Major Biblical doomsday discovery as fingerprint found on ancient seal

A clay seal has been discovered in Jerusalem that evidences biblical account (Image: The Temple Mount Sifting Project)

Dating back 2,600 years, the clay seal, known as bulla, dates back to the First Temple period and bears an ancient Hebrew inscription that reads: "Belonging to Yeda’yah (son of) Asayahu".

Archaeologists also discovered a fingerprint present on the seal, likely dating back to the original owner.

It is believed that the name inscribed on the seal may directly link to a moment in the biblical account of King Josiah of Judah, who implemented major religious reforms after a sacred scroll was discovered in Jerusalem.

The scroll is believed to be a version of the fifth part of the Bible, Deuteronomy, and outlined severe curses for disobedience, including famine and war.

Upon hearing its contents, King Josiah sent a group of officials, including a man named Asayahu, to rid Jerusalem of pagan practices.

It evidences King Josiah's religious reforms implemented after the discovery of a Doomsday scroll (Image: Wikipedia)

The fact that the recently unearthed seal contains the name of Asayahu’s son offers key evidence that points towards a royal official likely active during this period.

The discovery marks a turning point in Judah’s religious history, due to it supporting the individuals named in the biblical record.

Despite this compelling evidence, co-director of the archaeological project, Zachi Dvira, told The Times of Israel that they are still “not sure that the Asayahu mentioned on the sealing is the same that appears in the Bible.

“However, several such artefacts found in the area of the Temple Mount carry biblical names, and it does make sense, because these were not objects used by common people”.

In the Bible, Asayahu is described as being “the king’s servant”, and it is likely that his son Yeda’yah would’ve followed in his footsteps in becoming a high-ranking member of the royal court or Temple administration.

The discovery was made near the Temple Mount (Image: https://www.touristisrael.com/temple-mount/15944/)

The seal itself was likely used to secure an item such as a bag, hinted at through marks on the back of the clay.

The style of script places it between the late 7th and early 6th century BC.

This aligns with the Bible, where it says that King Josiah ordered that repairs be made to the Temple in Jerusalem, after it was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586BC.

During the siege, much of the city’s food came from royal and Temple storehouses, and these supplies were sealed with pieces of clay stamped with the names of the officials responsible for managing them.

This recently discovered seal links to this practice, and acts as physical evidence towards a part of religious history.