Archaeology - Proving the Truth of Scripture - Part 8

Joshua’s Ancient Altar on Mt. Ebal

For centuries, skeptics have claimed that the Bible’s account of Joshua’s conquering of the land of Canaan was only a legend. Then archaeologists uncovered a massive stone altar on Mount Ebal in Israel that closely matches the description of the altar Joshua was commanded to build after Israel entered the Promised Land. The site features uncut stones, a ramp instead of stairs, layers of sacrificial ash and animal bones, and other details that align remarkably well with the biblical account in Deuteronomy 27 and Joshua 8. Moses commanded, “Therefore it shall be, when you have crossed over the Jordan, that on Mount Ebal you shall set up these stones, which I command you today, and you shall whitewash them with lime. And there you shall build an altar to the LORD your God, an altar of stones; you shall not use an iron tool on them. You shall build with whole stones the altar of the LORD your God, and offer burnt offerings on it to the LORD your God. You shall offer peace offerings, and shall eat there, and rejoice before the LORD your God. And you shall write very plainly on the stones all the words of this law” (Deut. 27:4-8). Scripture also declares, “Now Joshua built an altar to the LORD God of Israel in Mount Ebal” (Joshua 8:30).