Beit Loya (Horvat Beit Loya) is a small archaeological site in the Judean foothills with two remarkable features: an ancient synagogue with a stunning mosaic floor, and a burial cave with the oldest known inscription of the name “Jerusalem” in Hebrew, dating to the 7th or 8th century BCE.
Jerusalem Inscription
In a burial cave at the site, archaeologists found an inscription scratched into the limestone wall that reads, in ancient Hebrew script: “YHWH is the God of the whole earth; the mountains of Judah belong to him, to the God of Jerusalem.” The inscription, dating to the First Temple period, is the oldest known reference to Jerusalem by name outside of the Bible. It was written by someone who believed that the God worshipped in Jerusalem was the God of all creation, a theological statement that aligns with the reforms of Kings Hezekiah and Josiah.
Synagogue Mosaic
The Byzantine-period synagogue at Beit Loya contains a beautiful mosaic floor with a menorah, a shofar, a lulav, and an inscription in Hebrew and Aramaic. The mosaic is well preserved and the colors are vivid. A nearby church from the same period has its own mosaic floor, and the proximity of the two buildings suggests a community where Jews and Christians lived as neighbors.
Mormon Connection
The Jerusalem inscription at Beit Loya has attracted interest from members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons), who see it as evidence supporting their belief in the historical accuracy of the Book of Mormon’s references to ancient Israelite inscriptions. The connection has brought LDS visitors and scholars to the site.
Visit with Hoshen Tours
Beit Loya is a small site with outsized significance. Hoshen Tours includes it for groups interested in ancient inscriptions and the earliest references to Jerusalem.