Image Details

Avraham Hai

Among remarkable finds recovered at Kuntillet ‘Ajrud was a fragment from a large storage jar bearing a drawing and an inscription (shown here, compare with artist’s rendition of storage jar fragment inscription). They have been the subject of heated debate since their discovery. The inscription reads, “I have blessed you by Yahweh of Samaria and his asherah.” Some scholars have suggested that Yahweh is represented at left on the fragment, with the goddess Asherah depicted either at center or at right. Others argue that both the figure on the left and at center is the Egyptian god Bes in his typical arms-akimbo pose and topped by a feathered headdress; the figure at right, according to this theory, is merely a lyre player.