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A remarkably intact 2,000-year-old Jewish ritual bath dating from the time of Jesus has been discovered in Israel – shedding light not only on the life of Christ, but also “illuminating the world of the Bible”, according to a best-selling author and filmmaker.
The mikveh, which dates from the Second Temple period about 2,000 years ago, was recently excavated from Kiryat Gat, an Israeli town about 35 miles southwest of Jerusalem.
The structure was discovered during an archaeological dig. The operation to remove it intact was announced by the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) in September.
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Photos released by authorities show a huge crane lifting the 25-ton mikvah from the archaeological site intact.
Mikvahs, or Jewish ritual baths, are traditionally used for purification.
The ancient mikvah, visible on the right, dates from approximately the time of Jesus Christ, when Jewish ritual baths were traditionally used for purification purposes. (GraphicaArtis/Getty Images; Israel Antiquities Authority)
The bath dates from roughly the time of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, who, as a Jew living during the Second Temple period, likely used mikvehs, although Scripture does not explicitly say that he did so.
The mikveh is evidence that a Second Temple period Jewish settlement, previously unknown to scholars, once existed in the area, officials say.
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Officials also noted that the excavations uncovered stone measuring vessels, which were widely used during the Second Temple period because, under Jewish law, they were not considered susceptible to ritual impurity.
The ancient structure should eventually be returned to the community where it was found.
Mikvahs, like the recently discovered one seen at left, were used for ritual purification during the Second Temple period, when Jesus lived and ministered. (Israel Antiquities Authority; Leemage/Corbis via Getty Images)
“The operation was carried out with the aim of protecting the old structure from damage caused by development work in the area,” the IAA said in a press release.
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“Once construction is complete, the mikveh will be returned to the site and integrated into a public open space that will be at the heart of the new neighborhood.”
The discovery helps bring the biblical world to life, according to Dinesh D’Souza, an author, commentator and Christian apologist who spoke to Fox News Digital about the discovery.
Mikvahs are traditionally used for ritual purification, as shown in a 16th century depiction above. (Cultural Club/Bridgeman via Getty Images)
“It’s quite remarkable because I saw these ritual baths, this mikvah(s),” D’Souza said.
“They are usually quite small.”
He added: “It gives you a vivid picture. In a way, it brings the Bible to life, both the Old Testament and the New, because this mikvah reflects the time of Jesus.”
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He added: “It confirms, describes, illuminates the world of the Bible. That’s one of the things that biblical archeology can do. It can authenticate the historicity of the Bible – not the theology, not the miracles, but its historicity.”
D’Souza’s new book, “The Stones Cry Out,” as well as his documentary of the same name, are the result of extensive research into biblical archaeology. He cited the Pool of Siloam as a significant example of an ancient ritual bath with biblical connections.
Dinesh D’Souza, pictured above, told Fox News Digital that discoveries like the mikveh can help bring the biblical world to life. (Fox News Digital; Israel Antiquities Authority)
“The Pool of Siloam is connected to the temple by the pilgrimage route, a route that Jesus almost certainly walked on,” D’Souza said.
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“For me, as a believer, it’s frightening to stand in these places, to observe them, to walk the pilgrimage path, because in a sense you connect in a very experiential way with these profound artifacts of ancient times.”
The Pool of Siloam is an ancient site with important biblical connections to Jerusalem. D’Souza, top left, is seen standing with Ze’ev Orenstein at the Pool of Siloam. (Provided by Dinesh D’Souza)
D’Souza said he sees broader significance in biblical archaeology, beyond what such discoveries reveal about ancient Israel.
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“Western civilization and America stand on sort of the twin anchors or pillars of Athens and Jerusalem,” he said. “To me, the archeology of Jerusalem supports this pillar of Athens and Jerusalem.”
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“In other words, this concerns not only Israel, but also Western civilization as a whole and America specifically.”
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