The Megiddo Mosaic

 

We recently were able to visit this exhibit

 at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C.

We have visited Megiddo in Northern Israel eight times 

and so we were very excited to hear about this discovery.

Tel Megiddo is in the western edge of the Jezebel Valley

 about 19 miles southeast of Haifa.

The mosaic is about 16 by 32 feet.

This hall formed a wing of a large residential building 

used by Roman soldiers, namely the Sixth Ironclad Legion

 stationed at the nearby military camp of Legio

 in the Roman province of Galilee.

The Prayer Hall at Megiddo.

The Meggido Mosaic is nearly 1,800 years old - about 230 CE.

and is from the oldest known Christian worship space.

Megiddo's Biblical Significance was that it was at the crossroads 

of trade routes and the spot of many battles. It is associated with the concept of Armageddon, the final battle between good and evil as described in  the book of Revelation.

 

Both King Saul and his sons and King Josiah, died near Megiddo.

Josiah's death happened at Megiddo during a confrontation with Pharaoh Necho II.

The mosaic is on loan to the Museum of the Bible 

for 9 months and then it will be taken back to Israel 

and put in a permanent exhibit in Megiddo.