Jeremiah’s Opponents

Two small bullae (seal impressions) found in the course of Eilat Mazar’s City of David excavations are bringing the Book of Jeremiah back to life.

The first, which surfaced in King David’s palace during her opening season, bears the name “Yehuchal [Jehucal or Jucal in English] ben Shelemyahu [Shelemiah].” The second was found in the First Temple period strata underneath Nehemiah’s Northern Tower, just a few yards away from the first, and reads “Gedalyahu [Gedaliah] ben Pashḥur.”