West Semitic Seals

The collection of West Semitic seals, dating from 8th to the 6th centuries BCE, throw light on various fields relating to the history of the Land of Israel and neighboring cultures, such as the development of writing, language, names, administration, society, religion, and art. In addition to Hebrew seals, the collection also includes Phoenician, Ammonite, Moabite, and Aramaic seals. The widespread diffusion of Hebrew seals in comparison with all the other West Semitic seals is testimony to the ability of many in Israelite society to read and write. The most important of the Hebrew seals are those bearing titles indicating the rank and function of the seal's owner in the royal administration. Great significance is given to the seven seals in the collection that bear woman's names. Seals that belong to women are very rare. They are proof of the social status and legal rights that women in the West Semitic society enjoyed during biblical times.
A seal made of hard colored stone, depicting a proto-Ionic 
capital, typical of First Temple public buildings. 
Below, the inscription "To Padajah, Son of the King".
From the year 597 BCE.


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