Watch Jerusalem

JERUSALEM – Massive structures dating to the time period of King David’s battle with Goliath were discovered this summer at Tel es-Safi (biblical Gath). Before this season, decades of excavation at the massive philistine site had mostly uncovered the later biblical city – not the city made famous as being Goliath’s home town. However, this year, to the surprise of excavation director Prof. Aren Maeir, excavators found stones and walls directly under the 9th century B.C.E. city. So far, this earlier city from the Iron I period looks to be bigger and more impressive than the later remains, dovetailing nicely with descriptions in the biblical text. On today’s program, host Brent Nagtegaal, discusses reporting of the breakthrough, as well as how this adds more support to the biblical narrative from King David’s time. Times of Israel - Large 3,500-year-old staircase hints at conquered Canaanite kingdom’s grandeur Haaretz - Goliath’s True Hometown Found? Lost 3,000-year-old Philistine City Emerges Beneath Gath Time

2500 years ago, the cupbearer to the most powerful king in the world requested a twelve-year-leave to defend his struggling native people from would-be attackers. Despite countless attempts at his life, the cupbearer succeeded in building a defensive wall around the city ensuring the survival of the Jewish presence in Jerusalem. The Bible’s telling of the history of Nehemiah is so compelling and descriptive that many have doubted its accuracy. Yet numerous individuals, including his foremost adversaries, are proven historical figures. On today’s program, we talk with Christopher Eames about what the Elephantine Papyri tell us about the time of Nehemiah. Elephantine Papyrus: Proving the book of Nehemiah Nehemiah: A Man and a Momentous Wall “Generic” Biblical Names: What Archaeology Says

JERUSALEM - We have found biblical Ziklag,” declared a press release from the Khirbet a-Ra’i excavation team this week. A massive archaeological effort has taken place at the site over the past three years, excavating through a square kilometer of the tel and providing evidence for what could be considered King David’s “first” city. On today’s program host Brent Nagtegaal looks at the claim that Khirbet a-Ra’i is biblical Ziklag and the larger point that another Davidic-era city has been discovered. ‘We Have Found Biblical Ziklag’ DNA Study Confirms Biblical Account of Philistine Origins Archaeologists propose new site as biblical Ziklag. Is it so? – Luke Chandler

JERUSALEM – A recent DNA study of the ancient Philistines revealed that one of ancient Israel’s most formidable foes traveled to the land from southern Europe, confirming what many historians and archaeologists have long believed. The media quickly picked up on the study with articles being published in Live Science, the New York Times, the Washington Post and most other papers of note. Stunningly, one fact was left out of most of the reports. The DNA study actually confirms what the Bible records about Philistine origins. On the first half of today’s program, host Brent Nagtegaal discusses the study and what it means for confirming the Biblical text. On the second half, Nagtegaal discusses the recent discovery of the first –biblical-era facility for manufacturing purple dye, and its possible use in adorning of King Solomon’s Temple. Uncovering the Bible’s Buried Civilizations: The Philistines Know thine enemy: DNA study solves ancient riddle of origins of the Philistines DNA Study 3,000-Year-Old Purple Dye I

Following the recapture of Jerusalem after the Six-Day War, there was an immediate interest in conducting excavations in the Holy City. Prof. Benjamin Mazar led a massive team in undertaking a decade-long project that became known as the “Big Dig” around the southern wall of the Temple Mount (1968–1976). The dig was supported in 50-50 partnership by the leader of our parent organization, Herbert W. Armstrong, chancellor of Ambassador College. Hundreds of Ambassador students participated in the effort. These major excavations laid the foundation for our continuing digs in Jerusalem and relationship with the Mazar family. Today, Armstrong College students continue to participate in excavations led by Professor Mazar’s granddaughter, Dr. Eilat Mazar. On today’s program, host Christopher Eames interviews one of the early Ambassador students who served under Prof. Benjamin Mazar to find out what life was like on the “Big Dig.” Some of the details, anecdotes and coincidences might surprise you! https://watchjerusa

JERUSALEM – On June 13, Iran attacked two tankers just outside the Strait of Hormuz, the most critical oil choke point in the world. This follows attacks on four different tankers a month earlier. On today’s program, host Brent Nagtegaal discusses Iran’s strategy in stepping up these attacks. On the second half of the program, Nagtegaal analyzes the surge in anti-Semitic attacks in the Western world, and the weak-willed response to them. He attended a recent Jerusalem symposium were world leaders in the study of mainstream anti-Semitism discussed this worrying trend. Analysis: The Hezekiah Bulla - Tankers on Fire in Gulf of Oman Anti-Semitism: Why You Should Be Alarmed

A joint press conference between United States Security of State Mike Pompeo and German Foreign Minister Heiko Mass on Friday confirmed that Germany is looking to increase its involvement in Syria, potential safeguarding safe zones in northeastern Syria. “Germany, thus, becomes the first European country to publicly express its willingness to participate in maintaining the security zone…” Kurdistan 24 wrote concerning Germany’s decision. On today’s program, host Brent Nagtegaal discusses how Germany’s entrance into the Syrian arena is prophesied. In the second half of the show, Christopher Eames details some stunning miracles that allowed Israel to take back Jerusalem in the Six-Day-War. How the Syrian Crisis Will End Germany backs US plans for safe zone in Syria Miracles in Six Days

Host Christopher Eames examines Earth’s early history, comparing the scientific evidence and the biblical account of creation—with some surprising parallels. Scientists have discovered much regarding the earliest history of the Earth, dinosaurs, “ice age” creatures, and early man. This early “prehistory” is seen as completely contradictory to the biblical account. As such, Bible believers promote many different forms of creationism, such as theistic evolution, to explain away supposed contradictions. But is the biblical account of creation really the opposite of what has been discovered by the various fields of science? Or is it really a much mistaken interpretation of the biblical account—together with some scientific misconceptions? On today’s program, host Christopher Eames examines Earth’s early history, comparing the scientific evidence with the biblical account of creation. There are some surprising parallels. Dinosaurs, the Bible, and a 6,000-year-old Earth? The Carbon Dating Game Clothing: A ‘Cultural

JERUSALEM – Two weeks ago, scholars from Tel Aviv University and the College de France published a paper dismissing the notion that the name of king David could be found on the Mesha Stele, an almost 3,000-year-old stone inscription. Instead, they proposed it mentions the Moabite king Balak. On today’s program, host Brent Nagtegaal briefly discusses the outrageous new claim, as well as further evidence for the traditional reading of the inscription. Mesha portion begins at 18:50. Is the United States the Aggressor in the Middle East? The King of the South High-tech study of ancient stone suggests new proof of King David’s dynasty

ASHKELON – In the past 24 hours, Iranian-backed terrorist groups operating in the Gaza Strip fired over 600 rockets at Israel, killing four civilians. On Sunday, amidst the attack, Watch Jerusalem host Brent Nagtegaal visited the Gaza Strip border region on a media tour and had to seek refuge from more rockets. Ironically, that safety was found with family members of a man that died from an attack overnight. Here is the account of that visit. Jerusalem in Prophecy

The ancient city of Lachish in southern Israel is one of the most excavated sites in Israel. It is mentioned in the Bible during the time of Jeremiah, and further back during the time of King Hezekiah. Earlier, the Bible notes that it was King Rehoboam, King David’s grandson, who first fortified the city around 920 BCE. And yet, all the excavations at Lachish have failed to uncover a fortified city from the time of Rehoboam. Until now. On today’s program, host Brent Nagtegaal discusses the recent discovery of a large wall from Rehoboam’s city that confirms the biblical construction date of the city. Uncovering the Bible’s Buried Cities: Lachish Did the Kingdom of David Exist? New Wall Found in Southern Israel Reignites Debate 2,600-year-old Jerusalem Discovery Leaves Archaeologists Shell-shocked

Archaeology is often used as a bulwark against those who would so readily dismiss the Bible as mere myth. Discoveries over the past 100 years have confirmed many elements of the biblical narrative from the time of the kings and the prophets. But what has been uncovered correlating to the earlier period of the Exodus? On today’s program, we talk with archaeology writer Christopher Eames about what archaeology and secular history has to say about the biblical account of Israel’s deliverance from slavery. The Bible’s Buried Civilizations: the Egyptians - Did Lions, Bears, Leopards and Camels Really Live in Ancient Israel? – Were Hebrews Ever Slaves in Ancient Egypt – Yes

Around 100 different creatures are described in the Bible, most of which are described as native to Israel or the Middle East. Could such exotic animals really have lived in this territory? How did the ancient biblical writers even know about some of these animals? On today’s program, we interview archaeology writer Christopher Eames about the elusive animals of the Bible and what insights archaeology has to offer. The Animals of the Bible The Proof of the Bible

JERUSALEM – The Givati excavation in Jerusalem has been running around the clock for over a decade. This week, the excavation made international news over the discovery of a seal impression of an official mentioned in the Bible. On today’s program, host Brent Nagtegaal interviews Givati excavation co-director Dr. Yiftah Shalev at the site. They discuss the recent discovery, as well as the larger context of the Jerusalem excavation. Nathan-Melech: Found!

JERUSALEM - In his latest attack against King David, Tel Aviv University archaeologist Israel Finklestein now says that the history of the United Monarchy under King David and Solomon, is really just a description of the magnificent kingdom of Jeroboam II, projected back by aggrandizing Jewish scribes centuries later. On today's program, host Brent Nagtegaal looks at a recent Haaretz article featuring this new theory and shows why it is dishonest to the facts on the ground, and in the Bible itself. Did David and Solomon Actually Exist? - https://watchjerusalem.co.il/178-did-david-and-solomon-actually-exist The United States and Britain in Prophecy - https://watchjerusalem.co.il/literature/44-the-united-states-and-britain-in-prophecy Talking Biblical Shiloh With Excavation Director Dr. Scott Stripling - https://watchjerusalem.co.il/388-talking-biblical-shiloh-with-excavation-director-dr-scott-stripling Meet the real King David, the one the Bible didn’t want you to know about – Haaretz - https://www.haaretz.com

Adam. Seth. Jacob. Moses. None of these biblical individuals have been absolutely proven through archaeology. But what of the simple names? The Bible is full of names for different people of different periods. If archaeology can corroborate names for the right periods, then that would serve as proof, in its own right, of the accuracy of the biblical record. On today’s program, host Christopher Eames examines the slew of “generic” biblical names that have been verified in the archaeology record. Biblical Names Confirmed Through Archaeology Proof of the Biblehttps://watchjerusalem.co.il/573-biblical-names-confirmed-through-archaeologyhttps://watchjerusalem.co.il/22-the-antiquity-of-the-scriptures-the-torahhttps://watchjerusalem.co.il/21-the-antiquity-of-the-scriptures-the-prophetshttps://watchjerusalem.co.il/20-the-antiquity-of-the-scriptures-the-writings

JERUSALEM – Last Sunday, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei awarded General Qassem Suleimani with the Order of Zulfaqar, the highest military honor in the country. Suleimani is the first person to receive the commendation since the Islamic revolution in 1979. Why now? Suleimani’s award came at the precise time a large Iranian delegation was in Iraq cementing their alliance. The correlation between the two events is clear: Suleimani was being recognized for successfully overseeing Iran’s conquering of Iraq. A few days after receiving the award, Iran began a massive military drill entitled “Toward Jerusalem 1." On today’s program, host Brent Nagtegaal looks at the Iranian revolution’s longstanding connection between the capture of Iraq, and its main mission of conquering Jerusalem. The King of the South - https://watchjerusalem.co.il/literature/2695-the-king-of-the-south Shadow Commander: Qassem Suleimani | BBC Documentary - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDAdldMoKEg

JERUSALEM – “Sulemani is singularly dangerous. He is also singularly positioned to shape the future of the Middle East.” This is how United States Gen. Stanley McChrystal recently described the head of Iran’s Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. At a time when Iran is seeking hegemonic goals in the Middle East, Suleimani leads the expeditionary force making it possible. On today’s program, host Brent Nagtegaal looks at the battlefield successes of Qassem Suleimani in light of the prophetic rise of Iran, the biblical “king of the south.” The King of the South - https://watchjerusalem.co.il/literature/2695-the-king-of-the-south https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2013/09/30/the-shadow-commander

Sensationalist, biased, fraudulent, agenda-driven—such were the ad hominem attacks leveled by the scholarly Victorian establishment against the great African explorer Sir Henry Morton Stanley. One of the greatest adventurers ever to have lived, this man suffered much abuse from establishment peers jealous of his work. Unfortunately, his story is all too familiar. Dr. Eilat Mazar—an archaeologist that we at Watch Jerusalem have been privileged to work with for well over a decade—is one of Israel’s greatest archaeologists, with easily the largest number of significant discoveries to her name. Yet she too has suffered abuse from the same old, cold Establishment. On today’s program, host Christopher Eames compares the stories of two great scientists—Sir Henry Morton Stanley and Dr. Eilat Mazar—examining not only the inordinate attacks against them from certain scholarly critics but also the inordinate affection shown to them by the general public. Proof of the Bible https://watchjerusalem.co.il/120-defending-eila

JERUSALEM – The historical setting of the biblical book of Jeremiah has been verified time and again by both archaeological discoveries and contemporary literary sources. Although the story took place over 2600 years ago, many of Jeremiah’s friends and as well as the kings he warned have been uncovered by modern science. On today’s show, host Brent Nagtegaal discusses the historical reality of the Book of Jeremiah’s lesser-known heroes, who each had their own difficult journey’s in support of the famous prophet. The Scribe Gemariah—Uncovered! So Much Archaeological Proof!