Rare First Temple Seal Found

January 20, 2009

According to the excavation director, archaeologist Shlomit Wexler-Bdolah, “The seal, which apparently belonged to a private individual, is made of black stone, is elliptical in shape and measures 1.2 x 1.4 cm (0.47 x 0.55 in). It is adorned with an engraved decoration of an archer shooting a bow and arrow. The name of the archer is engraved in ancient Hebrew script next to him and reads LHGB (“for Hagab”). The name Hagab is mentioned in the Bible in Ezra 2:46, as well as in the Lachish Letters, which also date to the time of the First Temple.