Conny Waters – AncientPages.com  – A site, Horvat Qeiyafa in the Valley of Elah, which is linked to one of the most famous biblical stories – the story of David and Goliath – has been visited by President Isaac Herzog and his wife Michal.

“…Some claim the city located at Horvat Qeiyafa as the biblical city of Shaaryaim, meaning “double gated,” mentioned in the list of cities of the Kingdom of Judah – after David’s victory over Goliath when the Philistines retreated through Shaarayim and Ekron (1 Sam. 17).”  PH๏τo: Yuli Schwartz, Israel Antiquities Authority

The President was accompanied by the Acting Director-General of the Nature and Parks Authority, Raya Soraki, and the Director-General of the Israel Antiquities Authority, Eli Escozido, who presented the President with a miniature model of a unique ritual item!

Horvat Qeiyafa, located near the Valley of Elah, excels in great archeological and historical importance and outstanding scenic visibility.

The site housed an ancient fortress city during the Kingdom of Judah, which was excavated for seven years by archaeologists Prof. Yosef Garfinkel of the Hebrew University and Saar Ganor of the Israel Antiquities Authority.

The site, unique in its high level of preservation, revealed the oldest Hebrew inscription in the world and other unique finds from the 10th century BC. Interestingly, this model is similar to the biblical description of the First Temple.

“Interestingly, this model (a unique ritual item) is similar to the biblical description
of the First Temple. Dr. Amit Reem, the Israel Antiquities Authority Jerusalem Regional
Archaeologist, had a miniature copy of the model made and presented it to President Herzog
as a souvenir from his visit.” Image credit: Israel Antiquities Authority

Dr. Amit Reem, the Israel Antiquities Authority Jerusalem Regional Archaeologist, had a miniature copy of the model made and presented it to President Herzog as a souvenir from his visit.

It is interesting to know that some claim the city located at Horvat Qeiyafa as the biblical city of Shaaryaim, meaning “double gated,” mentioned in the list of cities of the Kingdom of Judah – after David’s victory over Goliath when the Philistines retreated through Shaarayim and Ekron (1 Sam. 17).

Khirbet Qeiyafa (also known as Elah Fortress and in Hebrew as Horbat Qayafa is the site of an ancient fortress city overlooking the Elah Valley, The site dates back to the first half of the 10th century BC.

In 2007, archaeologists uncovered the ruins of the fortress located in the vicinity of the Israeli city of Beit Shemesh, only 30 km (20 mi) from Jerusalem. The area covers approximately 2.5 ha (6 acres) and is encircled by a 700-meter-long (2,300 ft) city wall constructed of huge stones weighing up to eight tons each.

Following discoveries in the area, the site’s cultural importance, and the high potential for its development as a first-class heritage site – it was declared as a national park.

Now, it is in the process of being preserved as part of a complex that includes the Valley of Elah and the biblical mounds around it – the scene of the story of the Battle of David and Goliath.

More images from the visit: – here

Written by Conny Waters – AncientPages.com Staff Writer