hezir Priestly Inscription?
A rock-cut tomb with a Doric porch of two columns leading to burial chambers. The Hebrew inscription in square script reads: 'This is the tomb and the nefesh (monument) of Eleazar, Haniah, Yoezer, Yehudah, Shimon, Yochanan, sons of Yosef son of Oved; Yosef and Eleazar sons of Haniah, priests of the sons of Hezir.'
When was Tomb of the Bene Hezir Priestly Inscription discovered?
It was found in 1865 by Known since antiquity; the Hebrew inscription was first read and published by Charles Clermont-Ganneau and studied in detail by Nahman Avigad (1954); a Paleo-Hebrew graffito was noted by Nahum Slouschz in 1924, at Kidron Valley, east of the Temple Mount, Yerushalayim (Jerusalem).
Where is Tomb of the Bene Hezir Priestly Inscription today?
In situ, Kidron Valley (Israel Antiquities Authority site).
Which Bible verses does Tomb of the Bene Hezir Priestly Inscription relate to?
Nehemiah 10:20, 1 Chronicles 24:15.
Related discoveries
- יָדAbsalom's Pillar and the Kidron Valley TombsMonumental Second Temple tombs Yeshua would have seen from the Mount of Olives
- נָשָׂא'Alexander Son of Simon' Ossuary (Cyrene Tomb)A bone box from a tomb of Cyrenian Jews that may name the son of Simon who carried the cross
- קֶבֶרHorbat Ha-Gardi ('Tomb of the Maccabees')The monumental structure near Modi'in long claimed as the Maccabees' family tomb, re-excavated in 2015
- נֶפֶשׁJason's TombA Hasmonean family tomb in Rehavia with a Doric porch, ship graffiti and a lament for Jason
- שָׂרַףThe Burnt House (House of Kathros)A priestly home in the Upper City burned in 70 CE, with the family's name on a stone weight
- טָהֳרָהHerodian Quarter and the Palatial MansionWealthy priestly homes of the Upper City with mosaics, frescoes and ritual baths
Sources
- Wikipedia, 'Tomb of Benei Hezir'
- Madain Project, 'Tomb of Benei Hezir'
- N. Avigad, Ancient Monuments in the Kidron Valley (1954, Hebrew)
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