Ophel

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The ophel south of the temple wall on a historical map from 1888
Historical map from 1903 with the ophel

Ophel ( Hebrew עופל) or ophlas means fortified hill or area of ​​rise . It is the biblical term for an elevated part of a settlement or city.

In the Bible, Ophel is referred to two settlements:

The term can be viewed as equivalent to the Greek term acropolis .

The Ophel in Jerusalem

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

The Ophel was already settled in the Copper Age (approx. 3500 BC), which means that broken fragments and house foundations from the early third millennium BC. Prove. The city of Jebus was probably founded at this time.

The name Ophel is mentioned for the first time in the 2nd book of the Chronicle, where it is said that Jotham (742-735) built a lot "on the wall of Ophel". Later Manasse (708–642) built “a wall that enclosed the Ophel and made it very high”.

After the capture by the Babylonian army of Nebuchadnezzar II in 587 BC. The city walls were razed. In the book of Nehemiah it is reported that after the return from the Babylonian exile (597-539), the temple servants lived on the Ophel , who helped repair the destroyed city wall.

Individual evidence

  1. NET BIBLE Study Dictionary
  2. ( 2 Kings 5:24  EU )
  3. classic.net.bible.org by the Jebusites
  4. 2 Chr 27.3  EU
  5. 2 Chr 33.14  EU
  6. ( Neh 3.26-27  EU and Neh 11.21  EU )

Coordinates: 31 ° 46 ′ 31.2 "  N , 35 ° 14 ′ 10.4"  E