Topical Encyclopedia The Moabite Stone, also known as the Mesha Stele, is an ancient inscribed stone erected by King Mesha of Moab in the 9th century BC. This significant archaeological artifact provides valuable historical context for the biblical narrative, particularly concerning the relationship between Moab and Israel. The stone was discovered in 1868 in Dhiban, modern-day Jordan, and is currently housed in the Louvre Museum in Paris.Historical Context The Moabite Stone dates back to approximately 840 BC and commemorates the victories of King Mesha over the Israelites. The inscription is written in Moabite, a language closely related to Hebrew, and it provides one of the earliest references to the God of Israel outside the Bible. The stone's text aligns with the biblical account found in 2 Kings 3, where Mesha is described as rebelling against the King of Israel after the death of Ahab. Biblical Correlation The biblical narrative in 2 Kings 3:4-5 states: "Now Mesha king of Moab was a sheep breeder, and he used to pay the king of Israel a tribute of a hundred thousand lambs and the wool of a hundred thousand rams. But after the death of Ahab, the king of Moab rebelled against the king of Israel." The Moabite Stone corroborates this account, detailing Mesha's revolt and his subsequent military campaigns to reclaim territories previously under Israelite control. Significance The Moabite Stone is significant for several reasons. Firstly, it provides an external confirmation of the biblical narrative, offering evidence of the historical interactions between Moab and Israel. Secondly, it highlights the religious practices of the Moabites, including their worship of the god Chemosh, whom Mesha credits for his victories. This is consistent with the biblical portrayal of Moabite idolatry, as seen in passages like 1 Kings 11:7 : "At that time on a hill east of Jerusalem, Solomon built a high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab." Theological Implications From a theological perspective, the Moabite Stone underscores the sovereignty of God over the nations. While Mesha attributes his success to Chemosh, the biblical narrative emphasizes that the God of Israel ultimately controls the fate of nations. The stone serves as a reminder of the fulfillment of God's promises and judgments, as seen in the broader biblical context of Israel's interactions with surrounding nations. Archaeological Insights The discovery of the Moabite Stone has provided scholars with insights into the language, culture, and political dynamics of the ancient Near East. The stone's inscription is one of the longest Iron Age texts discovered in the region, offering a rare glimpse into the Moabite perspective. It also highlights the historical reality of the conflicts described in the Bible, reinforcing the reliability of the biblical record. In summary, the Moabite Stone is a crucial artifact that bridges the biblical narrative with historical and archaeological evidence. It affirms the historical existence of King Mesha and his interactions with Israel, providing a tangible link to the events described in the Scriptures. Smith's Bible Dictionary The Moabite StoneIn the year 1868 Rev. F. Klein, of the Church Missionary Society at Jerusalem, found at Dhiban (the biblical Dibon), in Moab, a remarkable stone, since called the Moabite Stone. It was lying on the ground, with the inscription uppermost, and measures about 3 feet 9 inches long, 2 feet 4 inches wide and 1 foot 2 inches thick. It is a very heavy, compact black basalt. An impression was made of the main block, and of certain recovered parts broken off by the Arabs. It was broken by the Arabs, but the fragments were purchased by the French government for 32,000 francs, and are in the Louvre in Paris. The engraved face is about the shape of an ordinary gravestone, rounded at the top. On this stone is the record in the Phoenician characters of the wars of Mesha, king of Moab, with Israel. (2 Kings 3:4) It speaks of King Omri and other names of places and persons mentioned in the Bible, and belongs to this exact period of jewish and Moabite history. The names given on the Moabite Stone, engraved by one who knew them in daily life, are, in nearly every case, identical with those found in the Bible itself, and testify to the wonderful integrity with which the Scriptures have been preserved. "The inscription reads like a leaf taken out of a lost book of Chronicles. The expressions are the same; the names of gods, kings and of towns are the same." --(See Rawlinson's "Historical Illustrations;" American Cyclopedia ; and Bibliotheca Sacra , Oct. 20, 1870. --ED.) Library The Nations of the South-East The Secret of Its Greatness The Septuagint as a Version. The Christian View of the Old Testament The Record of Two Kings The Helvetic Consensus Formula. AD 1675. Two Famous Versions of the Scriptures The Old Testament and Archeology Index ii. The Bible Resources The: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics the Epistle of Paul To Philemon the First Epistle General Of John The Kingdom or Church of Christ the Second and Third Epistles Of John Related Terms The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence) Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences) Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences) Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences) Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences) |
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