Researchers from Tel Aviv University, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Bar-Ilan University, and Ariel University used a method of measuring the Earth's magnetic field to verify the destruction of the Philistine city of Gath by Hazael, king of Aram, as recorded in 2 Kings 12:17.

"About this time Hazael King of Aram went up and attacked Gath and captured it. Then he turned to attack Jerusalem," it reads.

Lead scientist, Dr. Yoav Vaknin, from the Sonia & Marco Nadler Institute of Archaeology at Tel Aviv University, explained that, unlike previous methods, the new technique determined the intensity of the fire and the scope of the destruction in Gath, which was the home of Goliath.

Vaknin and his team used the new method to settle an archeological dispute as to whether previously discovered bricks of the city wall were burned in an extensive fire or rather if the bricks found in the structure had been fired in a kiln before construction.

Previous research proposed the building had merely collapsed on its own over several decades.

"Our findings are important for determining the intensity of the fire and the scope of destruction in Gath—the largest and most powerful city in the land at the time, and also for understanding construction practices in the region," said Professor Aren Maeir, one of the co-authors of the study from the Department of Land of Israel Studies and Archaeology at Bar-Ilan University.

A finding published in the PLOS One journal explained that bricks, which are made from mud, contain millions of ferromagnetic particles. When bricks are heated in fire the magnetic particles align with the earth's magnetic field.

"When a brick is fired in a kiln before construction, it records the direction of the earth's magnetic field at that specific time and place. In Israel this means north and downward. But when builders take bricks from a kiln and build a wall, they lay them in random orientations, thus randomizing the recorded signals. On the other hand, when a wall is burned in-situ, as might happen when it is destroyed by an enemy, the magnetic fields of all bricks are locked in the same orientation," explained Vaknin.

The method confirmed that the Gath bricks discovered during excavation were not fired in a kiln, but rather were burned by a large fire, which verifies the account in 2 Kings 12:17—that the town was indeed destroyed through a common method of warfare.

"Our method allowed us to determine that all bricks in both the wall and debris had burned during the conflagration: those at the bottom burned at relatively low temperatures, and those that were found in higher layers or had fallen from the top -at temperatures higher than 600°C (1112°F) ," Vaknin added. Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here

Talia Wise has served as a multi-media producer for CBNNews.com, CBN Newswatch, The Prayer Link, and CBN News social media outlets.

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

Why the New RomCom ‘MERV’ Can Bring You Joy This Christmas

How the 'Heavens Declare the Glory of God': What One Man's Research Has Revealed about The Star of Bethlehem

Over 50 Tren de Aragua Gang Members Imported Under Democrats Indicted in Nebraska in Massive Nationwide ATM Jackpotting Scheme

205 Child Victims Located and Rescued in DOJ Sex Exploitation Op

Trump Admin Pausing All Off Shore Wind Project Construction Due To National Security Concerns

Trump Grants Federal Workers Two Additional Christmas Holidays

America Fest 2025: Erika Kirk Endorses 'My Husband's Friend' JD Vance for President

Brent Bozell Confirmed as US Ambassador to South Africa

Jury Quickly Convicts Judge Who Helped Illegal Migrant Escape ICE

Feds Estimate Somali-Linked Fraud in Walz's Minnesota Could Top $9 Billion

Trump SUSPENDS 'Green Card Lottery' after Program Let Brown University–MIT Shooting Suspect Enter the US

Brown, MIT Shooter Found Dead for Days in NH Storage Unit; Motive Still a Mystery

House Passes Bill to Criminalize Transgender Mutilation of Children

November Inflation Falls to 2.7%, Lower than Expected: 'This Is Good News for Wall Street; It’s Good News for Main Street'

MOVIEGUIDE's Review of the New Animated Film: DAVID

Massachusetts Drops Controversial Gender Ideology Mandate for Licensing Foster Care Parents

Nearly 40% of Women Suffer Severe Grief for Years after Abortion, Miscarriage: Study

Former Pfizer Vice President: COVID Shots Were 'Designed to Cause Injury,' Reduce Fertility

Dutch Sheets Shares a Warning from the US National Counterterrorism Center

Venezuela: Trump's Pressure Campaign and Maduro's Fury