It was mixed in with the rubble of a drainage tunnel from the Roman era located very close to the Western Wall of the Temple Mount. Made from semiprecious stone, the seal was identified during the careful process of students sifting the rubble.

Personal seals like the one found were used to sign letters and other documents and were usually attached to a signet ring ("Hebrew Seal Bearing the Name 'Matanyahu' Uncovered in Jerusalem," Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, May 1, 2012).

According to translation, Matanyahu means "giving to God"—the ending yahu denoting the divine name Yahweh ("First Temple Period 'Matanyahu' Seal Discovered in Jerusalem," BiblicalArchaeology.com, May 2, 2012). The Bible shows that the name, rendered in most English versions as Mattaniah, was in common use during the period (2 Kings 24:17; 1 Chronicles 9:15; 25:4; 25:16).

A find like this reinforces the accuracy of the biblical record. To learn more, download or request our free booklet Is the Bible True?