Watch Jerusalem

The Biden administration has insisted that the Middle East is not a priority. Concrete actions prove otherwise. In his first month in office, Mr. Biden has resurrected the pro-Iran foreign policy of Barack Obama, downgrading ties with traditional allies such as Israel and Saudi Arabia. On today’s program, host Brent Nagtegaal discusses why the United States is bent on empowering a fanatical regime that regularly chants “death to America,” and even more threateningly—“death to Israel!” https://watchjerusalem.co.il/1173-why-does-the-biden-administration-support-irans-takeover-of-the-middle-east

JERUSALEM - Royal purple, known as Argamon in the Hebrew Bible, was one of the precious shellfish-derived dyes that colored the tabernacle, temple, and the finest clothing of the biblical court. Now, for the first time, this dye has been found from the time of David, predating by 1000 years previously discovered samples. Royal Purple Fabric Discovered from King David’s Era Discovered

On today's program, Brent Nagtegaal appreciates Hershal Shanks’s unwavering support for scholars who would be bold enough to use the Bible as a guide in excavations Sign up to Watch Jerusalem email BAS statement on the death of Hershel Shanks Is This the Prophet Isaiah's Signature? By Eilat Mazar First Person: In Defense of Eilat Mazar by Hershel Shanks First Person: The Bible as a Source of Testable Hypothesesby Hershel Shanks

Why did the Trump Administration declare ancient Jerusalem part of the glorious heritage of the United States of America? https://watchjerusalem.co.il/1145-the-battle-over-history-from-ancient-jerusalem-to-washington-dc

Coronavirus aside, 2020 was another major year in biblical archaeology. On today’s program, host Brent Nagtegaal and archaeological writer Christopher Eames reveal Watch Jerusalem’s choice of the top discoveries from the past year. These include inscriptions, major building programs and seal impressions – all of which affirm the biblical text as well as key biblical personalities. https://watchjerusalem.co.il/1132-top-biblical-archaeology-finds-from-2020

President Trump’s Middle East peace deals are redefining the Middle East in an irreversible way. The United States is using its withdrawing presence in the region, coupled with a growing Iranian threat, to pressure Arab states to publicly recognize their relationship with Israel. How will Iran respond? This week, longtime geopolitical thinker George Friedman forecast that “Iran’s move is to adopt the Palestinian cause as its own, and speak to the Arab public in terms of the betrayal of the Palestinians and capitulation to Israel.” This forecast is one that aligns with biblical prophecy. On today’s program, host Brent Nagtegaal discusses how these deals came about, and why they will cause Arab citizens in some countries to rise up in support of Iran. The Bible reveals the revolt will be so strong in Egypt that it will cause that nation to return to Islamist rule in support of Iran’s cause. https://watchjerusalem.co.il/1114-me-peace-deals-will-drive-palestinians-towards-iran

King Jereboam II was confirmed as being an historical personality this past week as his name is mentioned on a recently authenticated seal impression. Known as a bulla, the seal impression from 2,800 years ago bears the name of Shema, servant/minister of Jeroboam. The bulla mentioning Jeroboam II highlights the reign of one of the most enigmatic figures in biblical history. Although numbered among the wicked kings of the northern tribes of Israel, Jeroboam II's history and archaeology bear out that his reign underscored a massive resurgence in the ancient Israelite state. On today's program, host Brent Nagtegaal discusses details about the newly authenticated bulla, as well the larger context of Jeroboam's reign. He also compares the reign of the ancient king to the leader of the United States, President Donald Trump. Uncovering Biblical King Jeroboam II

Shortly after conquering Jerusalem, King David brought the ark of the covenant to the city and placed it near the Gihon Spring. According to the Bible, the ark stayed in that location for almost 50 years while the temple was being constructed. On Sunday, host Brent Nagtegaal toured the area surrounding the Gihon Spring with City of David director of international affairs Ze’ev Orenstein. On today’s show, Brent discusses his visit to the Gihon Spring, including the recent discovery of religious rooms that could have held the ark during the time of King David. https://watchjerusalem.co.il/1098-is-this-where-king-david-placed-the-ark-of-the-covenant

Jerusalem - On Wednesday, the Israel Antiquities Authority announced the discovery of a fortress on the Golan Heights built during the time of King David. Excavators believe the building was part of the kingdom of Geshur, an elusive people who were in league with King David for a time. On today’s program, host Brent Nagtegaal looks at the discovery of the Golan fortress in the context of King David’s reign. https://watchjerusalem.co.il/1086-davidic-era-fortress-on-golan-aligns-with-biblical-history

The nation of Israel was bitterly divided when King David came to the throne 3,000 years ago. The kingly dynasty of Saul was finished, and the northern tribes were worried that the Judean King David would not rule fairly. David proved them wrong by establishing a new political and religious capital for the nation. On today’s program, host Brent Nagtegaal details how King David united the nation around the throne and the city that God had chosen. He also shows why God awarded him the most amazing blessing in the Bible. The Jeremiah Seals Restore Hope in David’s Throne Was God’s Covenant with David Conditional? Mystery of the Ages

Once again, Haaretz is using archaeological discoveries to try and debunk biblical history. Their October 30 article, entitled “Israeli Archaeologists Are Uncovering the Lost Legacy of a Cursed Biblical King,” takes aim at the biblical description of King Manasseh, Judah’s longest-reigning king. On today’s program, host Brent Nagtegaal reviews the article and shows a clear misreading of the biblical narrative. In doing so, he also discusses one of the most undervalued stories of repentance in the Bible. A Summer of Discoveries From King Hezekiah’s Jerusalem Esarhaddon Prism Proves King Manasseh

It’s been a long and difficult summer, with coronavirus lockdowns shuttering many in Israel and abroad. One of the victims is the archaeology “industry,” with regular excavations largely grinding to a halt. There has, therefore, been a corresponding lull in archaeological reporting—leading some journalists to write almost humorously grand articles on more “mundane” finds! Nevertheless—despite a summer’s lockdown—in the world of archaeology, you never know what exciting new discovery is about to be unveiled. (The Isaiah bulla a case in point—released eight years after its excavation!) So stay tuned. At Watch Jerusalem, we’ve maintained a steady stream of articles and analyses on past (and even future!) discoveries—everything from a bullae “timeline” to Leviathan to the Tomb of King David. On today’s podcast, host Christopher Eames provides a rundown of some of Watch Jerusalem’s latest archaeology articles, as well as some upcoming pieces (King Ahab’s horses, and a Philistine seal discovered in Ireland). He als

The Jewish historian Josephus records a chilling event that took place shortly before his own life began. In the account, King Herod and a few of his closest friends secretly raided the tomb of the biblical house of David to find the treasure to fund his extravagant projects. However, just as his men were reaching the very bones of King David and King Solomon, they were killed by a “flame that burst out.” Shaken by the incident, Josephus relates that Herod installed a large white stone monument at the entrance to warn others from entering. Clearly, God intended the discovery of the tombs of David to be preserved for a later time. On today’s program host, Brent Nagtegaal looks at the historical references of the tomb of the kings from both the Bible and secular sources and shows why the discovery of King David’s could be imminent. The Tombs of the Kings DISCOVERED: Nehemiah’s Wall The Tombs of the Kings Are a Sign

“Did God Destroy the Walls of Jericho?,” titled one of Haaretz’s most popular articles this past week. Given the source, you won’t be surprised to find out that the author answers that question in the negative, and even uses archaeological discovery to support that claim. At Watch Jerusalem, we too use archaeology but have come to a different conclusion. On today’s program, host Brent Nagtegaal looks at the claims of Jericho’s destruction, as well as other cases, in the context of the culture of scoffing that exists inside academia and the media against the Bible. Uncovering the Bible’s Buried Cities: Jericho The Gezer Calendar

In 2019, a groundbreaking study showed that the tin discovered on the Israelite coast during the time of the judges was sourced as far away as the United Kingdom—specifically, the regions of Cornwall and Devon. While the study attributed the trade of the tin to the Phoenicians, the Bible describes Israelite tribes being heavily invested in seafaring trade at the same time. On today’s program, host Brent Nagtegaal describes his recent visit to a tin mine in Cornwall, as well as the connection between the region and the Israelite tribes of Dan and Asher. https://watchjerusalem.co.il/1038-the-israelites-and-ancient-tin-trade-from-the-british-isles

The first-ever direct flight from Israel to the United Arab Emirates by an Israeli commercial airline took place this week. The flight comes just two weeks after United States President Donald Trump announced that the U.A.E. would normalize its ties with the Jewish state. Commentators have called the deal historic, and rightly so. On today’s show, host Brent Nagtegaal shows how the deal also moves forward biblical prophecies that will culminate in the coming of the Messiah. https://watchjerusalem.co.il/1026-the-uae-ndash-israel-deal-and-bible-prophecy

What happened to the ‘lost’ tribes of Israel? Where did they go after they vanished some 2,700 years ago? The modern identity of the “lost tribes” of Israel has intrigued people for centuries, if not millennia. Explorers of antiquity have attempted to identify them with uncontacted native islanders. Theories abound. Some claim that they simply no longer exist, swallowed up by time, war, captivity. Can we know what happened to them? Book: The United States and Britain in Prophecy Booklet: The Proof of the Bible Article: “Were the Celtic Druids Pagan Israelite Priests?”

For over a decade Watch Jerusalem editor in chief Gerald Flurry has said that Europe will replace Iran as the dominant force inside Lebanon. He made this forecast at a time when Hezbollah was strong and Europe’s power in the nation was virtually nil. In the aftermath of last week’s Beirut blast that killed over 150 people and injured thousands, we are witnessing this biblically based forecast quickly take place. On today’s program, host Brent Nagtegaal discusses how the Beirut explosion could act as a catalyst for the fulfillment of this prophecy. Vive la Révolution Libanaise Why You Need to Watch Lebanon

Last week, archaeologists in Jerusalem showcased a recently discovered administration storage center from the time period of biblical king Hezekiah. On today’s podcast, host Brent Nagtegaal talks with archaeologist Christopher Eames about the significance of the discovery. Nagtegaal also discusses a recent study from Tel Aviv University that overturns the assumption that greater efficiency of the human brain accounts for its superior output when compared to animals. https://watchjerusalem.co.il/998-more-archaeological-proof-of-king-hezekiahs-kingdom

For the past three weeks, several explosions at Iran’s nuclear facilities have again raised the prospect of a nuclear-armed Iran. According to the New York Times, Israel was behind many of the attacks that may have set back Iran’s nuclear program. Nevertheless, in an unsettling interview with the Times of Israel, former Mossad chief Shabtai Shavit said that it is only a matter of time before Iran attains a nuclear weapon. More troubling was the assertion from Shavit that Iran could be deterred from using the bomb by traditional means. In his view, it would be unlikely for Iran to use a nuclear weapon as it would mean the simultaneous destruction of Iran by a nuclear counter-attack. On today’s program, host Brent Nagtegaal looks at the recent attacks on Iran’s nuclear program and discusses why such “cold war” logic from Shavit does not apply to Iran. https://watchjerusalem.co.il/991-the-reality-of-a-nuclear-armed-iran