What is the Black Obelisk?

What is the Black Obelisk?... hero image

In 1846 an English traveler and artist named Austen Henry Layard was digging around the ruins of ancient Nimrud (known as Calah) in northern Iraq. He discovered something amazing, a black limestone obelisk now referred to as “The Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III”. Shalmaneser ruled ancient Assyria around 850 BC. Archaeologists determined that one of the carved images and inscriptions on the obelisk revealed Jehu, the king of Israel bowing before the powerful monarch with his face to the ground. It was the same Jehu that is mentioned in the Bible.

Source:
The Discovery of the Black Obelisk

Related Articles:

What is the Bronze Bust of Augustus? post related image

What is the Bronze Bust of Augustus?

This bust was discovered by archaeologists at Meroe (Modern Sudan) and is currently in the British Museum. It depicts the face of the Roman Emperor Augustus who ordered the census just before the birth of Jesus. This brought the parents of Jesus (Jos...

Read more
Where was the location of the Transfiguration? post related image

Where was the location of the Transfiguration?

Matthew 17:1 – After six days, Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John his brother, and brought them up into a high mountain by themselves. In the 4th century AD a tradition was established that Mount Tabor was the scene of the transfiguration a...

Read more

What were the key events and significance of the Battle of Thermopylae in ancient Greece?

The Battle of Thermopylae stands as one of the most iconic and consequential battles in ancient Greek history. Fought in 480 BCE between an alliance of Greek city-states led by King Leonidas I of Sparta and the Persian Empire under King Xerxes I, thi...

Read more
What Weapons did the Roman Soldier Carry? post related image

What Weapons did the Roman Soldier Carry?

The weapons of a Roman solder included: the gladius (the short, straight, two-edged sword with which he would thrust rather than slash), and this he carried on a belt either from the shoulder or round the waist. He also carried the javelin “pilum...

Read more

How was Jesus’ Name Written?

The name of Jesus, in its original language, was written in Hebrew as יֵשׁוּעַ (Yeshua) or יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (Yehoshua). In the New Testament, the name appears in Greek as Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous). The specific form used in the Bible depen...

Read more

Who Were the Main Powers in Italy Before the Roman Empire?

The main powers in ancient Rome were Carthage, Greece, and Etrura. The Italian Peninsula is located right in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea. Rome is located right in the heart of Italy on a large plain known as Latium. Source: Latium and Geo...

Read more

What was the Hostile Plough?

The Hostile Plough was used by the Romans to utterly destroy a city by burying and removing it. When the Romans were brought to wrath it was customary to drive a plough over the walls of a conquered city to signify that the ground on which it stood s...

Read more
Who Appointed Pontius Pilate Procurator of Judea? post related image

Who Appointed Pontius Pilate Procurator of Judea?

Only the Jewish historian Josephus provides us with what little information is known about Pilate’s life before 26 A.D. when Tiberius Caesar appointed him procurator of Judea. The sketchy information suggests that Pilate was probably an Italian bor...

Read more

What was an Alabaster Jar?

In the Bible, an alabaster jar refers to a type of container made from alabaster stone. Alabaster is a soft, white or translucent mineral often used in ancient times for crafting vessels or containers for various purposes. One notable mention of an a...

Read more

What were the major achievements of the ancient Greeks in art and architecture?

The ancient Greeks made remarkable achievements in art and architecture, leaving a lasting impact on Western civilization. Some of their major accomplishments include: Sculpture: Greek sculpture reached unparalleled heights, with an emphasis on ideal...

Read more
What was a Roman Legion? post related image

What was a Roman Legion?

Augustus, the first emperor of Rome had in his empire 25 legions of approximately 6,000 soldiers each. A legion was formed of 10 Cohorts (540 men in each Cohort). Each Cohort was subdivided into 6 Centuries (90 men formed a Century), and each legion ...

Read more

How did the ancient Greeks and Romans practice medicine and treat illnesses?

The ancient Greeks and Romans left a lasting legacy in the field of medicine, with their innovative theories and treatments that shaped the foundations of Western medicine. Drawing upon a combination of empirical observations, philosophical insights,...

Read more
Did the Ancient Assyrians Impale their Victims? post related image

Did the Ancient Assyrians Impale their Victims?

History records that the Assyrians were ruthless to any enemy that tried to withstand them. One inscription from an Assyrian King Tiglath-Pileser records: “I built a wall before the great gates of the city; I flayed the chief men of the rebels, and...

Read more
What was the Village of Bethany? post related image

What was the Village of Bethany?

Bethany was a small village a couple miles east of Jerusalem. It is located on the eastern side of the Mount of Olives on the road to Jericho. It was a lush green area with plenty of Olive trees. Many travelers would come to rest at Bethany if the ci...

Read more
How many were in Jerusalem for the Passover of Jesus? post related image

How many were in Jerusalem for the Passover of Jesus?

The main sources available estimate that the population of those living in Jerusalem during the time of Jesus was probably around 80,000 to 100,000 citizens. But during the Passover hundreds of thousands of Jews from the Diaspora would pour into Jeru...

Read more

Where did the Israelites Cross the Red Sea?

According to the biblical account in Exodus 14, the Israelites crossed the Red Sea during their escape from Egypt. When they reached the shores of the sea, Moses stretched out his hand, and God caused a strong east wind to blow all night, parting the...

Read more

What was the Wilderness of Judea?

The Wilderness of Judea, mentioned in the Bible, refers to a geographical region located east of Jerusalem and extending toward the Dead Sea. It is characterized by its rugged terrain, barren landscapes, and limited vegetation, making it a challengin...

Read more

How did the ancient Egyptians build the pyramids?

The pyramids of Egypt stand as iconic symbols of ancient Egyptian civilization, representing remarkable architectural and engineering achievements. Constructed as tombs for pharaohs, these colossal structures continue to captivate the world with thei...

Read more

Read The Bible

About

Welcome to Free Bible: Unearthing the Past, Illuminating the Present! Step into a world where ancient history and biblical narratives intertwine, inviting you to explore the rich tapestry of human civilization.

Discover the captivating stories of forgotten empires, delve into the customs and cultures of our ancestors, and witness the remarkable findings unearthed by dedicated archaeologists.

Immerse yourself in a treasure trove of knowledge, where the past comes alive and illuminates our understanding of the present.

Join us on this extraordinary journey through time, where curiosity is rewarded and ancient mysteries await your exploration.

Recent posts

Main Menu

Ancient Questions

  1. Was the Caspian Sea Mentioned in the Bible?
  2. What did the Crown of Thorns Symbolize?
  3. What was a Watchtower?
  4. How did Beards look in Ancient Times?
  5. Who was the Roman Emperor when Jesus was Born?
  6. How did the ancient Egyptians build the pyramids?
  7. How Did the Ancient Sun Dial Work?
  8. How was Jesus’ Name Written?
  9. Is the Black Sea Mentioned in the Bible?
  10. What Historical Sources do we have for the Life of Alexander the Great?

Bible Study Questions

  1. An In-Depth Analysis of the New English Translation (NET): Aspects, Comparisons, Impact, and Implications for Bible Interpretation
  2. The Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE): Specific Aspects, Comparison to Other Catholic Translations, Influence on Catholic Liturgy, and Challenges of Modernizing the Text
  3. How do we approach and study prophetic literature in the Bible?
  4. Young’s Literal Translation (YLT): Specific Examples of Its Literal Approach and Comparison to Other Literal Translations
  5. How do we navigate and respond to biblical teachings that may be challenging or difficult?
  6. Comparing the New International Version (NIV) and the New International Version UK (NIVUK): Differences, Examples, and Comparisons with British English Bible Translations
  7. What is the name of Ramallah in the Bible?
  8. Exploring the Evangelical Heritage Version (EHV): Aspects, Comparisons, Impact on Lutheran Worship, and Theological Distinctives
  9. A Detailed Historical Analysis of the American Standard Version (ASV): Comparison to the King James Version, Influence on Later Translations, and Evaluation of Strengths and Weaknesses
  10. Understanding the Easy-to-Read Version (ERV): Language Examples and Comparison with Other Bible Translations