Ophel
Ophel is a mountain mentioned in the Old Testament, located in the region of Judea in modern-day Israel. It appears across 5 verses in Scripture.
Biblical History
The Ophel refers to a fortified ridge or elevated area immediately south of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, serving as a critical link between the City of David and the temple complex. The Hebrew word ophel means "swelling" or "hill" and denotes a fortified upper portion of a city. In 2 Chronicles 27:3, King Jotham of Judah is credited with extensive building on the wall of the Ophel, strengthening Jerusalem's defenses during his righteous reign. His son Manasseh later built an outer wall around the City of David, west of Gihon, and "carried it around the Ophel" (2 Chronicles 33:14), fortifying it considerably. During Nehemiah's post-exilic restoration, the temple servants who lived on the Ophel participated in repairing the city walls (Nehemiah 3:26-27; 11:21). These references collectively show the Ophel as a strategic defensive position and residential area closely associated with temple service. Its consistent fortification by Judah's kings underscores its military and religious importance throughout Jerusalem's history.
Archaeological & Historical Notes
The Ophel has been the subject of significant archaeological exploration. Eilat Mazar conducted major excavations from 2009 to 2013, uncovering a massive gatehouse complex, a royal bakery, and a section of a large wall dating to the tenth century BC, which she attributed to Solomon's building activities. A notable find includes a collection of gold medallions and a rare royal seal impression from the First Temple period. Benjamin Mazar's earlier excavations south of the Temple Mount also revealed monumental architecture from multiple periods. The site today is part of the Jerusalem Archaeological Park, where visitors can observe exposed walls and structures spanning the Iron Age through the Byzantine period. Excavations continue to yield important finds illuminating Jerusalem's administrative history.
Verse Appearances (5)
Sources: ISBE Encyclopedia · OpenBible Geocoding (CC BY) · Pleiades Gazetteer View all →