There is some uncertainty as to whether the biblical United Monarchy known as Israel ever existed. Israel Finkelstein (Archaeologies of the Middle East: Critical Perspectives, Archaeology, Bible, and the History of the Levant in the lron Age) says that archaeology shows absolutely no sign of a great tenth-century territorial state ruled from Jerusalem.
On the other hand, the short-lived northern kingdom of Israel did no doubt exist. It was finally destroyed by the Assyrians in 722 BCE.
Yes. Until recently, the existence of King David, who ruled the United Monarchy in Israel, was doubted by secular academicians. Then, in 1993, an archaeologist named Dr. Avraham Biran and his team, digging at Tell Dan, discovered a black basalt stele, containing Aramaic inscriptions. Two of the lines included the phrases "The King of Israel" and "House of David." This discovery has forced critics to reconsider their view of the historicity of the Davidic kingdom. In 1994 more pieces were found, with inscriptions referring to Jehoram, the son of Ahab, ruler over Israel, and Ahaziah, who was "The ruler over the House of David." Dr. Hershel Shanks of the Biblical Archaeological Review states, "The stele brings to life the biblical text in a dramatic way."
There are many such examples.
People should be aware that hundreds of Biblical verses were doubted due to lack of outside evidence, and were later substantiated by archaeology.
Accordingly, researchers should have an open mind, viewing obscure verses as being potential pointers to as-yet-undiscovered finds.
Some examples of archaeology corroborating the existence of ancient Israel:
2) The critics claimed that the Babylonian captivity never happened.
However, in 1935-38, important finds were made 30 miles from Jerusalem at a site thought to be ancient Lachish. Lachish was one of the cities recorded in the Bible as being besieged by the Babylonians at the same time as the siege of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 34:7).
Twenty-one pottery fragments were found in the latest pre-exilic levels of the site. Called the Lachish Ostraca, they were written during the Babylonian siege. Some of them are exchanges between the military commander and an outlying observation post, vividly picturing the final days of Judah's struggle against Babylon.
Since the 1930s, there has been more unearthing of Babylonian texts which describe the conquest of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar. The historical fact of the Babylonian captivity is now undisputed.
3) The Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser the 3rd shows Jehu, king of Israel, bowing before the Assyrian king.
4) Tablets from the time of Tiglath-Pileser state that he received tribute from Jehoahaz of Judah. This is the full name of Ahaz (2 Kings 16:7).
5) A limestone relief from Sennacherib's palace at Nineveh shows the siege of Lachish.
The above examples are among many thousands. Dr. William Albright, who was probably the foremost authority in Middle East archaeology in his time, said: "There can be no doubt that archaeology has confirmed the substantial historicity of the Old Testament."
And for those who would like a little more:
Yes. Archaeologists do not doubt that there were the Kingdoms of Israel and Judah in the southwest Levant. Arguments turn on how powerful these kingdoms are and how accurate The Bible is as a history book.
Yes.
Of course Israel can exist without the U.S. While the United States helps and supports Israel, Israel can still exist without them.
Yes. It was one of the wonders of the ancient world.
No. Ancient Hebrew is a language, and Ancient Israel is nation.
Ancient Israel did not exist in 1612 BCE (that would be too early) nor in 1612 CE (that would be too late). However, music in Ancient Israel was enjoyed only by the wealthy and was a human playing an instrument, like the lyre or zither, or just a person singing with some small accompaniment by flutes.
Yes, I live in Israel.
He didn't but people in Ancient China believed he was real.
Yes, I live in Israel.
The country of Israel did not exist in WW II. Israel was established in 1948. WW II ended in 1945.
The Jewish courts.See also:Life in ancient Israel
Probably not cause they didn't really exist over there.
In ancient Israel donkeys were used for riding on if it was to far to walk.
Ancient Israel was a number of different absolute monarchies.