Ancient Synagogue Inscriptions from Delos, Greece 250 BC

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.

E. For full discussion on the Delos Synagogue see: Delos excavation top plan 250 BC

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

Quick links
Ancient Synagogues Go to: Main Start Page
By Steve Rudd 2017: Contact the author for comments, input or corrections
Quick links: 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 Attend a church you can read about in the Bible: Click here to find a church near you. By Steve Rudd 2017: Contact the author for comments, input or corrections

Go to: Master Synagogue List		Go to: Jewish Messianic Expectations in DSS		Go to: Map of Synagogue Sites

Excavations	Inscriptions			Literature
Go to: Synagogue Excavations	Go to: Synagogue Inscriptions			Go to: Synagogue Literary Sources

Jesus Master Builder of the Church/Temple			Archeology of First Century Houses
By Steve Rudd 2017: Contact the author for comments, input or corrections

Jesus your messiah is waiting for you to come home!

Why not worship with a first century New Testament church near you, that has the same look and feel as the Jewish Synagogue in your own home town. As a Jew, you will find the transition as easy today as it was for the tens of thousands of your forefathers living in Jerusalem 2000 years ago when they believed in Jesus the Nazarene (the branch) as their messiah. It’s time to come home!

Click here to find a church near you.

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

Go to: Main Ancient Synagogue Start Page

Go To Start: WWW.BIBLE.CA