Watch Jerusalem

Just how accurate is the biblical description of near-1,000-year pre-Flood lifespans? Is it mere myth? On today’s program, host Christopher Eames describes fascinating archaeological records known as the Sumerian King Lists, and what they have to say about antediluvian longevity. He also sums up his latest two-month stint in Jerusalem, assisting Dr. Eilat Mazar in publishing finds from the recent excavations of the Ophel Cave.

In 1999, a settlement called “Judahtown” (or Al-Yahudu in Babylonian) was discovered on administrative tablets from 2,500 years ago. Over the next few years, dozens more legal documents were found that originated in that town, providing ample documentation of Jewish life in Babylon following the fall of Jerusalem. On today’s program, host Brent Nagtegaal shows how these mundane documents add further life to the biblical history of this time.

JERUSALEM - On Wednesday, Saudi Arabia decided it would no longer send its massive oil tankers through the Bab el-Mandeb, the narrow passageway at the bottom of the Red Sea and one of the main transit points for international goods. This comes after two giant Saudi tankers were attacked this week by the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels. On today’s program, host Brent Nagtegaal shows how Saudi Arabia’s decision hails a new era of Iranian dominance in the Red Sea and should be a ringing wake-up call to Europe.

Israel is now the Jewish State. A landmark bill passed in the Knesset on Wednesday night made it official that Israel is the “national home of the Jewish people.” While this is obviously well-known, establishing the Jewish character as part of the basic law underscores Israel’s Jewish roots. On today’s program, host Brent Nagtegaal discusses the new law in light of the fateful decision in 1948 to call the Jewish State Israel, instead of the other options that were on the table.

Excavations at an archaeological site just north of the Galilee have revealed a massive gate from the time of King David. On today’s program, host Brent Nagtegaal discusses the significance of the find as it relates to the Geshurites who inhabited the region during the time of King David. He also considers the importance of the site in relation to the ongoing debate over Davidic historicity.

Dr. Scott Stripling and his massive team recently completed their second season of excavation at Shiloh. This site located in the very heartland of ancient Israel was the home of the Tabernacle for nearly 400 years. On today’s program, we catch up with Dr. Stripling and discuss the excavation as well as some of this seasons new findings, including an ornate pomegranate, which may provide evidence of the sacred nature of the site.

On today’s program host Brent Nagtegaal interviews archaeologist Christopher Eames and discusses the post excavation work of the Ophel Excavations. They also discuss the article Chris recently wrote entitled, “The Bible’s Buried Cities: Hebron.”

Jerusalem – Earlier this week, Jordanian tanks were spotted heading to the Syrian border just across from where Iranian fighters are operational. At the same time, German Chancellor Angela Merkel traveled to Amman to confirm Berlin’s commitment to Jordan’s defense. On today’s program, host Brent Nagtegaal discusses the significance of the German/Jordan alliance, in the face of the Iranian threat.

Later in the show, he also looks at a recent study from Cornell University that takes a shot at the historicity of the ancient biblical kingdom of David and Solomon, and whether this latest scientific study provides cause for doubt.

One of the chief lessons from the history of Isaiah and Hezekiah was how the king saved the nation by listening to the prophet’s counsel. On today’s program, host Brent Nagtegaal looks back to the establishment of kingship in ancient Israel, and shows how the prophet/king relationship was essential to national success.

JERUSALEM – With just one week till the opening of the archaeological exhibit “Seals of King Hezekiah and Isaiah Discovered,” we use today’s program to update you on the final preparations for the exhibit and the live reception in Jerusalem. We also look back on an earlier interview with archaeologist Christopher Eames where he discussed what has been found so far relating to King Hezekiah’s time.