Khirbet Kefireh

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Khirbet Kefireh's site plan, extensively surveyed by Vriezen in the 1970s.
Khirbet Kefireh's site plan, extensively surveyed by Vriezen in the 1970s.

Khirbet Kefireh (alt. sp., Kefire, el-Kefirah; coordinates 1602.1375) is a modern town just north of Katana, Israel on a hilltop covering about 4-5 acres. It appears in the Survey of Western Palestine map compiled in the 1870s, and most Bible dictionaries identify it with Chephirah.[1][2]

Karel Vriezen extensively surveyed the site during September of 1970, June and July of 1973, and again in March and July of 1974. The site contains two major sections: an upper citadel on the east side near its elevation peak (774 meters), and a lower village on the west side. Additionally, three graves were examined about 150 meters to the northeast of the site.[3]

Vriezen found evidence for major architectural changes dating to the Iron-II and Byzantine eras, and pottery shards spanning the Early Bronze, Iron I, Iron II, Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine. Highlights include a jar handle bearing a LMLK seal impression,[4] and another handle bearing a pre-fired plus (+) mark.[5]

The walls of the site included nine towers, three gates, and an entrance. A cistern and a quarry were found enclosed within the city walls.

Excavations are no longer possible due to the presence of modern habitations.

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: "It is represented by the modern Kefireh, to the Southwest of Gibeon, and North of Karyat el-`Anab. It stands on high ground, with many ancient remains."
  2. ^ Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible: "The city has been identified with modern Khirbet el-Kefireh (160137), ca. 8km. (5 mi.) WSW of el-Jib (Gibeon)."
  3. ^ ZDPV 91, Abb. 2.
  4. ^ ZDPV 91, p. 143.
  5. ^ ZDPV 91, p. 146.

[edit] References

  • Keel, O. and Küchler, M. (1982). Orte und Landschaften der Bibel II. Der Süden, Zürich & Göttingen, 802. 
  • Rainey, Anson F. and Notley, R. Steven (2005). The Sacred Bridge. Carta, 126. 
  • Vriezen, Karel J. H. (1975). "Hirbet Kefire - eine Oberflachenuntersuchung". ZDPV 91:1: 135-58. 
  • Vriezen, K. (1977). "Chronique Archeologique--Khirbet Kefire". Revue Biblique 84:3 (July): 412-6. 

[edit] See also