Teaching Team
A Dead Sea Stone: In Three Days You Shall Live
While most of us who are faithful followers of Yeshua of Nazareth take the idea of the Messiah dying and then resurrecting in three days for granted, much of the scholarly community has debated the origin of this gospel story for years. Some scholars suggest that the story of someone rising after three days has its roots in paganism and ancient non-Jewish folklore. Others simply suggest it was a brand new concept introduced by early Christianity. But some scholars put forth the thesis that this was an existing Jewish idea about the Messiah even before Yeshua was born. The only problem was that they did not have any textual evidence to back this up... until now.
An ancient tablet has recently popped into the news. It's actually not a recent discovery, but it was found about ten years ago, supposedly in the region of the Dead Sea. Scholars have dated the tablet to the first century BCE. At first scholars did not know what to make of it, but when they examined it more closely, they discovered something that is sure to be debated and discussed for years to come.
The tablet, which measures three feet tall contains 87 lines of Hebrew text, contains the following declaration:
"In three days you will know that evil will be defeated by justice... In three days you shall live, I, Gabriel, command you."
This translation comes from Israeli scholar Israel Knohls. The text appears to speak about a Messiah type figure who will die and then rise again, paving the way for the final redemption. Although some scholars disagree with Knohls' translation, Knohls himself is an expert in Biblical and Talmudic Hebrew. So far, no scholars have raised any suspicions that the tablet is a forgery.
The significance, of course, is that we have a pre-Yeshua Jewish witness of a belief that the Messiah will die and then rise again in three days. If this all pans out to be authentic, this is truly remarkable and a very exciting find. For us at First Fruits of Zion, it is encouraging to see more evidence that supports the Jewish background and understanding of the Gospels and Apostolic Writings. As we endeavor to share this message and it's implications, finds like this will only open up more doors for us, God willing.
I recommend that you check out our book King of the Jews. In it Daniel Lancaster seeks to rediscover the Jewish Jesus that we have lost.
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Visitor Feedback:
An interesting story indeed.
Sadly, the provenance of this stone is unknown. It was found in the possession of a Jordanian antiquities dealer.
This pretty well ends any discussion of its archaeological value. Provenance problems have been the bane of relics that have recently come to light, most significantly the James ossuary.
**Toby's Response:** Not necessarily. No one has challenged this assertion yet and I believe this is of a different nature than the James ossuary.
Steve Petersen | July 7, 2008 6:32 PM
What amaze me are the reports I read that said this find would dismay Christians and make them question the Gospel accounts! How in the world can this find do that? The bias against belief is so incredible it makes me sick.
MJ
**Toby's Response:** To me it only helps solidify our case.
MJ Belko | July 8, 2008 8:03 AM
The Dead Sea Scrolls weren't found in their original context either. Yet, they were still the most significant discovery of the 20th century. Completely revolutionized biblical studies.
I would let the experts sort out issues of authenticity. As of now, most scholars are saying that this tablet is legitimate.
Seth | July 8, 2008 9:07 AM
Thanks for the comments Toby.
I know that at this point it is to early to tell but it is hard not to get a bit excited about the possibilities of this find. Did we just expect the spirit of prophecy to just end with the Tanakh and then suddenly resurrect with the birth of the Master?
Much of our traditions are filled with Messianic imagery that find its fulness in the Master, so should we really be surprised at this find?
I would be surprised if we do not continue to find more of these kinds of evidences.
Jimmy Rittenhouse | July 8, 2008 9:21 AM