One of the most famous and controversial aspects of the Merneptah Stele is the mention of Israel. The inscription contains the earliest known extrabiblical reference to the Israelites, specifically a group described as the “Israelites” in the land of Canaan. The stele reads: "Israel is laid waste and its seed is not." This statement is se
The Merneptah Stele is one of the most significant historical artifacts from Ancient Egypt. It stands as a testament to the reign of Pharaoh Merneptah, the son of the famous Egyptian ruler Ramesses II, and provides important insight into the political and military affairs of Egypt during the 19th Dynasty. The stele, discovered in 1896 by the Britis
The process of compiling the Bible was a lengthy one. The Old Testament was canonized (officially recognized as sacred scripture) over several centuries, with various Jewish communities accepting different books at different times. The process of determining the Old Testament canon was largely completed by the 2nd century BCE, though some debates c
The New Testament is the collection of Christian scriptures that describe the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, the early Christian church, and the letters written by apostles to various Christian communities. It consists of 27 books, including the Gospels, Acts, the Epistles (letters), and the Book of Revelation. a) The Gospels The four Gospel