Ancient Synagogue Inscription from Athribis, Egypt: 194 BC

Synagogue Inscriptions from the Oldest Synagogues in the world

 

Athribis, Egypt #2: 194 BC

 

 

   A. Synagogue Inscription:

1.       Inscription text: “On behalf of King Ptolemy and Queen Cleopatra, and their children, Hermias and his wife Philotera and  their children (gave) this  exedra1 to the synagogue2” [Lit. proseuche = house of prayer]

2.      Glyptic Artifact: Greek Synagogue inscription on Marble             

3.       Provenance: Athribis (Benha), Egypt, 1876 AD

4.       Current location: Unable to determine current location.

5.       Synagogue Occupation Date (SOD) = Excavation date + Inscriptional date + Literary date = 194 BC

a.        SOD computation system details

b.        Excavation date: none

c.         Inscriptional date: 194 BC

d.        Literary date: none

6.       Contemporary Ruler: Ptolemy V Epiphanes King of Ptolemy (204-180 BC)

7.       References:

a.         JIGRE #28; Corpus Inscriptionum Judaicarum II, Jean-Baptiste Frey, 2.1444, 1952 AD

8.       Related Literary references:

a.         Acts 16:13

b.        Philo, Embassy 132-134

c.         Josephus, Life 277

9.       Further documentation and comments:

a.         This inscription is one of two found at Athribis. See Athribis #1

b.        The exedra shows a high level of fixed construction associated with the synagogue complex.

 

B. Inscription footnotes:

1.      Exedra: Separate building adjoining or beside. Used for housing for preacher, storage etc.

2.      Lit. proseuche = house of prayer, synagogue

 

  

By Steve Rudd 2017: Contact the author for comments, input or corrections

 

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Master introduction: Summary overview is the place to start to tie it all together.

Providence: God’s eternal plan: The providential transition from Temple to Synagogue to Church

Origin: Synagogues originated at Alexandria Egypt in 280 BC spawned by the Septuagint

Jesus the Messiah of the Tanakh:

1.       First Century Jewish Messianic Expectation: As witnessed in the Dead Sea scrolls.

2.       Looking for the wrong thing: Mistaken Jewish ideas of the Messiah in 30 AD.

3.       Jesus fulfilled Prophecy: Master list of fulfilled messianic prophecies

4.       Jesus fulfilled Prophecy: "He shall be called a Nazarene (branch)" Matthew 2:23

5.       Jesus fulfilled Prophecy: “Jesus would rise the third day” 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

Synagogue Architectural Prototypes in the Church:

1.         Standard architectural synagogue typology: Introduction, Master Chart

2.         Mikveh for Ritual Purity: The Christian Maker

3.         Ritual purity stone Vessels: Stoneware cups and wash basins

4.         Freestanding Columns: Antitype of Christians

5.         Artwork: Heart-Shaped Columns

6.         The bema: Prototype of the Church Pulpit

7.         Synagogue Benches: Metaphor of Equality in Christ

8.         Women Seating in Synagogues: Not segregated from men

9.         The Moses’ Seat: Metaphor of Pride

10.    Niches & Ark of The Scrolls: Prototype of Church Apse

11.    Table of the Scrolls: Prototype of Communion Table

12.    Byzantine Church Architecture: Octagonal and Basilica

13.    Orientation: Early Synagogues did not Point to Jerusalem

14.    The Church replaced the Temple: Replacement theology is pure Christianity

Synagogue Worship Prototypes in the Church:

15.    Worship prototypes: Introduction and Master Summary Chart

16.    Collective Names of Synagogues: House of Prayer, Temple, Church

17.    Organization of Synagogues: Elders, officials, attendants, Independent, autonomous

18.    Attendance: Weekly Sabbath Assemblies in Synagogues absent from Tanakh

19.    Public Bible readings: Preaching and Teaching In Synagogues

20.    Greek Septuagint: The Standard Tanakh of every ancient synagogue

21.    Greek Septuagint scroll of the Twelve Minor Prophets written in 50 BC

22.    Prayer in Synagogues: “House of prayer” Proseuche

23.    Food: Sacred Passover Meals, No Common Meals In Synagogues

24.    Sermon Topics in Synagogues: How Christians used the Tanakh to convert Jews

25.    Singing in Synagogues: Non-Instrumental Acapella Responsive Singing

26.    Benevolence Money: Freewill Weekly First fruits Collections for poor in Synagogues

27.    Education: Schools and Literacy of Jews In Synagogues

28.    Role of Women in Synagogues: Never leaders, preachers but never segregated

29.    Sanctuary Status: Refugees seeking Asylum in Synagogues

30.    Appendages: Hostels, Housing and Food Banks in Synagogues

31.    Civil Court: Judgements, beatings and scourging in Synagogues

32.    Civic Meetings: Political Town Hall assemblies in Synagogues

33.    Christians replaced Jews: Replacement theology is pure Christianity

Synagogue Occupation Date (SOD)= Excavation date + Inscriptional date + Literary date 

Allusions: Synagogue worship allusions and imagery in the New Testament

Master builder Stonemason Jesus: “Upon this Rock I will build My church

Everyday life: Archeology of Everyday Life and Homes at the time of Jesus

Master List: Master list of First Temple Period, Pre-70 AD Synagogues

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By Steve Rudd 2017: Contact the author for comments, input or corrections

 

 

 

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Excavations

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Archeology of First Century Houses

 

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 By Steve Rudd: Contact the author for comments, input or corrections.

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