084 Jericho Bone Inlay

Museum Description: Decorative Bone Inlay

Room: 57/Case: 7/Number: WA 138899

Scripture: 2 Kings 2:4

These are from the ancient city of Jericho.  The account of Joshua and Rahab is perhaps the most famous concerning this city, but when Elisha took over from Elijah, he was also in Jericho.  In the time of Jesus, it was the location where Zacchaeus the tiny tax collector climbed a mulberry tree.

Jericho is said to be the oldest city in the world.  We get interesting insight into two scriptures that first appear to contradict each other.  When Jesus healed a blind man, Mark 10:46 says he was coming into Jericho, but in Matthew 20:29 it says he was coming out of Jericho.  Excavations have shown there were actually two cities of Jericho, old and new.  Jesus was evidently leaving one and entering the other when he performed the miracle.  With only one account, he could have been at any point entering or leaving the city, but using them both we know exactly where he was.  Other similar or related artefacts are on display in The British Museum.