The Tel Dan stele: language, letters, and context
The Tel Dan stele is a fragmentary Aramaic victory inscription from the ninth century BCE. It is known for its reference to the House of David.
What is the object?
A stele is an upright stone monument. The Tel Dan fragments were found in 1993 and 1994. The Jewish Museum describes them as parts of a basalt victory monument and explains the reference to the House of David. Source: the Jewish Museum's object background.
Is it Hebrew?
The inscription is Aramaic. Recognizing related letter shapes is one step; understanding the language and the historical setting requires a separate reading.
For a Hebrew inscription, start with the Siloam tunnel text.
How to study the letters
- Open the museum's linked diagram and translation.
- Find a clearly preserved section in the photograph.
- Compare only the visible marks before consulting restored readings.
The Paleo-Hebrew chart is a general learning aid. Compare the chart with the visible strokes in the photograph.
Read the source
The museum page includes links to a stele diagram, translation, and exhibition text.
Guide by Paleo Pro. Sources checked October 6, 2026.
