SUMMARY: The emergency excavation of the ancient site at Horvat Tevet has revealed a magnificent administrative complex from the era of Israel’s King Omri. The richness of its construction, and kinds artifacts discovered, provide clues as to the form, function, and strength of the Israelite monarchy of the period.
He bought the hill of Samaria from Shemer for two talents of silver, and he fortified the hill and called the name of the city that he built Samaria, after the name of Shemer, the owner of the hill. Omri did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, and did more evil than all who were before him. For he walked in all the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and in the sins that he made Israel to sin, provoking the LORD, the God of Israel, to anger by their idols. – 1 Kings 16:26 (ESV)
Discovery of Administrative Complex at Horvat Tevet Archaeological Site
At an ancient site in the Jezreel Valley, just outside of modern day Afula, Israel, archaeologists have excavated an ancient industrial complex featuring a large monumental structure. The location is Horvat Tevet, a ruined site that originally fell in the tribal allotment of Issachar.
The dominant building at the ancient site dates to the era of Israel’s Omrihide dynasty, so named for the dynasty of King Omri and his descendants. Omri was the sixth king to reign in the northern kingdom of Israel after it split from Judah. According to Dr. Omer Sergi, an archaeologist who co-directs the expedition, “When you go inside the main building at Horvat Tevet, you are standing in the best-preserved building of the House of Omri ever found in Israel.”
The excavation has taken place quickly over the past two years as a sort of emergency project in advance of construction of the new Highway 65 in northern Israel, about 12 miles southwest of the Sea of Galilee. Oversight of the excavation has occurred under the joint auspices of The Israel Antiquities Authority and Tel Aviv University. Only two seasons of work remain before the modern highway project ultimately destroys the site.
“Ironically, the reason the monumental complex was constructed there in the first place is the same reason why the modern road is going to be built and the site destroyed…. Then, as now, this is the best route through the Jezreel Valley and north toward the Galilee and Phoenicia. The road has been passing there for thousands of years,” Dr. Sergi told Haaretz.
Royal Estate Illustrates Prosperity and Strength
The main building of the excavated complex is being described as a “royal estate” that served as a central location for Israelite officials during the reigns of Omri and Ahab. It is 20 meters long by 30 meters wide, and is portioned into three sections. The footprint of the main building includes a central hall flanked by two entrance rooms on either side. (See the ceramic head of a biblical king discovered from the era of Omri.)
Unique characteristics of the facility include striking pillars in the main hall as well as finely-chiseled limestone foundation blocks. Additionally, the floors were paved. This was an unusual flourish for the period. According to the site’s researchers, limestone is not indigenous to the area, as opposed to the native basalt. This means that the limestone foundation stones were transported from a remote location, an unnecessary and expensive embellishment indicative of wealth.
These remarkable features hint at the prosperity and strength of the ruling house. They were so unexpected for a complex of the time, that they led researchers to an earlier misidentification of the facility as an ancient Roman complex. Now, they provide compelling reasons for understanding the facility as a royal estate. However, the complex and surrounding area were much more than that.
Ancient Artifacts Reveal Sophisticated Agricultural Center
Additional findings suggest that this site was part of an administrative complex where officials collected and redistributed agricultural products. So far, excavations have yielded kilns for making pottery, storage jars for the collection and distribution of goods, workshops for making textiles, and grinding stones for milling grain into flour. These kinds of discoveries provide additional assistance in interpreting the purpose of the site and the way it functioned.
The site was sophisticated indicating that it was the location of a centralized government. It was at this location that administrative officials supervised the receipt and redistribution of foodstuffs.
Interestingly, in one of the main building’s entrance rooms, a four horned Israelite style altar was discovered (Exodus 27:2). This kind of cultic item would be consistent with administrative centers of the era, and alone is not a factor for concluding this was a religious site. However, it does raise some interesting questions.
Connection to the Biblical Story
Beginning with Jeroboam, Israelite Kings began a gradual descent into ever worsening idolatry. Although Solomon set an idolatrous precedent with his sexual and spiritual experimentation, Jeroboam institutionalized syncretism at a level not previously seen in Israel. The text explains that he democratized and popularized idolatrous religious practice. The result is that he became an archetype of kings who would manipulate and pervert religious polity for the sake of political or other self-serving purposes. For him, religion became a means of political power.
And Jeroboam said in his heart, “Now the kingdom will return to the house of David. If this people go up to offer sacrifices in the temple of the LORD at Jerusalem, then the heart of this people will turn again to their lord, to Rehoboam king of Judah, and they will kill me and return to Rehoboam king of Judah.” So the king took counsel and made two calves of gold. And he said to the people, “You have gone up to Jerusalem long enough. Behold your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.” And he set one in Bethel, and the other he put in Dan. Then this thing became a sin, for the people went as far as Dan to be before one. He also made temples on high places and appointed priests from among all the people, who were not of the Levites. – 1 Kings 12:26-31 (ESV)
After Jeroboam, Kings that engaged in similar behavior would be described as those who walked “in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat” (1 Ki. 16:31), and who “made Israel to sin” (1 Kings 14:16). As judgment on Jeroboam’s sins, his dynasty was overthrown. Of significance is that the military leader responsible was Baasha, of the tribe of Issachar, the tribal allotment which included the site at Horvat Tevet.
Interestingly, remains of an earlier structure dating to the period of King Baasha have reportedly also been identified at Horvat Tevet. Baasha’s dynasty was short lived, however, as he followed the political and spiritual path of Jeroboam and experienced the same demise.
Since I exalted you out of the dust and made you leader over my people Israel, and you have walked in the way of Jeroboam and have made my people Israel to sin, provoking me to anger with their sins, behold, I will utterly sweep away Baasha and his house, and I will make your house like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat. – 1 Kings 16:2-3 (ESV)
After a couple of insignificant kings, the next major king was Omri. He established a ruling house referred to as the Omrihide dynasty. In this group were Omri, Ahab, Ahaziah, and Jehoram. It is likely, though not proven, that Omri was also of the tribe of Issachar. The earlier connection of Baasha to the area factors into how the administrative center began here. (see an Update on how the Mesha Stele links to Israel’s kings at the time of Omri and Ahab)
Once established, it makes sense that later rulers would continue to use the site for similar purposes. If the Omrihide dynasty was also connected to Issachar, it could account for why such an unusually grand monumental structure was constructed here.
According to Dr. Sergi, the complex “[W]as probably the location where the royal administration collected, stored and redistributed agricultural produce from the entire region.” Additional discoveries at the site included large grain silos as well as a fortress dating to a period after the destruction of the monumental building. These structures indicate that the site continued to be used as an agricultural center for some time.
Some Final Thoughts: Administrations and Altars
As mentioned above, an altar was discovered in the monumental building. In view of the strong connection of religion to the politics of Omri and Ahab, one wonders how or whether this particular item played a part in the syncretistic idolatry of these men. Could Omri, or Ahab, have actually used this altar personally? Like Omri and others before him, Ahab also followed the model of Jeroboam and became one of the most famous idolaters in the Bible. (See the excavation in Jezreel that points to Naboth’s vineyard made famous by King Ahab)
Archaeologists have found indications that at some point, the pillared building had its entrances blocked and was set on fire. Subsequently its roof collapsed on the interior thus covering and preserving some of its remnants until the present day. The time of the destruction fits with aspects of the narrative from 2 Kings 8 and 9 and as described in the Tel Dan Stele, when Syria was in conflict with Israel.
The Omrihide facility at Horvat Tevet provides a physical link to the kings of the period of Omri. It contributes a tangible example of the kinds of strategic building projects that these leaders undertook. It also sheds light on the administrative sophistication and prosperity of the period. This continues the trend of new evidence showing that these things were more highly developed during Israel’s early history than previously thought by most archaeologists, but matching what the Bible claims very well.
As illustrated by the ominous four horned altar in the destroyed facility, idolatrous religion was everywhere. Israelite kings often manipulated and exploited worship for political or other self-serving purposes, and did so to their own peril.
Last but not least, the discovery at Horvat Tevet recalls the circumstances surrounding the demise of the biblical kings from this era. The biblical text is clear that these kings were judged and their dynasties ended due to their idolatry and wickedness. They incentivized worshiping the right God in the wrong way, or the wrong god(s) altogether.
A Messianic Alternative
This pattern of corrupt kings becomes part of the longing of the biblical prophet for a King of a very different nature. Jeremiah, for example, wrote of a coming king:
Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 6 In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The LORD is our righteousness. – Jeremiah 23:5 (ESV)
Old Testament believers looked forward to that coming King just as New Testament believers look forward to the second coming of the King. Discoveries like those at Horvat Tevet remind readers of how the righteous reign of the Messiah has been long awaited. They also remind readers of how fundamentally different the promised King would be in comparison to all others. The prophet Zechariah exclaimed,
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. – Zechariah 9:9 (ESV)
These are historical realities that underscore the need for the Bible’s promised solution. These are reasons why we should keep waiting, and why we should all KEEP THINKING!
TOP PHOTO: Pillared building found at Horvat Tevet proposed to be an Israelite royal estate in the 9th century BC. (credit: Rachel Lindeman, from the Horvat Tevet Archaeological Project)
NOTE: Not every view expressed by scholars contributing Thinker articles necessarily reflects the views of Patterns of Evidence. We include perspectives from various sides of debates on biblical matters so that readers can become familiar with the different arguments involved. – Keep Thinking!
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