Ophel Cave of 'Redemption of Zion' Coins
A refuge cave beside the Temple Mount sealed in 70 CE with bronze coins of the revolt's last year
Found 2018 — Eilat Mazar (Hebrew University), Ophel excavations
Where The Ophel, south of the Temple Mount, Yerushalayim (Jerusalem) (Israel)
Dates from 66–70 CE · Early Roman (First Jewish Revolt) · Fall of Jerusalem foretold by Yeshua (Jesus); a generation after the crucifixion
Now at Israel Antiquities Authority collections (Hebrew University Ophel excavation finds)
How Ophel Cave of 'Redemption of Zion' Coins was found
A cave about 15 by 8 metres, untouched since the revolt, was opened during the renewed Ophel dig in early 2018. Among pottery and other household goods lay dozens of bronze coins, mostly 'Year Four' issues struck in the final months before the Roman assault. Announced March 2018.
What it is
Dozens of bronze coins of the Jewish revolt against Rome. The earlier ones read 'Year Two, Freedom of Zion'; the majority read 'Year Four, To the Redemption of Zion' and carry images of the four species of Sukkot (palm branch, citron) and the cup of the Temple. They lay in a natural cave used as a hideout, with jars and cooking pots, near the Temple's southern wall.
Why it matters for the Bible
The coins change their slogan from 'freedom' to 'redemption' as the war turns hopeless, a small window into the mood of Yerushalayim in its last months, the very siege Yeshua had described. The cave sits within sight of the Temple that fell in the summer of 70 CE and was never reopened until the excavators found it.
The Hebrew word: ge-oo-LAH
גְּאֻלָּה
גְּאֻלָּה is pronounced ge-oo-LAH and means redemption; the word stamped on the Year Four coins (Strong's H1353).
Places
- Zion — צִיּוֹן (tzee-YOHN) — Zion, the hill and city of Jerusalem
Events
First Jewish Revolt, 66–70 CE · Roman siege and destruction of the Temple
Ophel Cave of 'Redemption of Zion' Coins in Scripture
Nehemiah 3:26 First mention of Ophel in Scripture.
Luke 21:20 'When you see Yerushalayim surrounded by armies, know that its desolation is near'; the coins were struck as that siege closed in.
Luke 21:28 'Your redemption draws near', the same word geulah the rebels stamped on their last coins.
Questions people ask
What is Ophel Cave of 'Redemption of Zion' Coins?
Dozens of bronze coins of the Jewish revolt against Rome. The earlier ones read 'Year Two, Freedom of Zion'; the majority read 'Year Four, To the Redemption of Zion' and carry images of the four species of Sukkot (palm branch, citron) and the cup of the Temple. They lay in a natural cave used as a hideout, with jars and cooking pots, near the Temple's southern wall.
When was Ophel Cave of 'Redemption of Zion' Coins discovered?
It was found in 2018 by Eilat Mazar (Hebrew University), Ophel excavations, at The Ophel, south of the Temple Mount, Yerushalayim (Jerusalem).
Where is Ophel Cave of 'Redemption of Zion' Coins today?
Israel Antiquities Authority collections (Hebrew University Ophel excavation finds).
Which Bible verses does Ophel Cave of 'Redemption of Zion' Coins relate to?
Nehemiah 3:26, Luke 21:20, Luke 21:28.
Related discoveries
- מְנוֹרָהThe Ophel Treasure and Gold Menorah MedallionA Byzantine-era hoard with a 10-cm gold medallion showing menorah, shofar and Torah scroll
- חוֹמָהOphel Wall and GatehouseA fortification line south of the Temple Mount attributed to Solomon
- יְבוּסִיOphel Cuneiform Tablet FragmentThe oldest written text found in Jerusalem, a scrap of an Amarna-age royal letter
- עֹפֶלOphel Pithos InscriptionThe oldest alphabetic writing found in Jerusalem
- עֹפֶלJerusalem's Rock-Cut Northern MoatA 9-metre-deep trench that cut the City of David off from the Temple Mount, identified in 2023
- מֶלֶךְ יְהוּדָהRoyal Bulla of Hezekiah'Belonging to Hezekiah [son of] Ahaz, king of Judah' — the king's own seal impression
Sources
- Times of Israel, 'Rare trove of bronze Jewish Revolt coins unearthed near Temple Mount' (Mar 2018)
- Biblical Archaeology Society, 'Ophel Excavations Uncover Jewish Revolt Coins in Rebel Hideout'
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