Ancient Synagogue Inscription from Hadra district in Alexandria, Egypt: 200 BC

b. “The great sanhedrin was [made up of] seventy-one members, B and the small one was [made up of] twenty-three. C And how do we know that the great sanhedrin was to have seventy-one members? D Since it is said, Gather to me seventy men of the elders of Israel (Num. 11:16). E Since Moses was in addition to them, lo, there were seventy-one. F R. Judah says, “It is seventy.” G And how do we know that a small one is twenty-three? H Since it is said, The congregation shall judge, and The congregation shall deliver (Num. 35:24, (25)— I one congregation judges, and one congregation saves—thus there are twenty. J And how do we know that a congregation is ten? Since it is said, How long shall I bear with this evil congregation [of the ten spies] (Num. 14:27)—xcluding Joshua and Caleb. K And how do we know that we should add three more? L From the implication of that which is said, You shall not follow after the many to do evil (Ex. 23:20), I derive the inference that I should be with them to o good. M If so, why is it said, After the many to do evil? N Your verdict of acquittal is not equivalent to your verdict of guilt. O Your verdict of acquittal may be on the vote of a majority of one, but your vote for guilt must be by a majority of two. P Since there cannot be a court of an even number of members [twenty-two], they add yet another—thus twenty-three. Q And how many residents must there be in a town so that it may be suitable for a sanhedrin? R One hundred and twenty. S R. Nehemiah says, “Two hundred and thirty, equivalent in number to the chiefs of groups of ten [Ex. 18:21].” (Mishnah, m. Sanhedrin 1:6)

B. Inscription footnotes:

1. Gr: hieros peribolos = sacred places = out of bounds = asylum, fenced off area. Used by Philo of synagogues in Flaccus 41-53, Alexandria, 38-41 AD)

2. Lit. proseuche = house of prayer

3. Appurtenances: Separate building adjoining or beside. Used for housing for preacher, storage etc.

By Steve Rudd 2017: Contact the author for comments, input or corrections

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Ancient Synagogues Go to: Main Start Page
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Quick links: Master introduction: Summary overview is the place to start to tie it all together. Providence: God’s eternal plan: The providential transition from Temple to Synagogue to Church Origin: Synagogues originated at Alexandria Egypt in 280 BC spawned by the Septuagint Jesus the Messiah of the Tanakh: 1. First Century Jewish Messianic Expectation: As witnessed in the Dead Sea scrolls. 2. Looking for the wrong thing: Mistaken Jewish ideas of the Messiah in 30 AD. 3. Jesus fulfilled Prophecy: Master list of fulfilled messianic prophecies 4. Jesus fulfilled Prophecy: "He shall be called a Nazarene (branch)" Matthew 2:23 5. Jesus fulfilled Prophecy: “Jesus would rise the third day” 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 Synagogue Architectural Prototypes in the Church: 1. Standard architectural synagogue typology: Introduction, Master Chart 2. Mikveh for Ritual Purity: The Christian Maker 3. Ritual purity stone Vessels: Stoneware cups and wash basins 4. Freestanding Columns: Antitype of Christians 5. Artwork: Heart-Shaped Columns 6. The bema: Prototype of the Church Pulpit 7. Synagogue Benches: Metaphor of Equality in Christ 8. Women Seating in Synagogues: Not segregated from men 9. The Moses’ Seat: Metaphor of Pride 10. Niches & Ark of The Scrolls: Prototype of Church Apse 11. Table of the Scrolls: Prototype of Communion Table 12. Byzantine Church Architecture: Octagonal and Basilica 13. Orientation: Early Synagogues did not Point to Jerusalem 14. The Church replaced the Temple: Replacement theology is pure Christianity Synagogue Worship Prototypes in the Church: 15. Worship prototypes: Introduction and Master Summary Chart 16. Collective Names of Synagogues: House of Prayer, Temple, Church 17. Organization of Synagogues: Elders, officials, attendants, Independent, autonomous 18. Attendance: Weekly Sabbath Assemblies in Synagogues absent from Tanakh 19. Public Bible readings: Preaching and Teaching In Synagogues 20. Greek Septuagint: The Standard Tanakh of every ancient synagogue 21. Greek Septuagint scroll of the Twelve Minor Prophets written in 50 BC 22. Prayer in Synagogues: “House of prayer” Proseuche 23. Food: Sacred Passover Meals, No Common Meals In Synagogues 24. Sermon Topics in Synagogues: How Christians used the Tanakh to convert Jews 25. Singing in Synagogues: Non-Instrumental Acapella Responsive Singing 26. Benevolence Money: Freewill Weekly First fruits Collections for poor in Synagogues 27. Education: Schools and Literacy of Jews In Synagogues 28. Role of Women in Synagogues: Never leaders, preachers but never segregated 29. Sanctuary Status: Refugees seeking Asylum in Synagogues 30. Appendages: Hostels, Housing and Food Banks in Synagogues 31. Civil Court: Judgements, beatings and scourging in Synagogues 32. Civic Meetings: Political Town Hall assemblies in Synagogues 33. Christians replaced Jews: Replacement theology is pure Christianity Synagogue Occupation Date (SOD)= Excavation date + Inscriptional date + Literary date Allusions: Synagogue worship allusions and imagery in the New Testament Master builder Stonemason Jesus: “Upon this Rock I will build My church” Everyday life: Archeology of Everyday Life and Homes at the time of Jesus Master List: Master list of First Temple Period, Pre-70 AD Synagogues Attend a church you can read about in the Bible: Click here to find a church near you. By Steve Rudd 2017: Contact the author for comments, input or corrections

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Jesus your messiah is waiting for you to come home!

Why not worship with a first century New Testament church near you, that has the same look and feel as the Jewish Synagogue in your own home town. As a Jew, you will find the transition as easy today as it was for the tens of thousands of your forefathers living in Jerusalem 2000 years ago when they believed in Jesus the Nazarene (the branch) as their messiah. It’s time to come home!

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