The Israel Antiquities Authority has announced that a rare ancient seal was found under Jerusalem’s Old City. The seal was probably used in religious rituals of the Jewish Temple in the days of Jesus. The seal was found near the Western Wall and contains two Aramaic words: “it is pure” and a two-letter abbreviation for the name of God.

Archaeologists Eli Shukron of the Antiquities Authority and Professor Ronny Reich of Haifa University were the co-directors of the excavation. In the video below, Professor Ronny Reich explains the significance of the seal.

Second Temple Era Seal

Claude Mariottini
Professor of Old Testament
Northern Baptist Seminary