A remarkable clay seal impression bearing the inscription "Belonging to Yed[a]yah (son of) Asayahu" has been unearthed at the Temple Mount Sifting Project, offering a potential link to the era of King Josiah. The discovery, made just weeks ago by archaeologist Mordechai Ehrlich, has drawn attention for its connection to the late First Temple period (late-7th to early-6th century BC), a time marked by major reforms and biblical significance. Experts note that the seal may tie into the events recorded during Josiah’s reign, particularly the discovery of a sacred law scroll—believed to be Deuteronomy—during Temple renovations, just before Jerusalem's fall.

The seal still bears the fingerprint of its ancient owner and shows markings suggesting it was once used to secure a bag or storage container. Epigraphers Dr. Anat Mendel-Geberovich and Zachi Dvira helped decipher the inscription, noting that both names on the seal echo familiar biblical figures. The artifact adds weight to the historical reliability of the biblical account and provides a tangible connection to the period of spiritual revival under Josiah, when the nation briefly turned back to God’s Word before its destruction and exile.

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SOURCE: Jerusalem Post