Body: | Ancient Synagogue Inscriptions from Delos, Greece 250 BC
Synagogue Inscriptions from the Oldest Synagogues in the world
Delos, Greece #2: 250 BC
(Samaritan Synagogue)
A. Delos Synagogue Inscription #2: (One of two inscriptions from Delos)
1. Inscription text: "The Israelites on Delos who make
first-fruit offerings to the temple1 on holy Mt. Gerizim honour Menippos,
son of Artemidorus, of Herakleion2, both himself and his descendants, for
constructing and dedicating, his own funds, for the synagogue3 of God, the
... and crown him with a gold crown..."
2. Glyptic artifact: Greek Synagogue inscription on marble
3. Provenance: Both Delos inscriptions #1 and #2 were found
together on the seashore 100 meters from the Synagogue on Delos Island,
Greece 1979 AD.
4. Current location: Delos Museum, Greece
5. Delos Synagogue Occupation Date (SOD) = Excavation date +
Inscriptional date + Literary date = 250 BC
a. SOD computation system details
b. Excavation date: Delos excavation top plan 250 BC
c. Inscriptional date: 250 BC and Delos #1 synagogue
inscription
d. Literary date: none
6. References:
a. Les Israélites de Délos et la juiverie délienne,
Philippe Bruneau, BCH, p465, 1982 AD
b. IJO: Inscriptiones Judaicae Orientis, David Noy, vol 1,
Arc66, 2004 AD
7. Related Bible verses:
a. Woman at the well, "Spirit and Truth" John 4:7-45
b. Freewill "first fruit offerings" sent to needy
Christians in Jerusalem by early Christians: 1 Cor 16:1-2
8. Further documentation:
a. Delos inscription: 250 BC
b. Delos excavation top plan 250 BC
B. Discussion about inscription:
1. This is one of two Delos inscriptions found together on the
shore near the synagogue. See the other Delos inscription #2: 250 BC
2. "Bruneau dates the inscription to 150-50 BCE on
palaeographic grounds. For the significance of oi, iv MIXT for dating, cf.
#Ach66. If the dating is correct, it shows striking continuity with #Ach66
in the way the Samaritans of Delos designated themselves, and in the form
of wreath used on the stones (unless the wreaths survive from earlier use).
The two inscriptions may be closer to each other in time than Bruneau
believes." (IJO: Inscriptiones Judaicae Orientis, David Noy, vol 1,
Arc67, p233, 2004 AD)
3. Bruneau wrongly dated this inscription to 150 BC because
quasi-citizenship for foreigners wasn't granted until the beginning of
Athenian control in 166 BC. Bruneau also takes the extreme view that this
is not even a synagogue but a prayer.
4. "The two inscriptions may be closer to each other in time
than Bruneau believes" (IJO, Noy, vol 1, p233, 2004)
5. John Hycranus destroyed the Samaritan temple on Mt Gerizim in
128 BC: Jos. Ant 13:254
6. Knossos is the capital of Crete Island.
C. Inscription footnotes:
1. John Hycranus destroyed the Samaritan temple on Mt Gerizim in
128 BC: Josephus Antiquities 13:254-256
2. His hometown was Herakleion, the port city of Knossos on
Island of Crete.
3. Lit. proseuche = prayer hall. Must be a Samaritan synagogue as
opposed to Jewish because Jews would donate to Jerusalem and hated the
Samaritans.
D. See also: The Samaritans: Full outline and their history.
https://www.bible.ca/archeology/bible-archeology-shechem-josephs-tomb-1865ad.jpg
E. For full discussion on the Delos Synagogue see: Delos excavation top
plan 250 BC
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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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