Archaeologists in Jerusalem have uncovered a remarkable link to the First Temple period, reinforcing both Israel’s ancient ties to the Temple Mount and the Bible’s historical accuracy.
The Temple Mount Sifting Project announced July 30 the discovery of a rare and exceptionally well-preserved clay seal impression bearing the name “Yed[a‛]yah (son of) Asayahu.” The project said the artifact “still retains a clear fingerprint, presumably left by the ancient official who once owned it.”
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The seal was unearthed from soil illegally removed from the Temple Mount during unsupervised construction by the Islamic Waqf in 1999 and later dumped in the Kidron Valley, Fox News reported. Volunteers and archaeologists have since recovered countless artifacts from the debris, each telling its own story of Jerusalem’s Jewish past.
The find dates to the late 7th or early 6th century B.C., during the reign of King Josiah, a period when the Bible records sweeping Temple reforms. “Among Josiah’s trusted envoys was a senior official named Asayahu, described as ‘the king’s servant,’” the project said. “Given his prominent role, it is reasonable to assume that his son, Yed‛yah, may have also served in a high-ranking capacity.”
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Marks on the back of the seal indicate it was used to secure a bag or container, offering a glimpse into the daily life of an official involved in Temple or royal administration. The Temple Mount Sifting Project called the possibility of a direct link between the seal and King Josiah “highly plausible,” noting that “historically, seals like these were reserved for officials of high rank, and many individuals named in similar discoveries from Jerusalem have been directly identified with biblical-era officials.”
For Israel and supporters of the Bible’s historical reliability, the discovery is more than an archaeological triumph, it is tangible proof of Jewish presence and governance on the Temple Mount thousands of years ago. Names from the pages of Scripture, like Asayahu, are appearing on physical artifacts, aligning with biblical accounts and timelines.
The find also directly challenges political narratives that deny Jewish historical ties to the Temple Mount. From the First Temple constructed by King Solomon to the Second Temple standing in Jesus’ day, the Mount has been the center of Jewish worship for millennia. This seal, like many others, confirms that connection with physical evidence.
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As disputes over Jerusalem’s history and future continue, discoveries like this remind the world that the Bible is not myth but recorded history, and that the Temple Mount has always been, and remains, the holiest site in Judaism.
James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.
