Khirbet Qeiyafa Ostracon
Five lines of early alphabetic writing from the days of David
Found 2008 — Expedition of Yosef Garfinkel and Saar Ganor; found in the field by volunteer Oded Yair
Where Khirbet Qeiyafa, Elah Valley (Israel)
Dates from c. 1020–980 BCE · Iron Age IIA (early) · Reigns of Shaul (Saul) and David
Now at Israel Museum, Jerusalem (Iron Age gallery, since 2010)
How Khirbet Qeiyafa Ostracon was found
Lying face down on the floor of a room near the western gate, among pottery of the single Iron IIA occupation. The faint ink letters were noticed when the sherd was washed.
What it is
A trapezoid potsherd about 15 by 16.5 cm with five lines of ink writing in an early alphabetic (Proto-Canaanite) script, written left to right. Roughly 70 letters survive, many badly faded. The words 'do not do', 'judge', 'slave', 'widow', and 'king' can be read by most scholars, but the full text is uncertain.
Why it matters for the Bible
This is one of the oldest alphabetic texts ever found in the land of Israel, and it comes from a Judahite fortress dated by radiocarbon to the time of David. It shows that writing was in use at a small frontier town in the early tenth century, which weighs against the claim that Judah was illiterate until much later. Some readings see a call to protect the widow and orphan that echoes Torah ethics; others caution that the text may be Canaanite rather than Hebrew and that its meaning is far from settled.
The Hebrew word: shah-FAHT
שָׁפַט
שָׁפַט is pronounced shah-FAHT and means to judge — a root several scholars read on the ostracon (Strong's H8199).
People this discovery connects to
- David — דָּוִד (Dah-VEED) — beloved
Places
- Shaaraim — שַׁעֲרַיִם (Sha-ah-RAH-yim) — two gates
Events
Early Israelite literacy and law in the Shephelah
Khirbet Qeiyafa Ostracon in Scripture
Exodus 22:22-24 The command not to mistreat the widow and orphan; some readings of the ostracon contain similar language.
1 Samuel 8:5 Israel asks for a king to judge them; the words 'king' and 'judge' are among the clearer readings on the sherd.
1 Samuel 16:13 First mention of David in Scripture.
Questions people ask
What is Khirbet Qeiyafa Ostracon?
A trapezoid potsherd about 15 by 16.5 cm with five lines of ink writing in an early alphabetic (Proto-Canaanite) script, written left to right. Roughly 70 letters survive, many badly faded. The words 'do not do', 'judge', 'slave', 'widow', and 'king' can be read by most scholars, but the full text is uncertain.
When was Khirbet Qeiyafa Ostracon discovered?
It was found in 2008 by Expedition of Yosef Garfinkel and Saar Ganor; found in the field by volunteer Oded Yair, at Khirbet Qeiyafa, Elah Valley.
Where is Khirbet Qeiyafa Ostracon today?
Israel Museum, Jerusalem (Iron Age gallery, since 2010).
Which Bible verses does Khirbet Qeiyafa Ostracon relate to?
Exodus 22:22-24, 1 Samuel 8:5, 1 Samuel 16:13.
Is Khirbet Qeiyafa Ostracon authentic?
Authenticity and date are secure. The language (Hebrew vs. Canaanite/Phoenician) and nearly every proposed translation are contested; some scholars decline to translate it at all.
Related discoveries
- שַׁעֲרַיִםKhirbet QeiyafaA fortified Judahite city with two gates overlooking the Elah Valley
- צְלָעוֹתKhirbet Qeiyafa Model ShrinesTwo miniature shrines with architecture echoing Solomon's Temple
- אֶשְׁבַּעַלIshbaal son of Beda InscriptionA jar bearing the same name as Saul's son
- צִקְלַגTel Sera' (Tell esh-Shari'a): Ziklag CandidateAn Egyptian governor's residence and hieratic tax receipts in the town many identify as David's Ziklag
- אַרְגָּמָןTimna Valley Copper Mines and 'Slaves' Hill'Tenth-century smelting camps and a scrap of royal purple cloth
- גִּיחוֹןGihon Spring Tower and Pool TowerGiant fortifications guarding Jerusalem's only spring
Sources
- Misgav, Garfinkel & Ganor, 'The Ostracon', in Khirbet Qeiyafa Vol. 1 (2009)
- Wikipedia: Khirbet Qeiyafa ostracon
- Rollston, 'Reflections on the Qeiyafa Ostracon'