Ancient Synagogue Inscription from Cairo, Egypt: 246 BC

Synagogue Inscriptions from the Oldest Synagogues in the world

 

Cairo, Egypt: 246 BC

 

 

   A. Synagogue Inscription:

1.       Inscription text: “On the orders of the queen & king, in place of the previous plaque about the dedication of the synagogue1 let what is written below be written. King Ptolemy Euergetes [proclaimed] the synagogue inviolate2. The queen & king gave the order”

2.       Glyptic Artifact: Greek Synagogue inscription on Marble      

3.       Provenance: Bought in Cairo, Egypt, 1875 AD

4.       Current location: Bode Museum, Berlin.

5.       Synagogue Occupation Date (SOD) = Excavation date + Inscriptional date + Literary date = 246 BC

a.        SOD computation system details

b.        Excavation date: none

c.         Inscriptional date: 246 BC

d.        Literary date: none

6.       Contemporary Rulers:

a.         Contemporary Ruler when new inscription replaced old one: Cleopatra VII, Ptolemy XIV or XV (47-31 BC)

b.        Contemporary Ruler of original inscription: Ptolemy III Euergetes King of Ptolemy (246-222 BC)

7.       References:

a.         Corpus Inscriptionum Judaicarum II, Jean-Baptiste Frey, 2.1449, 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 is a new inscription that replaced an older inscription. While the new inscription dates archeologically to c. 40 BC, it replaced a much older inscription that dates to 246 BC.

 

B. Inscription footnotes:

1.      Lit. proseuche = house of prayer, synagogue

2.      inviolate = right of asylum, Sanctuary status when inside the synagogue.

3.      The Greek inscription is augmented with the Latin “regina et rex” which translates to “The queen and king”

 

 

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

 

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Ancient Synagogues

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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

Attend a church you can read about in the Bible: Click here to find a church near you.

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

 

 

 

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Jewish Messianic Expectations in DSS

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Excavations

Inscriptions

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

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

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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