The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) shared the discovery of a 2,800-year-old pottery jar handle found in Ras el-‘Amud, Jerusalem a few years ago. The jar handle was discovered in the remains of a settlement dating from the Middle Canaanite Period (2200-1900 BC) and the First Temple Period (8th – 7th centuries BCE). It was found amongst the remains of the First Temple artifacts and bears the name “Menahem.” IAA excavation director Dr. Ron Beeri called the find “important.” “This important find joins similar names that have been found in archaeological excavations in the Ancient East and in Israel in particular. The names Menahem and Yinahem are expressions of condolences – possibly related to the death of family members,” he said. 

According to Dr. Beeri, Yinahem was found in the earlier Canaanite period on a pottery sherd in Egypt. Another name, Yinahemu, was mentioned in the 14th century BC El-Amarna letters. The name appears to refer to an Egyptian governor of the time. According to the IAA, this is the first finding of the name “Menahem” in Jerusalem. Although the inscription does not offer any clues as to the particular Menahem the jar refers to, the name is mentioned in the Old Testament during the First Temple period. The First Temple period dates from 1200 to 586 BC and refers to the construction of the First Temple by the Biblical King Solomon in 1000 BC. The temple would later be destroyed in 586 BC by the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar.  

Seals with the name Menahem have been found in other parts of Israel, as well as Assyria, Egypt, and Cyprus. It is also the name of a King of the Northern Kingdom when Israel was divided into the Northern Kingdom and the Kingdom of Judah. Referred to in 2 Kings, Menahem ben Gadi reigned in the Northern Kingdom during the reign of Uzziah of Judah. He is also mentioned in the Assyrian texts of Tiglath-Pileser III as “Menahem, the Samarian.” According to the Assyrian texts, in order for the Northern Kingdom to maintain its independence from the powerful Assyrian empire, Menahem paid a tribute of one thousand talents of silver. The IAA hopes to find other important finds as it continues its excavation of the site.