The Bible in the Pergamon Museum in Berlin

The most fascinating thing about the Pegamon Museum in Berlin is how the objects there are connected to the Bible. In this page I will try to share the top things that not only relate to the Bible, but confirm it’s authenticity. I will also share things that bring Bible accounts to light and make them more realistic.

1. The Ishtar Gate

This is the crown jewel of the museum and has much significance to the Bible. It was likely seen by many Israelite captives, including Daniel himself! It was built by Nebuchadnezzar around 575 BCE.

The walls were disassembled in Iraq and moved to this museum early in the 20th century. The beautiful and colorful glazed bricks retell the glory of Babylon.

Original gate brought to Berlin from Babylon

This was one of the gates through which one could enter Babylon. What is more impressive is that which is not seen. Babylon was so fortified that this wall extended 14 meters (45 feet) underground! It accounts for the confidence and pride that Nebuchadnezzar exclaimed when he said, “Is this not Babylon the Great that I myself have built!” at Daniel 4:30.

It also accounts for the confidence that King Belshazar felt on the night that Babylon fell to the Medes and Persians. (Daniel 5:1-5)

Leading up to the gate is the processional way. It’s a long hallway leading to the gate and has the decorations leading up to the gate on either side. Here is just one side of the hallway. 

Processional way of Babylon in Berlin

Below is a model of what the Processional Way and Ishtar Gate originally looked like. This model is set up at the base of the gate.

Model of Ishtar Gate and the Processional Way as it was in ancient Babylon

2. Jehoiachin’s Rations Tablets

You might miss it if you were not looking for it. It is poorly labelled and only in German.

Among about 300 tablets found near the Ishtar gate, one tablet supports the Bible account in remarkable detail. This tablet names King Jehoiachin of ancient Judah and dates from the 6th century BCE.

Jehoiachin’s rations tablet. Mentions “Ya’u-kīnu, king of the land of Yahudu” as receiving oil.

This piece contains writing that confirms the Bible in detail.

First it mentions King Jehoiachin as a captive in Babylon to whom rations were given. This is exactly as the Bible describes in 2 Ki 25:27-30. What is more, these tablets also mention giving them to Jehoiachin’s sons as mentioned in 1 Chronicles 3:17,18. Amazing details that corroborate the Bible account.

3. Victory Stele of Esarhaddon

This is my personal favorite.

Upon entering the museum, this is one of the first pieces on display. It is called the Victory Stele of Esarhaddon and commemorates his victory over Pharoah Taharqa of Egypt.

Victory Stele of Esarhaddon

And here is a closeup of the explanation at the base of the stele.

The above stele shows two subordinate rulers in front of Esarhaddon. What is interesting is that many think that one of the kings is King Manasseh. Here are the reasons for this.

1. Esarhaddon defeated king Mansasseh in 671. He was one of 22 kings defeated. Therefore these two figures at the feet of Esarhaddon must be 2 of those 22.
2. This stele specifically depicts Esarhaddon’s victory over Egypt. During this campaign, Manasseh and Pharoah Tirhaqa were defeated. Being part of this campaign makes these two subordinate kings likely candidates of these depictions on the stele, both of whom were archenemies of Assyria (2 Ki 19:8,9)
3. The verse at 2 Chronicles 33:11 says that Manasseh was led back with “hooks”. This stele shows ropes going down to the conquered rulers with hooks, likely attaching to their lips. Just as the scripture said.
4. There is a visual similarity of the standing subjugated king to another King depicted by the Assyrians – King Jehu. The Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III shows him with a similar crown to that depicted in this stele. Notice the pic below.

Of course we can’t be dogmatic about this, but it’s nice to consider the possibility.

4. The Liver to Fortell the Future

Ezekiel 21:21 tells of a Babylonian King that would fortell the future based on what was seen in the liver. Important political decisions were made as well as decisions in the battle field. The piece below is a liver that has interpretations to base these decisions on.

Exodus 21:21 tells of the king of Babylon using the liver to make decisions for battle. A confirmation of the thinking process of kings in those days.

5. The Code of Hammurabi

Lastly, this one spawned a personal research project because I have encountered this one in the ministry from time to time.

Code of Hamurrabi

Some people say that many of the laws written by Moses were actually already written hundreds of years earlier on this statue.

I found a number of articles that explain the reasons, but thought this one explained it best. There is something similar in the Hatay Archaeology Museum as well.

Summary

The Pergamon Museum is rated by some sources as the third best museum in the world to visit next to the British Museum and The Louvre. I highly recommend anyone to visit and enjoy these items connected with the Bible. And please be sure to visit some of our other articles about places we have visited in Turkey. Enjoy!

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