A rare archaeological discovery is reigniting debates about the Jewish presence in Jerusalem during periods of imperial prohibition. A 1,300-year-old lead medallion, decorated with the image of a seven-branched menorah, was found near the Temple Mount, providing tangible evidence that Jews never completely abandoned their sacred city, even when they were legally prohibited from entering it.
The find, announced by the Israel Antiquities Authority and the City of David Foundation, represents the first lead menorah medallion discovered in controlled scientific excavations. The discovery occurred during work at the Davidson Archaeological Park, located in the southwest corner of the Temple Mount, in a structure from the late Byzantine period that was already known as the "House of the Menorah" due to the three menorahs engraved on its walls.
The Moment of Discovery
Ayayu Belete, a member of the City of David team, recounted the exciting moment he found the artifact: "One day, while excavating inside an ancient structure, I suddenly saw something different - gray - among the stones. I picked up the object and saw that it was a medallion with a menorah. I immediately showed the discovery to Esther Rakow-Mellet, the area director, and she said it was an especially rare find. I was deeply moved and excited!"
The medallion is made of nearly 100% lead and features identical images of a seven-branched menorah on both sides, although one side is significantly damaged by wear over time. According to the Israel Antiquities Authority, the artifact is "an exceptionally rare discovery." While other menorah medallions made of different materials have been found, only one other lead example was previously known - and that is in the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore, Maryland, with an unknown origin.
Jerusalem in the Byzantine Period
To fully understand the significance of this discovery, it is essential to grasp the historical context of the Byzantine period in Jerusalem. After the destruction of the Second Temple by the Romans in 70 CE, imperial authorities implemented increasingly restrictive policies against the Jewish presence in the holy city.
During the Byzantine rule (which consolidated after the 4th century CE), restrictions intensified. Christian emperors issued edicts prohibiting Jews from residing or even entering Jerusalem, transforming the city into a predominantly Christian center. These prohibitions, however, were not absolutely effective, as evidenced by recent archaeological finds.
There was a brief period of hope when the Persians conquered Jerusalem in the early 7th century. Some Jews, who had assisted in the Persian siege, were initially allowed to return. This moment generated expectations of the Temple's reconstruction, but the permission was quickly revoked by the conquerors.
The Menorah as a Symbol of National Continuity
According to Dr. Yuval Baruch, the excavation director, the medallion would have been used as a personal amulet rather than as an ornamental piece of jewelry, due to its simple nature. Lead was "a common and particularly popular material for making amulets at that time," he explained.
Representations of menorahs are quite common in Byzantine-era Israel. According to Dr. Baruch, the menorah became a "symbol of national memory" during this period when the Temple had long been destroyed. It expressed the "expectation of national rebirth among Jewish communities in the land of Israel."
The menorah, the seven-branched candelabrum that originally illuminated the Tabernacle and later the Temple of Jerusalem, became one of the most powerful symbols of Jewish identity. Its image not only recalled the splendor of the lost Temple but also represented the hope for future restoration and the unbroken continuity of the Jewish people with their land and ancestral faith.
Archaeological and Religious Significance
What makes this medallion especially fascinating is that it was found during a period when Jews were rarely allowed to enter their holy city. Beginning with the Romans and continuing into the Byzantine period, imperial regulations attempted to keep Jews away from Jerusalem. When the Persians conquered the city, they briefly allowed Jewish return - some Jews had even helped in the siege - but changed their minds shortly thereafter.
This did not stop Jews from finding ways to enter, however. Baruch states that the find "attests that during periods when imperial edicts were issued prohibiting Jews from residing in the city, they did not stop going there!"
This discovery complements other significant finds in the region. More than a decade ago, excavations by the late Dr. Eilat Mazar in the Ophel revealed a gold medallion with a seven-branched menorah, along with a treasure of gold coins and other objects. It was also found in a structure from the Byzantine period, likely hidden by Jews in Jerusalem shortly before the Persian invasion.
Mazar called that find "unique in a lifetime." It showed that even before the Persians, some Jews were still present in Jerusalem. According to Mazar, the medallion could have been part of a treasure brought by prominent Jews for the service of the Temple who hoped to rebuild under the Persians - unsuccessfully.
The Menorah in Biblical Tradition
The origin of the menorah traces back to God Himself, who gave detailed instructions to Moses regarding its construction. In Exodus 25:31-40, we find the divine specifications for the candelabrum that would illuminate the Tabernacle:
"You shall also make a lampstand of pure gold; the lampstand shall be made of hammered gold; its base, its shaft, its cups, its knobs, and its flowers shall be of one piece. Six branches shall come out of its sides: three branches of the lampstand on one side and three branches of the lampstand on the other side" (Exodus 25:31-32).
The menorah was not merely a functional object for illumination. It carried profound spiritual symbolism. The seven branches may represent the seven days of creation, with the central branch symbolizing the Sabbath. The pure gold of its composition reflected holiness and divine presence. The oil that fueled it had to be pure, representing the necessary purity in worshiping God.
When the Second Temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE, the original golden menorah was taken as war booty. The Arch of Titus in Rome still displays a relief showing Roman soldiers carrying the menorah in triumph. This image carved in stone became a painful symbol of Jewish exile, but also of the resilience of a people who never forgot their heritage.
Connections to Other Archaeological Finds
This discovery in Jerusalem is part of a broader pattern of archaeological evidence confirming the continuous Jewish presence in the Land of Israel, even during periods of oppression. Excavations in the City of David have consistently revealed artifacts that document Jewish life through the centuries, from the period of the First Temple to the Byzantine era and beyond.
In other locations of ancient Jerusalem, archaeologists have found seals, coins, inscriptions, and ritual objects that testify to the persistence of the Jewish community. Byzantine synagogues discovered in various parts of Israel also confirm that, despite imperial prohibitions, organized Jewish communities continued to exist and practice their faith.
The discovery of multiple representations of menorahs in Byzantine structures suggests that this symbol had become central to Jewish identity at the time. Unlike the physical Temple that had been destroyed, the image of the menorah could be worn, engraved on walls, printed on seals, and used as a personal amulet - a portable way to keep the memory and hope alive.
The Significance of Amulets in the Ancient World
In the context of the ancient world, amulets were not mere decorations. They carried deep religious and protective significance. The use of lead to make amulets was common because the material was accessible and relatively easy to mold, allowing even people of modest means to possess important symbolic objects.
For the Jew who carried this specific medallion, it represented much more than a simple amulet. It was a declaration of identity in difficult times, a tangible connection to the heritage of the Temple, and possibly a spiritual protection in a city where their presence was often prohibited. Wearing this distinctly Jewish symbol in Jerusalem during the Byzantine period was an act of courage and faith.
The Importance of Hanukkah and the Presentation of the Find
It is no coincidence that this rare medallion was presented to the public for the first time during Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights. Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple after the Maccabean revolt against the Seleucid Empire in the 2nd century BCE, when, according to tradition, a small amount of pure oil miraculously kept the Temple's menorah lit for eight days.
The connection between the menorah and Hanukkah is intrinsic. During this festival, Jews light the hanukkiah, a nine-branched candelabrum (eight for the days of the miracle, plus the shamash, the helper candle). This ritual keeps alive the memory of both the miracle of the oil and the original menorah of the Temple.
Rabbi Amichai Eliyahu, Israel's Minister of Heritage, commented that discoveries like these "tell the story of the continuity and devotion of the Jewish people in the city. Even during periods when Jews were prohibited from entering Jerusalem, the connection to this sacred place did not cease."
The presentation during Heritage Week at the Jay and Jeanie Schottenstein National Campus for the Archaeology of Israel in Jerusalem symbolizes how finds from the past continue to inform and inspire the present.
Jerusalem: The City That Was Never Abandoned
This archaeological discovery challenges simplistic narratives about the history of Jerusalem. Often, history is told as if, after the destruction of the Temple and the subsequent expulsions, Jerusalem became a completely non-Jewish city for long periods. However, archaeological evidence like this medallion paints a more complex and resilient picture.
Jews found ways to maintain their connection with Jerusalem, even when it meant violating imperial decrees. They risked severe punishments to visit the Temple Mount, pray at the Western Wall (the only visible remnant of the Second Temple), and maintain a presence, however small, in the city that David had established as the capital three thousand years ago.
This persistence was not merely sentimental. It was deeply rooted in Jewish theology and identity. Jerusalem is not just a city in Jewish tradition - it is the spiritual heart of the people, the site of the Temple where the divine presence dwelled, and the center of messianic hopes for future redemption. The Psalms express this unwavering love: "If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill. Let my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth, if I do not remember you, if I do not prefer Jerusalem above my chief joy" (Psalm 137:5-6).
Implications for Understanding Biblical History
Finds like this medallion have significant implications for our understanding of the historical continuity between the biblical world and later periods. They demonstrate that the symbols and practices described in the Scriptures did not disappear with the destruction of the Temple but were adapted and preserved through the generations.
The menorah of the Tabernacle and the Temple, described in meticulous detail in the book of Exodus, continued to inspire and define Jewish identity more than a thousand years later. This is a powerful testament to the enduring influence of the Scriptures on the life and culture of the people of Israel.
For biblical scholars, archaeological finds like this offer a tangible bridge between the sacred text and the historical reality lived. They remind us that biblical narratives are not mere abstract stories but events that shaped real civilizations and continued to influence generations for millennia.
The Ongoing Work of Biblical Archaeology
The excavations in the City of David and around the Temple Mount represent some of the most important archaeological projects in the world. Each excavation season brings new discoveries that illuminate our understanding of ancient Jerusalem and the biblical world.
The Armstrong Institute, which reported this find, has been involved in significant archaeological excavations in Jerusalem for years, working in partnership with the Israel Antiquities Authority. Their work in the Ophel area, at the foot of the Temple Mount, has produced extraordinary finds that confirm biblical accounts and reveal fascinating details about life in ancient Jerusalem.
These excavations are not merely academic exercises. They have profound implications for our understanding of biblical history, Jewish cultural continuity, and the significance of Jerusalem as a holy city for multiple religious traditions.
Spiritual Lessons from a Small Medallion
There is something deeply moving about this small lead medallion. It speaks to us of faith preserved in difficult times, of identity maintained against all odds, and of hope that persists through centuries of exile and oppression.
The Jew who wore this amulet lived in a time when their presence in Jerusalem was legally prohibited, when the Temple that the menorah symbolized had been in ruins for centuries, and when the future of their people seemed uncertain. Yet, he (or she) chose to openly carry this symbol, declaring their identity and keeping the memory and hope alive.
This is a powerful lesson about spiritual resilience. True faith does not depend on favorable circumstances or intact institutional structures. It persists in the hearts of believers, expresses itself through symbols and practices, and remains steadfast even when all seems lost.
For Christians studying these finds, there are also significant connections. Jesus, a Jew who lived when the Second Temple was still standing, would have seen menorahs in the Temple. He Himself declared to be "the light of the world" (John 8:12), a statement that resonates with the symbolism of the menorah as a source of divine light.
The book of Revelation also uses the image of seven lampstands (which many interpret as menorahs) to represent the seven churches (Revelation 1:12-20), suggesting a continuity of symbolism between the Jewish and Christian traditions. The divine light that shone through the menorah in the Temple finds its fulfillment in Christ, who illuminates not only Israel but all nations.
Memory, Identity, and Hope
The 1,300-year-old menorah medallion discovered in Jerusalem is much more than an ancient artifact. It is a testament to persistence, a symbol of preserved identity, and tangible evidence that the ties between the Jewish people and their sacred city were never completely severed, even in the darkest periods of history.
This discovery reminds us that history is complex and that human resilience, especially when rooted in deep faith, can overcome even the most formidable obstacles. The Jew who wore this medallion could not foresee that, more than a thousand years later, their small amulet would be discovered and studied, serving as a testament to their faith for future generations.
For all of us studying biblical history and the archaeology of the ancient Near East, finds like this are precious reminders that we are dealing with real people who lived real lives, faced real challenges, and maintained real faith in difficult times. Their stories, preserved both in sacred texts and in artifacts buried beneath the soil of Jerusalem, continue to inspire and teach us today.
May this small lead medallion teach us about the importance of preserving our spiritual identity, maintaining hope in difficult times, and never underestimating the power of sacred symbols to connect generations across the centuries. The light of the menorah, which shone in the Tabernacle of Moses, in the Temple of Solomon, and in the heart of that anonymous Byzantine Jew, continues to shine today, illuminating our understanding of the past and guiding our steps in the present.
Credits and Acknowledgments
This article was prepared based on information provided by the Armstrong Institute of Biblical Archaeology, which has been doing exceptional work in archaeological excavations in Jerusalem. The original article can be accessed at: https://armstronginstitute.org/1398-another-menorah-medallion-found-in-jerusalem
We thank the Armstrong Institute, the Israel Antiquities Authority, the City of David Foundation, and all the archaeologists and workers involved in the excavations that made this discovery possible. Their dedicated work continues to enrich our understanding of the biblical world and the history of Jerusalem.
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