In 1979, an Israeli archaeologists discovered two tiny silver scrolls in a burial cave at Ketef Hinnom, near Jerusalem, which contains some of the oldest surviving biblical wording ever found/seen.
The discovery of the Tiny Silver Scrolls, was made in year 1979 during an excavation led by Israeli archaeologist Gabriel Barkay. The fragile silver amulets dated back to around late seventh or early sixth century BC, making them roughly 2,600 years of age. Their inscriptions are written in ancient Hebrew and contain words corresponding to the Priestly Blessing recorded in Numbers 6:24–26: “The LORD bless you and keep you.”
The Gabriel Barkay discovery is particularly significant because the scrolls itself predate the Dead Sea Scrolls by several centuries. They provide important archaeological evidence that this biblical blessing was already being written and as well used in ancient Judah long even before the birth of the son of man, Jesus.
But take note, the silver scrolls are not complete copies of the biblical Book of Numbers, portions of their inscriptions closely correspond to the biblical text. Researchers therefore regard the Ketef Hinnom scrolls as the earliest known surviving textual witnesses to passages of the Hebrew Bible.
The discovery also offers a remarkable glimpse into the faith and religious practices of people living in Jerusalem more than 2,500 years ago. Words that Christians and Jews continue to read and recite today were already being preserved in written form centuries before the New Testament era.
For many believers, the ancient inscription provides a powerful reminder of the enduring history of Scripture: “The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you.”
