---
title: Tel Dan Inscription
author: Dana Murray
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/3680/tel-dan-inscription/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 1970-01-01
---

# Tel Dan Inscription

_Authored by [Dana Murray](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/murrayd7/)_

## Image File

[![Tel Dan Inscription](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/3680.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/3680.jpg)

## Image Caption

Erected in the mid ninth-eigth century B.C.E., the Tel Dan Stela includes the Tel Dan Inscription (or "House of David" inscription) thereby providing the first historical evidence of [King David](https://www.worldhistory.org/King_David/) from the [Bible](https://www.worldhistory.org/bible/). The inscription is written in aramaic, apparently erected under the reign of a king of Aram, describing his triumphs over his enemies. The reference to the "House of David" suggests that a Judean king was involved in the events described. Discovered in 1993 at the site of Tel Dan in northern [Israel](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Israel/) under the direction of archaeologist Avraham Biran, the stela is now located in the Israel Museum in [Jerusalem](https://www.worldhistory.org/jerusalem/).

#### Editorial Review

This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).

## Bibliography

- [The Tel Dan Inscription: The First Historical Evidence of King David from the Bible](http://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/biblical-artifacts/artifacts-and-the-bible/the-tel-dan-inscription-the-first-historical-evidence-of-the-king-david-bible-story/ "The Tel Dan Inscription: The First Historical Evidence of King David from the Bible"), accessed 1 Dec 2016.
- [The ‘House of David’ inscribed on a victory stele](http://www.english.imjnet.org.il/Popup.aspx?c0=13092 "The ‘House of David’ inscribed on a victory stele"), accessed 1 Dec 2016.

## About the Author

PhD student with interest in the art, architecture, and religion of ancient Greece and the Near East.

## Cite This Work

### APA
Murray, D. (2015, March 04). Tel Dan Inscription. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/3680/tel-dan-inscription/>
### Chicago
Murray, Dana. "Tel Dan Inscription." *World History Encyclopedia*, March 04, 2015. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/3680/tel-dan-inscription/>.
### MLA
Murray, Dana. "Tel Dan Inscription." *World History Encyclopedia*, 04 Mar 2015, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/3680/tel-dan-inscription/>.

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [Dana Murray](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/murrayd7/ "User Page: Dana Murray"), published on 04 March 2015. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.