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.

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The Discovery of the Black Obelisk

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Ancient Questions

  1. What were the main causes of the fall of the Roman Empire?
  2. What were the Primary Sources for Assyrian History?
  3. What was the Hostile Plough?
  4. Did Augustus Build a Temple at the Site of Caesarea Philippi?
  5. How many were in Jerusalem for the Passover of Jesus?
  6. How was Jesus’ Name Written?
  7. How did Beards look in Ancient Times?
  8. What is the Bronze Bust of Augustus?
  9. Who Appointed Pontius Pilate Procurator of Judea?
  10. Did the Ancient Assyrians Impale their Victims?

Bible Study Questions

  1. What are the key teachings of Jesus regarding love and compassion?
  2. The Contemporary English Version (CEV): A Detailed Analysis
  3. What are the key lessons and themes in the book of Proverbs?
  4. The New Life Version (NLV): Simplified Language and Comparisons with Other Easy-to-Read Bible Translations
  5. Understanding the Easy-to-Read Version (ERV): Language Examples and Comparison with Other Bible Translations
  6. How do we reconcile the existence of evil with the idea of a loving God?
  7. An In-Depth Analysis of the New English Translation (NET): Aspects, Comparisons, Impact, and Implications for Bible Interpretation
  8. The Orthodox Jewish Bible (OJB): Specific Aspects, Comparison to Other Jewish Translations, Impact on Jewish-Christian Dialogue, and Challenges of Yiddish and Hasidic Expressions
  9. Exploring the Evangelical Heritage Version (EHV): Aspects, Comparisons, Impact on Lutheran Worship, and Theological Distinctives
  10. Exploring Phillips’ Translation Style: A Historical Perspective and Comparison to Modern English Translations