Is the Bible historically reliable? Examining archaeological evidence & historical records
The Bible is one of the most widely read and influential books in history. But beyond its spiritual significance, many people ask: Is the Bible historically reliable? Can we trust its accounts of ancient events, places, and people? If we can't trust what it says about things that we can verify, how are we supposed to trust it when it talks about things that we can't verify (angels, heaven, hell etc.)
For centuries, experts have explored the lands that are mentioned in the Bible, seeking to find evidence of anything that would confirm or deny the stories we find in it. Let's go through some of the things that have been found that show the confidence we can have in the Bible.
Understanding historical reliability
Before diving into specific findings, it’s important to understand what makes a historical text reliable. Historians evaluate ancient documents based on several criteria:
Manuscript Evidence: The number of copies and their consistency over time: for more information read our article about the manuscript evidence of the Bible.
Archaeological Corroboration: Physical evidence supporting written accounts, If we have a manuscript claiming to be written in or about a certain location we would expect certain things to be true. Any places or landmarks mentioned would match with what we find there, and when a person travels from A to B we would expect the time taken to be consistent with methods of travel in those times. We might find other evidences such as buildings, pottery, or other artifacts that would indicate something about the history of a location.
External Historical Records: Mentions of events or figures in non-biblical sources. In relation to the Bible, we might expect to find other writings from authors arround the same time and location to mention significant events and characters that we find in the Bible.
By applying these criteria, we can explore whether the Bible aligns with historical reality.
Biblical locations
If you buy a Bible today, most of them come with a section of maps at the back. This is really helpful to understand where the events mentioned in the Bible happened.
When you read a story in the Bible, you can follow the path of an individual and it will soon become clear that the authors who wrote the Bible had a clear understanding of the geography in the middle east. Locations and terrain make sense to the story and it has the sense of a real narative.
Take the story of David and Goliath for example, where young David goes down into the valley of Elah to fight against the giant. The Israelites and Philistines were set up in battle array on either side of the valley. This is a story that can easily evoke many questions, was there really a 9 foot tall giant? and did David really defeat him with only a sling and 5 smooth stones?
Today it is possible to visit this valley and retrace David's steps, we see the brook that is still present in the valley and can imagine these armies stood across the valley from each other. We might not be able to go back in time and see the event, but visiting the location shows us that the writer documenting these events understood the terrain. He must have been there to be able to describe what happened.
To believe this story in its entirety takes some faith, but the writer's knowledge of the location helps to solidify this faith. It's not just blind faith.
Archaeological evidence supporting the Bible
Archaeology has unearthed several discoveries that confirm elements of the Bible’s historical accounts. We can't go through them all but let's review some of them.
The Tel Dan stele
The Merneptah stele
Dating back to around 1200 BC, this Egyptian inscription is the earliest known reference to "Israel" as a people group. It supports the biblical account of Israel's presence as a nation in ancient Canaan. You can read more about the stele in this article from the Armstrong institute of biblical archaeology.
The Hezekiah royal seal
The royal seal, and would have been used in the way we might use a stamp in legal documents. This "bulla" was discovered in an ancient refuse dump, adjacent to the temple mount in Jerusalem. on the bulla are the words "Belonging to Hezekiah [Son of] Ahaz king of Judah", this dates back to 6th Century BC, and matches with the Bible, you can read more about the Hezekiah Bulla on a biblical archaeology website.
Ancient cities and structures
Jericho: Jericho is a city that is encountered in many different stories in the bible, most famously in the book of Joshua the Children of Israel sack the city as they enter into the promised land. The strong walls miraculously collapsed to allow the Israelites into the city. read more about the amazing finds at Jericho
Nineveh: Once thought to be mythical, this Assyrian city mentioned in the Book of Jonah was uncovered in modern-day Iraq, the findings have been amazing including the Lachish reliefs, showcasing the victory Sennacherib gained over the City of Lachish, the defeat is mentioned in the Bible as is also his seige of Jerusalem, however his conquest was not successful. read more about Sennacherib.
Hezekiah’s Aqueducts: Archaeological findings have revealed water tunnels built during King Hezekiah’s reign, supporting biblical descriptions of his efforts to prepare Jerusalem for siege (Hezekiah's Aqueduct).
Historical records and biblical events
In addition to archaeology, various historical writings confirm aspects of the Bible. Various people from different backgrounds were writing about biblical people and events.
Josephus
Flavius Josephus, a 1st-century Jewish historian, wrote about Jesus, John the Baptist, and early Christianity. His writings provide external support for the existence of Jesus (What did Josephus say about Jesus).
Tacitus and Pliny the Younger
Both Roman historians mention early Christians and their persecution, verifying that Christianity emerged in the first century as described in the New Testament, read about what Pliny the younger said.
Babylonian and Assyrian Records
These ancient records mention biblical figures such as King Hezekiah and Nebuchadnezzar, supporting events recorded in the Old Testament (The British Museum).
The role of faith and interpretation
For believers, the Bible is more than a historical document—it is a spiritual text. therefore while archaeology and historical records can affirm aspects of the Bible, faith plays a key role in interpreting its significance, whatever we think about the Bible, we have to acknowledge that it has some authority, this is born out by the physical evidence that we can still find today.
Some approach the Bible as just a historical document, and whilst it is a record of events that happened many years ago, it's purpose is not just to describe events, people and places. The aim of the Bible is to bring us to know the God who was acting in all the events it describes. It is there to help us understand who God is and how He works so that we can trust Him in our own circumstances today.
Conclusion
So, is the Bible historically reliable? The evidence suggests that biblical events, figures, and locations have very strong historical backing. Archaeology and historical records have confirmed significant portions of the Bible.
There may still be parts of the bible that are contested, but we have barely scratched the surface in uncovering the evidence to support events in the Bible, the further back we go, the harder it is to find evidence as it is more likely to have been removed or destroyed, but as new discoveries emerge, the Bible’s historical reliability continues to be affirmed.
If you want to know more, or would like to start reading the Bible feel free to reach out to us.