Kuntillet Ajrud
Kuntillet ʿ Adschrud (also ʿ Aǧrûd or Ajrûd; lonely hill of water sources; abbreviated KAGR, or Hebrew Horvat Teman ) is located an archaeological site on the Sinai Peninsula, about 50 km south of El- Quseme.
Archaeological excavations
After the occupation of the Sinai by Israel due to the Six-Day War was unearthed an Iron Age plant from the Institute of Archaeology of Tel Aviv University in 1975 and 1976 on the plateau under the direction of Ze'ev Meshel, containing about 850-750 BC was used. The character of the system is controversial. Perhaps there is a rest stop on the way from Kadesh Barnea to Eilat. By archaeologists and theologians was felt partly responsible, there had been a sanctuary, but it does no altars or another have been found, which could support this theory. At the entrance two pithoi were found with inscriptions and drawings, the basis of which the place was known.
The pictures of Kuntillet ʿ Adschrud
On Pithos A woman is shown sitting on a throne and Lyra plays next two Bes, dwarf Egyptian deities. Even animals are mapped to the pitcher, among other things, a cow with a calf, two ibex and a lion. The style of the drawings is not uniform, suggesting that several people have painted the pithos. There is an inscription, of which it is assumed that they can not be seen in connection with the pictures on a Bes. On Pithos B several people are seen at a ceremony.
The texts of Kuntillet ʿ Adschrud
The inscriptions on the pithoi mention a jhwh SmRn (YHWH of Samaria) and jhwh tmn (YHWH of Teman ). Both are each set in relationship to Asherah. The lyrics are written in ancient Hebrew script.
- Stands on pithos A:
Translation: It says ' ......: Speak to Jehalle ... and to Jo'asa ... and I bless you with / before YHVH of Samaria and his Asherah.
- On Pithos B two inscriptions are to be found:
Translation: It speaks Amarjaw: Say to my lord: Are you okay? I bless you in / before YHWH of Teman and his Asherah. May He bless and protect you and be with my Lord ...
Translation: ... when / before YHWH of Teman and his Asherah ... whatever he will ask of someone, he granted it ... and YHWH gives him according to his intention.
The texts thus refer to different local YHWH cults. The meaning of the phrase " his Asherah " sparked a debate about whether YHWH had a female partner deity or what was in this case to understand under the name Asherah.