Ancient Synagogue Inscription from Nitriani, Egypt 139 BC

Synagogue Inscriptions from the Oldest Synagogues in the world

 

Nitriani Egypt 139 BC

(Modern Wadi El Natrun, Egypt)

 

    A. Synagogue Inscription:

1.             Inscription text: “On behalf of King Ptolemy and Queen Cleopatra the sister and queen Cleopatra the wife, Benefactors, the Jews in Nitriani (dedicated) the synagogue and its appurtenances” [Lit. proseuche = house of prayer]

2.             Glyptic Artifact: Greek Synagogue inscription on limestone

3.             Provenance: Nitriani, [modern Wadi El Natrun] Egypt, 1929 AD

4.             Current location: Alexandria Museum.

5.             Synagogue Occupation Date (SOD) = Excavation date + Inscriptional date + Literary date = 139 BC

a.              SOD computation system details

b.              Excavation date: none

c.               Inscriptional date: 139 BC

d.              Literary date: none

6.             Contemporary Rulers: Ptolemy VIII Euergetes II, King of Ptolemy (145-116 BC)

7.             References:

a.              JIGRE #25; Corpus Inscriptionum Judaicarum II, Jean-Baptiste Frey, 2.1442, 1952 AD

8.             Related Literary references:

a.              Acts 16:13; Philo, Embassy 132-134; Josephus Life 277

 

B. Inscription footnotes:

1.       Lit. proseuche = house of prayer

2.       Out buildings: houses, storage, water installations, gardens

3.       Lit. exedra = adjoining structures: Out buildings: houses, storage, water installations, gardens

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

b.      Also at Theodostos 18 BC  inscription

c.       The Land survey of Crocodilopolis 113 BC

d.      Xenephyris 139 BC inscription

 

 

 

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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Literature

 

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Synagogue Excavations

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Synagogue Inscriptions

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Synagogue Literary Sources

 

 

 

Jesus Master Builder of the Church/Temple

Archeology of First Century Houses

 

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Jesus your messiah is waiting for you to come home!

Why not worship with a first century New Testament church near you, that has the same look and feel as the Jewish Synagogue in your own home town. As a Jew, you will find the transition as easy today as it was for the tens of thousands of your forefathers living in Jerusalem 2000 years ago when they believed in Jesus the Nazarene (the branch) as their messiah. It’s time to come home!

Click here to find a church near you.

 

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

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