Ophel

Ophel (Hebrew: עופל ) or Ophlas means fortified hill or rising area. He is the biblical term for an increased underlying part of a settlement or city.

In the Bible Ophel is based on two settlements:

  • The area south of the Jerusalem Temple Wall of the Temple Mount
  • Samaria, the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Israel

The term can be regarded as equivalent to the Greek term Acropolis.

The Ophel in Jerusalem

From today's southern wall of Jerusalem's Temple Mount from a narrow ridge running south to the Pool of Siloam. The northern part of this ridge is the Jerusalem Ophel, the southern part of the City of David.

The Ophel was already (about 3500 BC) inhabited in the Chalcolithic period, which finds shards and house foundations from the early third millennium BC show. This period was probably first founded the city of Jebus.

The name Ophel is mentioned for the first time in the second Book of Chronicles, where it is said that Jotham ( 742-735 ) is much " on the wall of Ophel " built. Later built Manasseh ( 708-642 ) " a wall that the enclosed Ophel, and made them very highly. "

After the conquest by the Babylonian army of Nebuchadnezzar II in 587 BC, the city walls were pulled down. In the book of Nehemiah is reported that on the Ophel after returning from the Babylonian Exile ( 597-539 ), the temple servants lived, who participated in the rehabilitation of the destroyed city walls.

Credentials

31.77533335.236222Koordinaten: 31 ° 46 ' 31 " N, 35 ° 14' 10" E

  • Ancient Israeli city
  • Jerusalem
  • Geography (Jerusalem)
  • Mythological place
  • Biblical topic
  • Archaeological sites in Palestine
  • Archaeological sites in Israel
  • Jewish History ( Ancient )
  • Place in the Bible
Samaria (ancient city) Babylonian captivity Jebusite
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