The Most Holy Site For Jews and Christians Must Be Opened To The Public. ‘Miracle’ Pool Of Siloam

The historic Pool of Siloam — the nearly three millennia-old public pool in the City of David in which Jewish pilgrims would purify themselves before journeying on to the Temple and which the New Testament records as the site where Jesus healed a blind man — is to be fully excavated and opened to modern-day pilgrims in the coming months, the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) announced Tuesday.

“Due to its great significance, over the past 150 years the Pool of Siloam has been an attraction for archaeologists and researchers from all over the world,” The IAA announced Tuesday that it had held a joint statement The City of David Foundation and Nature and Parks Authority. “Now it is expected to be fully exposed for the first time and to be open to the general public.”

Moshe Lion, Jerusalem’s mayor, stated that the long-awaited opening would further enrich Jerusalemites.

“After many years of anticipation, we will soon merit being able to uncover this important site and make it accessible to the millions of visitors visiting Jerusalem each year,” He stated.

It is believed that the pool, which has historical and religious significance, was built around 2,700 years ago during the reign of King Solomon. King Hezekiah (late 8th century B.C.), one of the most venerated kings of Judah described as having done “what was right in the eyes of the LORD” in his religious reformations, and who led Israel during Assyrian occupation of Jerusalem.

According to the Gospel of John, the Pool of Siloam was used by Jewish pilgrims to bathe in ritualistic cleansing prior to ascending to Holy Temple.

He saw a blind man from birth as he walked along. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” Jesus said, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” After uttering this, he spits on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. “Go,” He told him: “wash in the Pool of Siloam” This is what this word means “Sent”). So the man got washed and went home seeing. (John 9:1-7, NIV)

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During the initial phase Visitors will have the opportunity to see the excavations taking place in the City of David. This is the original settlement site of Jerusalem and lies south of the Temple Mount. The City of David Foundation will soon expand public access to include all of the pool in a tour of historic routes to the Holy Temple.

The first excavations were made at the site in 1880. However, archaeologists did not announce their findings until 2004. “100 percent” They were confident they had found the exact location of the pool.

“The moment that we revealed and discovered this four months ago, we were 100 percent sure it was the Siloam Pool,” According to Eli Shukron, an archaeologist who discovered stone steps connecting the Temple and the pool with Ronny Reich, according to NBC News It was at that time. “We know today that the Siloam Pool is connected to the Temple Mount. There is a road that connects the two elements. The entire system is clearer today.”

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Shukron, Reich and the IAA were able to confirm its location after discovering pottery shards, biblical-era coins and ancient Jewish writing on the site.

Stephen Pean, a Biblical scholar, stressed the importance and purity of the pool’s waters.

“The whole point is that people will not only be healed physically but also healed spiritually,” He stated. “This discovery helps bring the Gospel alive in the context of Jewish practice.”

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