Ophel Wall and Gatehouse
A fortification line south of the Temple Mount attributed to Solomon
Found 1986 — Benjamin Mazar and Eilat Mazar (1986–87); renewed by Eilat Mazar 2009–2013, tenth-century date announced 2010
Where The Ophel, south of the Temple Mount, Yerushalayim (Jerusalem) (Israel)
Dates from c. 10th century BCE (disputed; others say 9th–8th) · Iron Age IIA (excavator's date) · Reign of Shlomo (Solomon)
Now at In situ, Jerusalem Archaeological Park (Ophel)
How Ophel Wall and Gatehouse was found
The line of a large wall with a gatehouse, tower and a 'royal structure' was traced along the southern edge of the Ophel. Mazar dated it by pottery under the floors and by the four-chambered gate plan.
What it is
A roughly 70 m stretch of city wall up to 6 m high, with a four-chambered inner gatehouse, a corner tower, and a large building interpreted as a royal structure. Storage jars, some with inscriptions, were found in the gate rooms.
Why it matters for the Bible
Mazar argued that this is part of the wall of Jerusalem that Shlomo (Solomon) built, connecting the City of David to his new palace and Temple on the mount above. If so it would be the first piece of Solomon's Jerusalem ever exposed. Many archaeologists date the wall to the ninth or eighth century instead, and note that the pottery evidence is thin. The wall does show that the Ophel was fortified as part of royal Jerusalem within a century or so of Solomon.
The Hebrew word: cho-MAH
חוֹמָה
חוֹמָה is pronounced cho-MAH and means city wall (Strong's H2346).
People this discovery connects to
- Solomon — שְׁלֹמֹה (Shlo-MOH) — his peace
Places
- Ophel — עֹפֶל (OH-fel) — hill, mound
- Jerusalem — יְרוּשָׁלַיִם (Ye-roo-shah-LAH-yim) — foundation of peace (traditional)
Events
Solomon builds the wall of Jerusalem
Ophel Wall and Gatehouse in Scripture
1 Kings 3:1 Solomon finishes 'the wall of Jerusalem'; Mazar identifies this stretch with that wall.
1 Kings 9:15 The wall of Jerusalem is listed among Solomon's building works.
Nehemiah 3:26 First mention of Ophel in Scripture.
Questions people ask
What is Ophel Wall and Gatehouse?
A roughly 70 m stretch of city wall up to 6 m high, with a four-chambered inner gatehouse, a corner tower, and a large building interpreted as a royal structure. Storage jars, some with inscriptions, were found in the gate rooms.
When was Ophel Wall and Gatehouse discovered?
It was found in 1986 by Benjamin Mazar and Eilat Mazar (1986–87); renewed by Eilat Mazar 2009–2013, tenth-century date announced 2010, at The Ophel, south of the Temple Mount, Yerushalayim (Jerusalem).
Where is Ophel Wall and Gatehouse today?
In situ, Jerusalem Archaeological Park (Ophel).
Which Bible verses does Ophel Wall and Gatehouse relate to?
1 Kings 3:1, 1 Kings 9:15, Nehemiah 3:26.
Is Ophel Wall and Gatehouse authentic?
The wall is real; its tenth-century Solomonic date is accepted by few beyond the excavator's team, with most preferring a later Iron II date.
Related discoveries
- עֹפֶלOphel Pithos InscriptionThe oldest alphabetic writing found in Jerusalem
- מְנוֹרָהThe Ophel Treasure and Gold Menorah MedallionA Byzantine-era hoard with a 10-cm gold medallion showing menorah, shofar and Torah scroll
- יְבוּסִיOphel Cuneiform Tablet FragmentThe oldest written text found in Jerusalem, a scrap of an Amarna-age royal letter
- גְּאֻלָּהOphel Cave of 'Redemption of Zion' CoinsA refuge cave beside the Temple Mount sealed in 70 CE with bronze coins of the revolt's last year
- עֹפֶלJerusalem's Rock-Cut Northern MoatA 9-metre-deep trench that cut the City of David off from the Temple Mount, identified in 2023
- שְׁבָאAxum Chapel of the TabletEthiopia's claim to hold the Ark of the Covenant
Sources
- E. Mazar, Discovering the Solomonic Wall in Jerusalem (2011)
- Finkelstein, 'The "Large Stone Structure" in Jerusalem: Reality versus Yearning', ZDPV 127 (2011)
- Armstrong Institute, 'Ophel Excavation 2009–2010' (gatehouse found 1986–87; Phase 1 2009–10)
- BiblePlaces blog, 'The Dating of Mazar's Wall' (2010)