Silver Scrolls (Ketef Hinnom)

The inscriptions contain wording closely related to the priestly blessing in Numbers 6, including the appeal for the Lord to bless, keep, and grant peace. They are not complete copies of the biblical book, but short protective amulet texts.

They are generally dated to the late seventh or early sixth century BCE, making them older than the Dead Sea Scrolls. Their language provides early material evidence for a formula also preserved in the Hebrew Bible.

The two rolled silver amulets were discovered in 1979 at Ketef Hinnom, a burial complex southwest of Jerusalem's Old City. They were found in a repository containing grave goods rather than in a manuscript library.

The fragile rolls were carefully opened through conservation work, exposing inscriptions scratched into the silver. Later imaging and photographic techniques helped scholars examine characters that were difficult to distinguish on the corroded surfaces.