Dr. Claude Mariottini - Professor of Old Testament: The Most Ancient Hebrew Inscription Deciphered

Dr Mariottini has posted an interesting article on the  Khirbet Qeiyafa Inscription.  It is the oldest inscription in Hebrew ever found from the 10th century BC and it has been translated. It is inscribed on a shard of pottery. Dr. Mariottini quotes a passage from his source showing why this is noteworthy:

Prof. Gershon Galil of the University of Haifa who deciphered the inscription: "It indicates that the Kingdom of Israel already existed in the 10th century BCE and that at least some of the biblical texts were written hundreds of years before the dates presented in current research."

Anything that give us more insight into the world in which the Bible was written can only deepen our understanding on scripture. Dr. Mariottini has given a great place to start researching this. If you are interested the resource quoted by Mariottini also gives the translations of the text.

English translation of the deciphered text:

1' you shall not do [it], but worship the [Lord].
2' Judge the sla[ve] and the wid[ow] / Judge the orph[an]
3' [and] the stranger. [Pl]ead for the infant / plead for the po[or and]
4' the widow. Rehabilitate [the poor] at the hands of the king.
5' Protect the po[or and] the slave / [supp]ort the stranger.

Professor Mariottini has provided the most up-to-date information. When the pottery shard was first found many thought it was about King David directly. To see the older information follow this link.

Dr. Claude Mariottini - Professor of Old Testament: The Most Ancient Hebrew Inscription Deciphered