Biblical site where Jesus healed a blind man excavated for public view: “Affirms Scripture”

JERUSALEM — The Israel Antiquities Authority, the Israel National Parks Authority and the City of David Foundation announced days before the New Year that the Pool of Siloam, a biblical site cherished by Christians and Jews, will be open to the public for the first time in 2,000 years in the near future.

“The Pool of Siloam excavations are very important to Christians around the world,” American pastor John Hagee, founder and president of Christians United for Israel, told Fox News Digital. “It was at this site that Jesus healed the blind man (John:9), and it was at this site that, 2000 years ago, Jewish pilgrims purified themselves before entering the Second Temple.

“The Pool of Siloam and the Pilgrimage Route, both located in the City of David, are among the most inspiring archaeological claims in the Bible.

“Christians are deeply blessed by the work of the City of David and Israel’s enduring commitment to ensuring religious freedom for all who visit and live in the Holy Land, especially Jerusalem – the undivided capital of Israel.”

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Ze’ev Orenstein, director of international affairs for the City of David Foundation in Jerusalem, told Fox News Digital: “One of the most important sites affirming the biblical heritage of Jerusalem – not simply as a matter of faith, but as a matter of fact – with significance to billions of people around the world, will be made fully accessible for the first time in 2,000 years.”

The Pool of Siloam is located in the southern part of the City of David and in the area of ​​the Jerusalem Walls National Park.

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A small part of the pool, completely excavated, has been accessible to the public for several years. The vast majority of the pool is being excavated and will either be opened piecemeal or once the entire site is unearthed. The archaeological project of complete excavation of the pool will last a few years. There is a space plan for visitors to the pool to view the excavations in progress.

“Despite continued efforts by the United Nations and Palestinian leaders to erase Jerusalem’s heritage, in a few years the millions of people who visit the City of David each year will literally be able to walk in the footsteps of the Bible, connecting to the roots of their heritage and their identity,” noted Orenstein.

The eighth-century BC Siloam inscription found in Hezekiah’s Tunnel describes in early Hebrew scripture the drama of digging the tunnel.
(Zeev Radovan City of David Archives)

The pool was first built about 2,700 years ago as part of Jerusalem’s water system in the 8th century BC. Construction took place during the reign of King Hezekiah as a city in the Bible in the Book of Kings II, 20:20, according to both Israeli agencies and the City of David Foundation.

According to estimates, the Pool of Siloam went through many stages of construction and reached the size of 1¼ acres.

“When I think of this news, I think of another phrase from the Hebrew Bible, ‘My ears have heard of you, but now my eyes have seen you,'” said Reverend Johnnie Moore, president of the Leaders’ Congress. Christians. Fox News Digital.

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“This news means that one of the most important archaeological discoveries in history will soon be able to be seen by visitors from all over the world. It will confirm everything they believe. Having faith is part of worshiping God, but faith alone is not necessary to believe. . There are historical facts attesting to the truth of Scripture.”

Moore, a member of the Advisory Council of the Anti-Semitism Movement, added: “In the Pool of Siloam we find evidence of history preserved for us, revealed at the right time. This is a truly historic event. Theologically it affirms scripture, geographically it affirms history, and politically it affirms Israel’s indisputable and unrivaled connection to Jerusalem. Some findings are theoretical. This one is undeniable. It is proof of the history of the Bible and its people, Israel.

North Perimeter of the Pool of Siloam
(Koby Harati, City of David Archives)

A stroke of luck revealed the pool in 2004 when infrastructure work by the Hagihon Water Company exposed some of the pool steps. The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA), under the supervision of Professors Roni Reich and Eli Shukron, has launched an investigation. As a result, the northern perimeter, as well as a small portion of the eastern perimeter of the Pool of Siloam, was uncovered.

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“The perimeter of the pool was constructed as a series of steps, allowing bathers to sit down and immerse themselves in the waters of the pool,” according to the IAA.

Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion said, “The Pool of Siloam in the City of David National Park in Jerusalem is a site of historic, national and international significance. After many years of anticipation, we will soon have the merit of being able to discover this important site. and make it accessible to the millions of visitors who visit Jerusalem every year.”