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Uncover the secrets of ancient Israel with a journey into the biblical archaeology of Jezreel. Explore the lives of iconic figures like Ahab and Jezebel and see how recent archaeological findings bring biblical narratives to life. Discover the significance of Jezreel in biblical history and its impact on our understanding of the past.

The ancient city of Jezreel has been neglected for centuries, its historical importance overlooked. Formerly a significant landmark in biblical accounts, Jezreel now exists merely as a mound or tell, stripped of its previous grandeur and concealed beneath layers of earth. However, the recent attention of archaeologists has begun to unearth Jezreel’s vestiges. What do these ruins unveil about the biblical narratives?

Jezreel in Biblical Context

The city of Jezreel was strategically positioned in the eastern segment of the Jezreel Valley, an area known for its fertility in ancient Israel. To the north across the valley, the hill of Moreh was once the encampment of the Midianites as they geared up to confront Judge Gideon and his forces. Adjacent to the east lies the well of Harod, located at the base of Mount Gilboa. It was here that Jehovah trimmed down Gideon’s large army to a bare 300 men to demonstrate His power of delivering His people without the need for a considerable military presence (Judges 7:1-25; Zechariah 4:6). It was on the nearby Mount Gilboa where the first King of Israel, Saul, succumbed to a defeat against the Philistines in a remarkable battle, during which his sons, including Jonathan, were killed, and Saul took his own life (1 Samuel 31:1-5).

The biblical records portray the ancient city of Jezreel in an intriguing light. On one hand, they narrate the abuse of power and apostasy of Israel’s rulers. On the other hand, they describe the unwavering faith and fervor of Jehovah’s servants. It was in Jezreel where King Ahab, the ruler of the northern ten-tribe kingdom of Israel in the latter half of the tenth century B.C.E., established his royal residence despite Samaria being the official capital (1 Kings 21:1). Here, Jehovah’s prophet Elijah received death threats from Ahab’s foreign wife, Jezebel, as a retaliation for Elijah’s audacious execution of the prophets of Baal after the test of true Godship he conducted on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:36–19:2).

A Crime in Jezreel: Naboth’s Story

Jezreel also serves as the backdrop for a notable crime – the murder of Naboth the Jezreelite. King Ahab, coveting Naboth’s vineyard, asked to take possession of it. However, Naboth’s response reflected his deep devotion to Jehovah: “Jehovah forbid it me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers to you.” This principled reply irritated Ahab, prompting his wife, Queen Jezebel, to arrange a sham trial for Naboth, accusing him of blasphemy. Naboth was falsely convicted and stoned to death, and Ahab seized his vineyard (1 Kings 21:1-16).

This heinous act led to Elijah’s prophecy, which predicted that dogs would eat Jezebel in Jezreel’s plot of land and Ahab’s descendants dying in the city would face the same fate (1 Kings 21:23-29). The prophecy fulfilled in due course with Jehu, the anointed king of Israel during Elisha’s era, ordering Jezebel’s defenestration and subsequent trampling by horses in Jezreel. Scavenger dogs left only her skull, feet, and palms of her hands (2 Kings 9:30-37). Jehu also executed 70 of Ahab’s sons in Jezreel, stacking their heads in two heaps at the city gate and killing other leading men and priests associated with Ahab’s apostate reign (2 Kings 10:6-11). These events marked the end of the biblical narrative directly related to Jezreel.

The Excavation Project at Jezreel: A Deep Dive

In 1990, a collaborative endeavor commenced to excavate the historical site of Jezreel. This joint venture involved the Institute of Archaeology of Tel Aviv University, represented by David Ussishkin, and the British School of Archaeology in Jerusalem, represented by John Woodhead. Over the course of seven excavation seasons between 1990 and 1996, each lasting six weeks, between 80 and 100 volunteers dedicated their efforts to unearthing the site’s secrets.

The contemporary methodology in archaeology emphasizes examining site evidence based on its intrinsic value, eschewing preconceived notions and theories. Thus, for archaeologists exploring biblical territories, the scriptural account is not the sole reference. All other sources of information and physical evidence should be considered and judiciously evaluated. Nonetheless, as stated by John Woodhead, no ancient written evidence exists for Jezreel apart from a few Bible chapters, making the biblical narrative an integral part of any investigation. What have these archaeological efforts disclosed?

Iron Age Jezreel: Unearthing Fortifications and Pottery

As the layers of time were carefully stripped away, revealing fortifications and pottery, it became increasingly clear that these remnants traced back to the so-called Iron Age, firmly situating them within the timeline of the biblical Jezreel. However, the ongoing excavations unearthed a series of surprises.

One such surprise was the sheer size of the site and the scale of its fortifications. Initially, the archaeologists expected a site with fortifications akin to those of ancient Samaria, the capital city of the Israelite kingdom. As the excavation progressed, it was revealed that Jezreel was significantly larger. The city’s fortifications stretched 1,000 feet by 500 feet, enclosing an area more than three times larger than any other city from that period discovered in Israel. An unprecedented feature for the time was a dry moat encircling the city, creating a 35-foot drop from the fortifications, a feature not found in Israel until the Crusaders’ era, according to Professor Ussishkin.

The City Center: An Unexpected Finding

The city center presented another unexpected characteristic. Instead of extensive structures, a large raised podium or platform, created from considerable amounts of imported reddish-brown soil during the city’s construction, dominated the area within the enclosure. The Second Preliminary Report on the excavations at Tel Jezreel proposes that this conspicuous podium indicates that Jezreel may have served more than just a royal residence, perhaps functioning as the central military base for the royal Israelite army during the Omride dynasty. This location could have housed and trained the royal chariotry and cavalry. The size of this raised podium, as well as that of the enclosed area, leads Woodhead to speculate that this could have served as a parade ground to display the military prowess of the region’s largest chariot force.

City Gate: A Feature of Special Interest

Of particular interest to archaeologists are the excavated remains of the city gate, indicating at least a four-chambered entrance. However, due to the site’s centuries-long pillaging, the findings are not definitive. Woodhead opines that the remains suggest a six-chambered gate akin to those discovered at Megiddo, Hazor, and Gezer.

Jezreel’s Surprisingly Brief Existence

Despite its advantageous military and geographical location, Jezreel’s existence as a fortified city was surprisingly brief. As Woodhead emphasizes, unlike other prominent biblical sites in Israel, such as Megiddo, Hazor, and Samaria, which were repeatedly rebuilt and inhabited during various periods, Jezreel was a single-period site, thriving for only a few decades. Why was this prime location abandoned so swiftly? Woodhead surmises that Ahab’s dynasty nearly led to an economic collapse due to their extravagant spending, evident in Jezreel’s excessive size and fortifications. The subsequent regime under Jehu likely desired to sever ties with Ahab’s memory and consequently vacated the city.

The Archaeological Evidence: Consistent with Biblical Accounts

All the evidence unearthed thus far corroborates that the site of Jezreel was a major Israelite center during the Iron Age. Its vastness and fortifications align with the biblical description of a significant royal residence for Ahab and Jezebel. The signs of its relatively short habitation during this period concur with the biblical narratives of the city: it swiftly rose to prominence under Ahab’s reign, only to be promptly brought down in ignominy at Jehovah’s command when Jehu exterminated the remnants of Ahab’s lineage in Jezreel, as per 2 Kings 10:11.

The Dating Dilemma of Jezreel

Dating in archaeology presents a conundrum, as John Woodhead admits. Archaeologists have to draw comparisons with discoveries at other sites as they examine seven years’ worth of excavations at Jezreel. This cross-referencing has stirred both reevaluation and debate. The crux of the matter can be traced back to the excavations at Megiddo in the 1960s and early 1970s by the Israeli archaeologist Yigael Yadin. It was widely accepted within the archaeological fraternity that Yadin had unearthed fortifications and city gates dating back to the era of King Solomon. However, the recent discoveries at Jezreel, including fortifications, pottery, and gates, have cast doubt on these earlier conclusions.

For instance, the pottery found at Jezreel is a perfect match with the stratum at Megiddo that Yadin attributed to Solomon’s reign. The gate structures and dimensions at both sites also bear striking similarities, if not identical features. Woodhead opines, “All the evidence either backdates the Jezreel site to the Solomonic period or reassigns the dating of these features at the other sites [Megiddo and Hazor] to the era of Ahab.” Given that the Bible clearly associates Jezreel with the reign of Ahab, Woodhead suggests it is more plausible to assign these strata to Ahab’s rule. David Ussishkin agrees, stating that while the Bible mentions Solomon’s development of Megiddo, it does not specify that he built those particular gates.

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Does Jezreel’s History Challenge Biblical Accounts?

Do these archaeological findings and ensuing debate cast a shadow on the biblical narratives of Jezreel or Solomon? In reality, this archaeological controversy has minimal direct bearing on the biblical account. Archaeology approaches history from a different perspective than the biblical narrative, posing distinct questions and placing emphasis on different aspects. It might be illustrative to compare a Bible student and an archaeologist to travelers on roughly parallel paths. One is driving on the road while the other is walking on the sidewalk— their focus and concerns diverge, yet their views often complement each other rather than clash. Drawing parallels between the impressions of these two “travelers” can yield compelling insights.

The Bible provides a written record of ancient events and peoples; archaeology endeavors to glean information about these events and peoples by investigating whatever vestiges remain in the soil. However, these remnants are typically far from comprehensive and open to varying interpretations. Commenting on this, Amihai Mazar in his book “Archaeology of the Land of the Bible—10,000−586 B.C.E.” states, “Archaeological fieldwork… is largely an art as well as a combination of training and professional skill. No rigid methodology can ensure success, and field directors must exercise flexibility and creative thinking. The archaeologist’s character, talent, and common sense are as crucial as his training and available resources.”

A Biblical Site Confirmed: Jezreel’s Brief Existence

Archaeology corroborates the existence of a significant royal and military hub at Jezreel, a center that surprisingly had a brief duration coinciding with Ahab’s rule—exactly as the Bible narrates. The excavation has opened a Pandora’s box of intriguing questions that might engage archaeologists for years to come. Yet, the Bible, as God’s Word, continues to resonate with clarity, delivering a comprehensive narrative in a way archaeology alone cannot.

About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).