Discovery of a Winged ‘Genie’ or ‘Demon’ Seal Sheds Light on Jerusalem’s Historical and Cultural Tapestry
Jerusalem — In a groundbreaking archaeological discovery, an ancient stone seal featuring a winged ‘genie’ or ‘demon’ has been unearthed in Jerusalem. This remarkable find not only hints at the existence of a warrior mentioned in the Bible but also underscores the rich, multi-national culture of ancient Jerusalem.
The stone seals of antiquity often served as identification markers, and this particular seal belonged to a man of high rank in the holy city approximately 2,700 years ago.
Unique find
This is the first time a seal with a ‘genie’ or ‘demon’ motif has been discovered in Jerusalem. The seal bears an inscription in Paleo-Hebrew script, which reads “LeYehoʼezer ben Hoshʼayahu.” Both names, Yehoʼezer and Hoshʼayahu, are mentioned in the Bible, adding an intriguing layer to the find.
The name Yehoʼezer corresponds to “Yoʼezer,” one of King David’s warriors who ruled Israel. The second name, Hoshʼayahu, appears in the book of Jeremiah as ʼAzariah ben Hoshʼaya, a parallel version of the name.
Historical and cultural significance
Ronny Reich from the University of Haifa, a research partner, suggested in a press release, “It is not impossible that perhaps it was Yehoʼezer himself who engraved the names on the object.”
The seal also highlights Jerusalem’s cultural diversity, a facet well-documented in the Bible. During the first temple period, the Assyrian Empire ruled Jerusalem, and the winged figure on the seal is indicative of Neo-Assyrian art from the 9th-7th centuries BCE.
The discovery site
The seal was found near the Southern Wall of Temple Mount in the City of David National Park. A hole drilled through the piece suggests it was possibly worn on a string.
Demon or genie?
The intricate design of the seal, which required a high level of artistic skill, points to its use as an amulet by an official named Hoshʼayahu, part of the Kingdom of Judah’s administration. Using a demon for personal identification likely “attests to his feeling that he belonged to the broader cultural context,” said excavation director Yuval Baruch.
“This is an extremely rare and unusual discovery,” remarked IAA Archaeologist and Assyriologist Filip Vukosavovic.
“The seal, made of black stone, is one of the most beautiful ever discovered in excavations in ancient Jerusalem,” the researchers said. They noted that the two parts of the biblical first name are written in reverse order to the seal owner’s name, while the second name appears in its abbreviated form.
This writing form aligns with the name inscribed on the seal, offering evidence that it was made during the first temple period. Researchers added that after Hoshʼayahu’s death, his son Yehoʼezer inherited the seal and carved their names on either side of the demon engraved on it.
This extraordinary find not only enriches our understanding of ancient Jerusalem but also provides a tangible connection to the storied past of a city that has long been at the heart of historical and religious narratives.