The Broad Wall
Seven-metre-thick fortification from Hezekiah's expansion of Jerusalem
Found 1970 — Nahman Avigad (Hebrew University), Jewish Quarter excavations 1969–1982
Where Jewish Quarter, Old City of Yerushalayim (Jerusalem) (Israel)
Dates from late 8th century BCE · Iron Age IIB · Reign of Chizkiyahu (Hezekiah)
Now at In situ; a 65 m stretch is displayed in the Jewish Quarter, Jerusalem
How The Broad Wall was found
Uncovered while clearing the ruined Jewish Quarter for rebuilding after 1967. The wall cut through earlier houses, showing it was built in a hurry over existing homes.
What it is
A massive stone wall about 7 m thick, preserved up to 3.3 m high, running across the Western Hill. Pottery beneath and beside it dates it to the late 8th century BCE. Houses were demolished to make room for it.
Why it matters for the Bible
It proved that Jerusalem had grown far beyond the City of David by Hezekiah's time, probably swollen by refugees from the fallen northern kingdom. Isaiah 22:10 says the people 'broke down the houses to fortify the wall' — and the wall does sit on demolished houses. Some scholars attribute it to Uzziah or Manasseh instead, but Hezekiah's reign remains the majority view.
The Hebrew word: ha-cho-MAH ha-re-chah-VAH
הַחוֹמָה הָרְחָבָה
הַחוֹמָה הָרְחָבָה is pronounced ha-cho-MAH ha-re-chah-VAH and means the Broad Wall (Strong's H2346 + H7342).
People this discovery connects to
- Hezekiah — חִזְקִיָּהוּ (Chiz-kee-YAH-hoo) — YHVH strengthens
Places
- Jerusalem — יְרוּשָׁלַיִם (ye-roo-shah-LAH-yim) — foundation of peace (traditional)
Events
Fortifying Jerusalem before Sennacherib's invasion
The Broad Wall in Scripture
Nehemiah 3:8 Nehemiah's builders repaired 'as far as the Broad Wall', the name Avigad gave the find.
Nehemiah 12:38 One of only 2 verses that name broad wall.
Questions people ask
What is The Broad Wall?
A massive stone wall about 7 m thick, preserved up to 3.3 m high, running across the Western Hill. Pottery beneath and beside it dates it to the late 8th century BCE. Houses were demolished to make room for it.
When was The Broad Wall discovered?
It was found in 1970 by Nahman Avigad (Hebrew University), Jewish Quarter excavations 1969–1982, at Jewish Quarter, Old City of Yerushalayim (Jerusalem).
Where is The Broad Wall today?
In situ; a 65 m stretch is displayed in the Jewish Quarter, Jerusalem.
Which Bible verses does The Broad Wall relate to?
Nehemiah 3:8, Nehemiah 12:38.
Related discoveries
- תְּעָלָהHezekiah's Tunnel (Siloam Tunnel)533-metre rock-cut water channel bringing the Gihon Spring inside Jerusalem's walls
- נִקְבָּהSiloam InscriptionHebrew record of the moment two tunnelling crews met under Jerusalem
- מִגְדָּלThe Israelite TowerAvigad's 8th–7th century BCE gate tower with Babylonian arrowheads in the ash of 586 BCE
- מָצוֹרSennacherib's Prism (Taylor, Chicago and Jerusalem Prisms)Assyrian annals: 'Hezekiah the Judean I shut up like a bird in a cage'
- מֶלֶךְ יְהוּדָהRoyal Bulla of Hezekiah'Belonging to Hezekiah [son of] Ahaz, king of Judah' — the king's own seal impression
- בָּמָהLachish Gate Shrine and Desecrated ToiletA gate sanctuary with broken altar horns and a stone latrine — Hezekiah's reform in action?
Sources
- Wikipedia, 'Broad Wall (Jerusalem)'
- Avigad, Discovering Jerusalem (1983)