Theodotus Synagogue Inscription
Greek dedication of a Jerusalem synagogue 'for the reading of the Law' from before 70 CE
Found 1913 — Raymond Weill (French excavation for Baron Edmond de Rothschild), City of David, December 1913
Where City of David (Ophel), Jerusalem (Israel)
Dates from 1st century BCE–1st century CE (before 70 CE) · Early Roman · Second Temple Jerusalem; synagogues of Acts 6
Now at Rockefeller Archaeological Museum, Jerusalem (IAA S-842)
How Theodotus Synagogue Inscription was found
Found dumped in a cistern on the eastern slope of the City of David (Ophel) with other building stones, apparently from a synagogue destroyed in 70 CE.
What it is
A limestone slab 75 by 41 cm with ten lines of Greek: 'Theodotus son of Vettenus, priest and archisynagogos, son of an archisynagogos, grandson of an archisynagogos, built the synagogue for the reading of the Law and the teaching of the commandments, and the guest-house and rooms and water installations for the lodging of those in need from abroad; which his fathers, the elders and Simonides founded.'
Why it matters for the Bible
It is the earliest known synagogue inscription from the Land of Israel and proves synagogues existed in Jerusalem while the Temple stood, answering skeptics of the Gospels and Acts. The Latin-style name Vettenus suggests a family of freed slaves from Rome, so this may be the 'synagogue of the Freedmen' where Stephen debated (Acts 6:9). It also shows synagogues offered lodging to pilgrims — the 'those from abroad' of Acts 2.
The Hebrew word: Rosh ha-KNEH-set
רֹאשׁ הַכְּנֶסֶת
רֹאשׁ הַכְּנֶסֶת is pronounced Rosh ha-KNEH-set and means head of the synagogue (Greek archisynagogos, G752) — the title Theodotus held (Strong's G752).
People this discovery connects to
- Stephen — סְטֵפָנוֹס (Ste-FA-nos) — Greek Stephanos, 'crown' (G4736)
Places
- Jerusalem — יְרוּשָׁלַיִם (Ye-roo-shah-LAH-yim) — foundation of peace
Events
Stephen's debate with the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Acts 6) · Pilgrims lodging in Jerusalem for the feasts
Theodotus Synagogue Inscription in Scripture
Acts 6:9 The 'Synagogue of the Freedmen' in Jerusalem — possibly Theodotus' own, founded by a family with a Roman freedman's name.
Questions people ask
What is Theodotus Synagogue Inscription?
A limestone slab 75 by 41 cm with ten lines of Greek: 'Theodotus son of Vettenus, priest and archisynagogos, son of an archisynagogos, grandson of an archisynagogos, built the synagogue for the reading of the Law and the teaching of the commandments, and the guest-house and rooms and water installations for the lodging of those in need from abroad; which his fathers, the elders and Simonides founded.'
When was Theodotus Synagogue Inscription discovered?
It was found in 1913 by Raymond Weill (French excavation for Baron Edmond de Rothschild), City of David, December 1913, at City of David (Ophel), Jerusalem.
Where is Theodotus Synagogue Inscription today?
Rockefeller Archaeological Museum, Jerusalem (IAA S-842).
Which Bible verses does Theodotus Synagogue Inscription relate to?
Acts 6:9.
Related discoveries
- מִלּוֹאStepped Stone StructureA giant stone rampart on the slope of the City of David, perhaps the biblical Millo
- חוֹתָםGedaliah son of Pashhur BullaSeal of a second official from Jeremiah 38, found beside the Jehucal bulla
- עָלָהPilgrimage Road (Stepped Street)The 600-meter stepped street from the Pool of Siloam up to the Temple Mount, built under Pilate
- בָּמָהCity of David Rock-Cut Sanctuary RoomsEight bedrock chambers near the Gihon with an altar, olive press and winepress, sealed in the 8th century BCE
- מִלּוֹאThe Millo: Where Was It?The Stepped Stone Structure and the Gihon Spring fortifications as rival candidates for the biblical Millo
- סֹפֵרHouse of Bullae and the Gemariah son of Shaphan BullaFifty-one seal impressions baked hard in the fire of 586 BCE, one naming a scribe from Jeremiah 36
Sources
- Weill, La Cité de David (1920); Kloppenborg, 'Dating Theodotos (CIJ II 1404)', JJS 51 (2000)
- Wikipedia: Theodotos inscription