Ancient Synagogue Inscription from Hadra district in Alexandria, Egypt: 200 BC

Synagogue Inscriptions from the Oldest Synagogues in the world

 

Hadra District of Alexandria, Egypt: 200 BC

 

 

 A. Alexandria Synagogue Inscription:

1.       Inscription text: “To God, the Highest ... the sacred precinct1 and the synagogue2 and its appurtenances3

2.       Glyptic artifact: Greek Synagogue inscription on marble

3.       Provenance: Hadra, Alexandria, Egypt, discovered in rubbish, 1907 AD.

4.       Current location: Alexandria Museum

5.       Alexandria Synagogue Occupation Date (SOD) = Excavation date + Inscriptional date + Literary date = 262 BC

a.         SOD computation system details

b.        Excavation date: none

c.         Inscriptional date: 200 BC

                                                                i.      Alexandria 3 AD

                                                              ii.      Gabbary 37 BC

                                                            iii.      Hadra 200 BC

d.        Literary date:

                                                                i.      Josephus 20 BC

                                                              ii.      Philo 262 BC

                                                            iii.      Tosefta 250 AD

                                                            iv.      Jerusalem Talmud 400 AD

                                                              v.      Babylonian Talmud 500 AD

6.       Contemporary Ruler: Ptolemy Epiphanes V (204-180 BC)

7.       References:

a.         JIGRE #9; Corpus Inscriptionum Judaicarum II, Jean-Baptiste Frey, 2.1433, 1952 AD

8.       Related Literary references:

a.         Acts 16:13;

b.        Philo, Embassy 132-134;

c.         Josephus, Life 277

9.       Further documentation:

a.         Great Basilica Synagogue of Alexandria: 280 BC – 117 AD 

b.        “The great sanhedrin was [made up of] seventy-one members, B and the small one was [made up of] twenty-three. C And how do we know that the great sanhedrin was to have seventy-one members? D Since it is said, Gather to me seventy men of the elders of Israel (Num. 11:16). E Since Moses was in addition to them, lo, there were seventy-one. F R. Judah says, “It is seventy.” G And how do we know that a small one is twenty-three? H Since it is said, The congregation shall judge, and The congregation shall deliver (Num. 35:24, (25)— I one congregation judges, and one congregation saves—thus there are twenty. J And how do we know that a congregation is ten?  Since it is said, How long shall I bear with this evil congregation [of the ten spies] (Num. 14:27)—xcluding Joshua and Caleb. K And how do we know that we should add three more? L From the implication of that which is said, You shall not follow after the many to do evil (Ex. 23:20), I derive the inference that I should be with them to o good. M If so, why is it said, After the many to do evil? N Your verdict of acquittal is not equivalent to your verdict of guilt. O Your verdict of acquittal may be on the vote of a majority of one, but your vote for guilt must be by a majority of two. P Since there cannot be a court of an even number of members [twenty-two], they add yet another—thus twenty-three. Q And how many residents must there be in a town so that it may be suitable for a sanhedrin? R One hundred and twenty. S R. Nehemiah says, “Two hundred and thirty, equivalent in number to the chiefs of groups of ten [Ex. 18:21].” (Mishnah, m. Sanhedrin 1:6)

 

B. Inscription footnotes:

1.       Gr: hieros peribolos = sacred places = out of bounds = asylum, fenced off area. Used by Philo of synagogues in Flaccus 41-53, Alexandria, 38-41 AD)

2.       Lit. proseuche =  house of prayer

3.       Appurtenances: Separate building adjoining or beside. Used for housing for preacher, storage etc.

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

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Archeology of First Century Houses

 

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