Pool of Shiloam Excavation Report
Excavation Report – Pool of Siloam (Jerusalem)
Sharon Brown
BIBL 471
Liberty University
Pool of Siloam (Jerusalem)
Thesis Statement This report is to give information on the excavations of the Pool of Siloam and how it relates to the Bible. The Pool of Siloam is an important site as it helps to prove the New Testament story of the healing of the blind man in Jesus’ time at this pool. It is a historical site as it is specifically mentioned by name in the Bible, not some random pool that the blind man was sent to. Obviously this pool had significance to be mentioned by name – and the discovery of this site was a great discovery in that it is in my opinion a major part of biblical history not only in the New Testament but also in the Old Testament where it is referred to on more than one occasion.
Historical Background The Pool of Siloam was in biblical times – particularly in the time of Jesus was the place where a blind man was healed when Jesus told the blind man to wash in the pool of Siloam after he put mud and spittle in his eyes. “In the 400’s AD, a church was built above a pool attached to Hezekiah’s tunnel to commemorate the miracle of Jesus and the blind man. Until recently, this was considered the traditional site for the Pool of Siloam during the time of Christ.” Archaeologists have found evidence of ancient, rock-hewn water systems in and near Jerusalem. One fact about the pool of Siloam that should be used in determining the true identity of the pool of Siloam is the fact that “the pool of Jesus’ time was built early in the first century B.C. and was destroyed by the future emperor Titus about A.D. 70.” The true pool of Siloam was first found in Jerusalem in 2004, while workers were repairing sewage pipes, they found a freshwater reservoir that was believed to be a major gathering place for ancient Jews and where Jesus cured the blind man. During this excavation they discovered ancient steps near the mouth excavate
Sharon Brown
BIBL 471
Liberty University
Pool of Siloam (Jerusalem)
Thesis Statement This report is to give information on the excavations of the Pool of Siloam and how it relates to the Bible. The Pool of Siloam is an important site as it helps to prove the New Testament story of the healing of the blind man in Jesus’ time at this pool. It is a historical site as it is specifically mentioned by name in the Bible, not some random pool that the blind man was sent to. Obviously this pool had significance to be mentioned by name – and the discovery of this site was a great discovery in that it is in my opinion a major part of biblical history not only in the New Testament but also in the Old Testament where it is referred to on more than one occasion.
Historical Background The Pool of Siloam was in biblical times – particularly in the time of Jesus was the place where a blind man was healed when Jesus told the blind man to wash in the pool of Siloam after he put mud and spittle in his eyes. “In the 400’s AD, a church was built above a pool attached to Hezekiah’s tunnel to commemorate the miracle of Jesus and the blind man. Until recently, this was considered the traditional site for the Pool of Siloam during the time of Christ.” Archaeologists have found evidence of ancient, rock-hewn water systems in and near Jerusalem. One fact about the pool of Siloam that should be used in determining the true identity of the pool of Siloam is the fact that “the pool of Jesus’ time was built early in the first century B.C. and was destroyed by the future emperor Titus about A.D. 70.” The true pool of Siloam was first found in Jerusalem in 2004, while workers were repairing sewage pipes, they found a freshwater reservoir that was believed to be a major gathering place for ancient Jews and where Jesus cured the blind man. During this excavation they discovered ancient steps near the mouth excavate
References: 1. Maugh Thomas, Biblical Pool of Siloam is discovered: Final Home Edition. (Tulsa, Ok: Los Angeles Times, 2005) p.9 2 [ 3 ]. Maugh Thomas, Biblical Pool of Siloam is discovered: Final Home Edition. (Tulsa, Ok: Los Angeles Times, 2005) p.9 [ 4 ]