The Mt Ebal curse tablets are a collection of ancient inscriptions that were discovered in the late 20th century in the region of Samaria, specifically at the site of Khirbet el-Maqatir. These curse tablets are believed to have been written during the Iron Age, around the 7th century BCE. The tablets are made of lead and inscribed with ancient Hebrew script, primarily containing curses and imprecations. The curses are directed towards anyone who disobeys the commands written in the tablets and are intended to bring harm upon them. The main idea of the Mt Ebal curse tablets is the use of curses as a form of punishment and deterrent. The curses were believed to be a means of invoking supernatural forces to bring harm upon those who disregarded the laws or rules that were inscribed in the tablets.
In 2022, a research team led by Dr. Stripling from the Associates for Biblical Research (ABR) revealed the discovery of a lead tablet (2 cm by 2 cm) from Mount Ebal that they claim contains the oldest extant Hebrew inscription.7 The tablet was found in 2019 through a project to wet-sift the east dump piles from Zertal’s excavation at Mount Ebal. The archaeological context and epigraphical analysis indicate that the curse tablet (Defixio) is believed to date to the Late Bronze Age II period (c. 1400–1200 BC).8 This is at least two centuries older than any known Hebrew inscription from ancient Israel.9 The folded lead tablet contains an ancient Hebrew inscription which was inscribed on the lead with an iron stylus (cf. Job 19:23–24) in proto-alphabetic script (or proto-Hebrew script) and consists of 48 letters (one is a form of the divine name YHW (YHWH) in conjunction with another Hebrew name for God, El).10 The inscription is a chiastic parallelism and reads,
Job 19 23 24 in proto-alphabetic script or proto-Hebrew script and consists of 48 letters one is a form of the divine name YHW YHWH in conjunction with another Hebrew name for God, El. The epigraphical experts who worked on the tablet Galil and Pieter Gert van der Veen, an associate professor of Levantine Archaeology at the Johannes Gutenberg-University of Mainz, Germany date the tablet to the Late Bronze Age circa 1200 BCE based on the style of the lettering.
The curses were believed to be a means of invoking supernatural forces to bring harm upon those who disregarded the laws or rules that were inscribed in the tablets. The discovery of the Mt Ebal curse tablets provides valuable insights into the religious and social practices of ancient Israelite communities during this period. It suggests that curses were seen as a powerful tool to enforce various regulations and maintain order within the community.
Why’s the Mt. Ebal Curse Tablet so Important?
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These tablets were found in a context associated with other archaeological evidence consistent with ancient Israelite religious practices, such as altars and animal bones. This further supports the belief that the curses were an integral part of the religious and cultural practices of the time. However, it is important to note that the evidence surrounding the Mt Ebal curse tablets is limited, and our understanding of their purpose and significance is still the subject of ongoing research and debate among scholars..
Reviews for "The Mt Ebal Curse Tablet: Evidence of Ancient Supernatural Beliefs"
1. Jessica - 2 stars - I was really excited to visit Mt. Ebal and see the famous curse tablet, but I was highly disappointed. The tablet itself was poorly preserved and barely legible, making it difficult to understand the curse. Additionally, the area where the tablet was displayed was very crowded and it was hard to get a good look. Overall, I was underwhelmed by the experience and wouldn't recommend it to others.
2. Mark - 1 star - The Mt. Ebal curse tablet was a complete waste of time and money. The tablet was so small and poorly displayed that it was barely noticeable among the other artifacts in the museum. Furthermore, there was no information or explanation provided about the tablet, leaving visitors confused and unimpressed. I left feeling like I had just wasted my time and I wouldn't recommend this attraction to anyone.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - I had high expectations for the Mt. Ebal curse tablet, but unfortunately, it fell short. The tablet itself was partially broken and not well preserved, making it difficult to fully appreciate its historical significance. Additionally, there was little information available about the tablet, leaving visitors to interpret its meaning on their own. Overall, I was disappointed with this attraction and would suggest skipping it if you're looking for a more enriching experience.
4. David - 1 star - The Mt. Ebal curse tablet was nothing more than a tiny, illegible piece of ancient stone. There was no context or explanation provided, making it impossible to understand its significance. I was left feeling frustrated and unfulfilled by this attraction. I would advise others to spend their time and money on more engaging and informative experiences in the area.