- Address: Shmuel Stephan Weiz St 21, Jerusalem, 9104601, Israel;
- Foundation date: 1992;
- Website: blmj.org;
- Phone: +972 2-561-1066;
- Opening hours: Mon, Tues, Thurs., Sun. - 09: 30-17: 30, cf. - 09: 30-21: 30, Fri, Sat. - 10-14.
Tourists who want to know more information about the civilizations of the Ancient East mentioned in the Bible are advised to visit the Bible Museum in Jerusalem . He explores the culture of the ancient Egyptians, the Arameans and the Philistines. The museum set a goal to tell about these and other peoples in a historical context.
Museum of Biblical Countries - Description
The Bible Museum was founded in 1992 for the personal collection of Eli Borowski. Originally he planned to open it in Toronto, but by chance, during a visit to Israel (1981), Borowski met a woman named Batya Weiss. She persuaded him to transport the collection to Israel . In her patronage, Eli Borowski was introduced to the Mayor of Jerusalem, who contributed to the opening of the museum.
Currently, the exposition consists of hundreds of artifacts, including coins, figurines, idols and seals from around the Middle East. Not only is it interesting to walk past them to admire the level of mastery of ancient peoples, but also to read the annotations provided with artifacts, for example, "Embalming." The exposition covers the period from ancient times to the beginning of urbanization in the Talmudic period.
The museum exhibits models of ancient settlements in Jerusalem, the pyramids in Giza and the structures of Zikkurat in Ur. Much attention is paid to biblical poetic texts, so the lines from the Bible can be found everywhere, and by sense they approach the exposition on which they are located. So, next to the gallery of ancient Anatolian jugs there is the following inscription: "Behold, Rebekah came out with a pitcher on her shoulder, she came down to the fountain and drew water."
The whole central gallery is divided into 21 halls, each of which is dedicated to a specific topic. Here is the hall of the Sumerian temple, Assyria and Ancient Egypt. All expositions cause genuine interest in visitors of any religion, profession and age.
Among the priceless exhibits are ceramics, jewelry made of precious metals, Egyptian and Christian sarcophagi. Those who have visited the museum, recommend to book an excursion with a guide, which are held in different languages. Then the meaning of the expositions will be more understandable, because it will be possible to trace the birth of civilization in the Middle East, get acquainted with crafts and religions, cultures of ancient peoples.
Useful information for tourists
The entrance to the Museum of Biblical Countries is paid, the price depends on the age of the tourist. The approximate cost ranges from $ 5.5 to $ 11. The museum operates from Sunday to Friday (except Wednesday) from 09.30 to 17.30, on Wednesdays from 9.30 to 21.30, on Fridays and Saturdays - from 10.00 to 14.00.
The visitors are provided with experienced guides who conduct daily excursions, there is also an audio-accompanying Easyguide system. On the territory of the museum there is a kosher café and a souvenir shop. On Wednesdays, lectures are given, and on Saturdays - musical performances with wine and dairy products.
How to get there?
The building is located in the museum complex of the Givat Ram district, between two museums: Israel , Blumfield, and next to the National University of Archeology. You can get to the Museum of Biblical Countries by public transport - by buses No. 9, 14, 17, 99.