Ancient Synagogue Inscription from Alexandrou
Nesos, Egypt: 218 BC
Synagogue Inscriptions
from the Oldest Synagogues in the world
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Alexandrou Nesos, Egypt: May 11, 218 BC
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A. Synagogue
Inscription:
1.
Inscription text: “To King Ptolemy1, greeting from ...who lives in Alexandrou Nesos. I have
been wronged by Dorotheos, (a Jew who lives in the) same village. In the 5th
year, according to the financial calendar, on Phamenoth ... (as I was talking
to) my co-worker, my mantle (which is worth... drachmae) caught Dorotheos' eye,
and he took it. When I saw him, (he fled2)
to the Jewish prayer hall3 [proseuche]
(holding) the mantle, (while I called for help). Lezelmis, a holder of 100
arourai, came up to help (and gave) the mantle to Nikomachos the (prayer hall)
official4 to keep till the
case was tried. Therefore I beg you, my king, to command Diophanes the
magistrate (to write to the) chief of police telling him to order Dorotheos and
Nikomachos to hand over the mantle to him, and, if what I write is true (to
make him give me the) mantle or its value; as for the injury... If this
happens, I shall have received justice through you, my king. Farewell.””
2.
Epigraphic evidence: Greek Synagogue text on papyrus
3.
Provenance: Alexandrou Nesos, Fayum region, Egypt, 1910 AD
4.
Current location: Unable to determine current location.
5.
Occupation Date (SOD) = Excavation
date + Inscriptional date + Literary date = 218 BC
a.
SOD
computation system details
b.
Excavation date: none
c.
Inscriptional date: none
d.
Literary date: May 11, 218 BC
6.
Contemporary Ruler: Ptolemy XV Caesarion: Last King of Ptolemy
(44-30 BC)
7.
References:
a.
CPJ: Corpus Papyrorum Judaicarum, Tcherikover, vol 1, no. 1.129, 1957 AD
8.
Related Literary references:
a.
Acts 16:13
b.
1 Cor 6
c.
Philo, Embassy 132-134
d.
Josephus, Life 277
e.
3 Macc 2:28; 4:18; 7:17-22
f.
Philo Special 1.156
g.
Josephus Wars 1.153.
9.
Further documentation and comments:
a.
This inscription clearly shows that synagogues were asylum and sanctuary
“no-go zones” for non-Jews.
b.
It also shows that the Synagogue was a court.
B. Inscription footnotes:
1. During
persecution of Jews by Ptolemy IV. cf.: 3 Macc 2:28; 4:18; 7:17-22
2. Early
synagogues were legal sanctuaries like grabbing hold of temple altar horns.
Like cities of refuge, they were also courts.
3. Lit.
proseuche = house of prayer, synagogue]
4. Lit.
nakoros = temple keeper, used of Jerusalem temple by Philo, Special Laws, 1.156
and Josephus Wars of the Jews 1.153.
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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Jesus your messiah is
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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!
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