Have any man-made structures mentioned in the Bible been unearthed by archaeologists?
Yes, quite a number of Biblical structures have been excavated. Some of the most interesting are listed below.
Old Testament structures
JERICHO PALACE — The palace at Jericho where Eglon, king of Moab, was assassinated by Ehud (Judges 3:15-30)
SHECHEM EAST GATE — This is the gate of Shechem where Gaal and Zebul watched the forces of Abimelech approach the city (Judges 9:34-38).
SHECHEM’S TEMPLE OF BAAL/EL-BERITH — This is the temple of Baal/El-Berith in Shechem, where funds were obtained to finance Abimelech’s kingship, and where the citizens of Shechem took refuge when Abimelech attacked the city (Judges 9:4; 46-49).
POOL OF GIBEON — This is the pool where the forces of David and Ishbosheth fought during the struggle for the kingship of Israel (2 Samuel 2:12-32).
- POOLS OF HESHBON — These are the pools of Heshbon that Solomon likened to the beautiful eyes of the Shulammite woman (Song of Songs 7:4).
SAMARIA PALACE — This is the royal palace at Samaria where the kings of Israel lived (1 Kings 20:43; 21:1-2; 22:39; 2 Kings 1:2; 15:25).
POOL OF SAMARIA — This is where King Ahab’s chariot was washed after his death (1 Kings 22:29-38).
HEZEKIAH’S TUNNEL — This water tunnel beneath Jerusalem was dug by King Hezekiah to provide water during the Assyrian siege (2 Kings 20:20; 2 Chronicles 32:30).
BELSHAZZAR’S PALACE — This is the royal palace in Babylon where King Belshazzar held the feast at which Daniel interpreted the miraculous handwriting on the wall (Daniel 5).
QUEEN ESTHER’S PALACE — This is the royal palace in Susa where Esther was queen of the Persian king Xerxes (Esther 1:2; 2:3; 2:5, 2:9; 2:16).
SUSA ROYAL GATE — This is the gate in Susa where Mordecai, Esther’s cousin, sat (Esther 2:19; 2:21; 3:2; 3:3; 4:2; 5:9; 5:13; 6:10; 6:12).
SUSA SQUARE — This is the square in front of the royal gate of Susa where Mordecai met with Hathach, Xerxes’ eunuch (Esther 4:6).
New Testament structures
CAPERNAUM SYNAGOGUE — The foundation of the synagogue of Capernaum was discovered. This is where Jesus cured a man with an unclean spirit (Mark 1:21-28) and delivered the sermon on the bread of life (John 6:25-59).
PETER’S HOUSE — The house of Peter at Capernaum has been found. This is where Jesus healed Peter’s mother-in-law and others (Matthew 8:14-16).
JACOB’S WELL — This well has been found and is where Jesus spoke to the Samaritan woman as recorded in John 4.
POOL OF BETHESDA — This pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem is where Jesus healed a crippled man (John 5:1-14).
POOL OF SILOAM — This pool in Jerusalem is where Jesus healed a blind man (John 9:1-4).
CORINTH TRIBUNAL — The tribunal in Corinth where Paul was tried has been found. The events are described in Acts 18:12-17).
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EPHESUS THEATER — The theater at Ephesus has been found, where the riot of silversmiths occurred (Acts 19:29). The chief occupation of Demetrius was the making of silver shrines for the goddess Diana (Acts 19:24).
HEROD’S CAESAREA PALACE — Herod's palace at Caesarea has been found. This is where Paul was kept under guard (Acts 23:33-35).
Author: Bryant Wood of Associates for Biblical Research
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Also see
- About Capernaum
- What is JERUSALEM, and why is it highly significant in world history and future events? Answer
- What are the CITIES of the Bible? Names, descriptions, locations and types
- PLACES of the Bible
