The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1873-05-20
IMPORTANT DISCOVERY.
Two Original Pngcs of the Bible,

In tho Paris Monde lllustrc, Of the date
of January II, there il an article by Leo
do Bernard, bearing the above title and
relating to IN important archaeological
discovery made in Palestine by Nj. Oh.
Clermont-Ganaenu. This discovery,
styled by NJ. Renan "lhe most important
discovery ,hnt has ever been made in the
seld of oriental geography, consists Of n
Hebrew inscription dating back to the
year 1893 b, C., which contains among 9TH
er things, the names of Mesa, king of Mo-.
alb, 0mri, king of Israel and father Of
Acbab, which speaks of the Ariel of d.
vid, and which contains the sacred tetra-
grammc, the four mysterious and inetfa-
bic characters Of the name of Jehovah
We shall pass by with but little cenl-
meut the difficulty which NJ. C!crmon,-
Ganneau experienced in procuring and
transporting to France this valuable relic,
and consider the thing itself aud its ella inns
TO recognition
The Bedouin sheks with whom Mr..
Ganneau had seen in communication had
told him for some time of the existence o {
this stone in tho rnins of place called by
the Arabs Dhiban, lying three days
journey to the east of Jerusalem and the
other side of Jordan aud the Dead Sea-
After having beceme convinced that there
might be something in the strange IN
scrptons of which he was told, Mr.. Can
neau sent to Dhiban party Of Arabs to
obtain o cast of inscription, and this, in u
damaged condition, they procured
Enough, however, was learned from the
copy to show it extremely desirable to OBJ
tain possession Of the stone, but unfortn-
nately the cupidity Of tho Arabs led them
rs soon as negotiations were commenced
TO break the tablet up and part with each
piece only after much tagging and at an
exorbitant Price. However, his efforts
were finally crowned with success, and
the tablet was reconstructed il its former
shape, with the loss of several compara-
lively unimportant words.
The Interpretation Of the inscription
was the next undertaking, and thanks to
NJ. Ganneaus knowledge and persever-
ance, the entire writing was deciphered
and found to be proclamation Of Mesa
king Of Moab, a contemporary Of Acha5 and
Jchosaphat relating his revolt against tho
king of Israel, his suzerain, and enumer-
ating the battles fought, cities taken and
other labors accomplished.
Not only is the inscription valuable for
the historical information but for the fact
we quote NJ. de Bernard), "thet it is the
most ancient specimen known of alpha.
betical wrting'
The translation of this text reads A,
follows:
| am Mesa, son of Chamosgad the pi.
bonite. NV father reigned oysr Noah for
thirty years, and | reigned after my faith.
err. And built this bamat ftemple) for
Chamos in oarha 1.-THE acropolis of Dibonl.
sanctuary of safety, for no saved me-
from all aggrcssors, and made me triumph
over all my enemies.
Omri was King of Israel,and oppressed
Moab for long years, because Chamos was
enraged against it. And his son succeeded
him, and he, he also said: 81 will oppose
Moab In my time i said al will and
| will visit it upon him and his house .
And Isreal WAS ruined, ruined forever.
Omri had taken poss sssioa of the land of
Msdeba. And he dwelt there.