The Ancient City of Gath, Home of Goliath, Discovered in Israel: History Supports Scripture

News Staff : Aug 4, 2015
JNS News

Among the most significant findings to date at the site include, among others: evidence of an earthquake in the 8th century BC possibly connected to the earthquake mentioned in the Book of Amos 1:1; remains relating to the earliest siege system in the world, constructed by Hazael, King of Aram Damascus around 830 BC, along with extensive evidence of the subsequent capture and destruction of the city by Hazael, as mentioned in Second Kings 12:18; and remains of the Crusader castle "Blanche Garde" at which Richard the Lion-Hearted is known to have been.

(Israel)—[JNS.org] Israeli archaeologists at Bar-Ilan University have discovered an entrance gate and other remnants of the Philistine city of Gath, which was mentioned in the Bible as the home of the giant Goliath, who fought and lost against the man who later became King David. (Photo Credit: Bar-Ilan University)

Professor Aren Maeir and his colleagues conducted the excavations in the Tel Zafit national park, which is located between Ashkelon and Jerusalem. Gath was destroyed in 830 BC by Hazael, the king of Damascus.

The gate is the largest of its kind to be discovered in Israel, according to Maeir, who said that fact substantiates the theory that Gath was once a very influential city.

Other items discovered in the same excavation included a temple, an iron production facility, and other buildings.

*Reprinted with permission via JNS.org.