(Jewish Daily Bulletin)
Confirmation of the recently announced discovery of the city that Joshua captured in Biblical times, Debir, is contained in a cablegram received here by the Sunday School "Times" from Dr. Melvin Grove Kyle, president of Xenia Theological Seminary, a United Presby-terian institution in Xenia, Ohio. Dr. Kyle, who is now in Palestine, is president of the expeditionary staff which is aiding the American School of Archeological Research in excavations near Hebron.
The excavations have led the experts in the field to the belief that the present day Tel Mersim, near Hebron is the site of the old city of Kirjath-sepher, which Dr. Kyle believes is an earlier name for Debir. The latter is mentioned in the Book of Joshua as follows: "Joshua returned, and all Israel with him to Debir, and fought against it. And he took it."
Kirjath-sepher is mentioned in Joshua XV, 15, as having been the previous name of Debir.
Dr. Kyle is a conspicuous figure among the Fundamentalists, and is interested in seeking confirmation of Biblical statements. His cablegram read:
"Joshua XV, 13-19, confirmed. Field and springs found. Kirjath-sepher fully identified. Remarkable finds far exceeding expectations, Walls originally thirty-five to forty feet high. Great complicated gateway showing five periods of building, three Canaanite, two Israelite. Gruesome layers of ashes show city burned three times: by unknown, about 1700 B. C.; by Othneil at conquest (of Canaan by Joshua), and by Nebuchadnezzar. Evidences of terrifice fighting. Mysterious and unique system of shrines in rooms, probably a Canaanite temple. Remarkable plumbing system."
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
