1,500-Year-Old Mosaic Featuring A Biblical Blessing Unearthed At The Remains Of A Byzantine Monastery

Published January 14, 2025
Updated January 15, 2025

The Biblical verse, from Deuteronomy 28:6, reads: "Blessed are you when you come in, and blessed are you when you go out."

Bible Mosaic Found In Israel

Emil Aladjem, Israel Antiquities AuthorityThe mosaic was found at a compound built during the Byzantine era between the fifth and sixth centuries C.E.

During excavations north of the Israeli city of Kiryat Gat, archaeologists uncovered a sprawling compound from the Byzantine era that contained 10 buildings, including a monastery, a winepress, and a warehouse. But the most incredible find was the monastery floor, an intricate mosaic that features a Biblical verse.

The verse offers a blessing to all who see it, and archaeologists say it’s one of the most unique mosaics they’ve ever uncovered in Israel.

“Blessed Are You When You Come In”: The Biblical Mosaic Found At Kiryat Gat

Archaeological Site Near Kiryat Gat

Emil Aladjem, Israel Antiquities AuthorityThe archaeological site near Kiryat Gat.

According to a Facebook post from the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA), the compound was discovered during development work in preparation for the establishment of a new neighborhood. Constructed during the Byzantine era, between the fifth and sixth centuries C.E., and connected to an even older Roman settlement, the compound immediately struck archaeologists as extraordinary.

“This is the largest and most significant site discovered in the region from the Roman and Byzantine periods,” IAA archaeologists said.

And the most significant find at the site quickly proved to be the monastery. During their excavations, archaeologists realized that the monastery floor was adorned with an intricately detailed mosaic unlike anything that had ever been uncovered in the region before.

Uncovering Biblical Mosaic In Israel

Emil Aladjem, Israel Antiquities AuthorityArchaeologists uncovering the Biblical mosaic at the Kiryat Gat archaeological site.

“The mosaic discovered in Kiryat Gat is one of the most unique ever found in Israel,” Mark Avrahami, Head of Artistic Conservation at the Israel Antiquities Authority, remarked in the IAA Facebook post.

According to the IAA, the mosaic includes “crosses, lions, doves, an amphora, flowers, and geometric patterns.” The geometric patterns also include “very small mosaic stones” which seek to “highlight the cross-shaped decorations.” But perhaps the most striking thing about the mosaic is its ancient inscription, a Bible verse in Greek, which reads: “Blessed are you when you come in, and blessed are you when you go out.”

The mosaic may be the most eye-catching part of the compound, but it’s far from the only thing that archaeologists unearthed.

Other Astonishing Finds At The Kiryat Gat Archaeological Site

Ceramic Bottle Found In Israel

Emil Aladjem, Israel Antiquities AuthorityAn IAA archaeologist holds up a rare ceramic bottle shaped like a face.

In addition to the monastery, archaeologists also explored the site’s “sophisticated” winepress, which showed signs of being repaired several times over the years. It too had a mosaic floor, located in the fermentation room, which was constructed using blue and white stones. They also collected a number of objects from the compound, including a “great quantity of imported ware, coins, marble elements, metal and glass vessel.”

Both the compound and the objects found there, IAA explained, suggested that the community that once lived at the site was wealthy and of high status.

Indeed, the settlement was once situated on a central road that seemingly once served both nearby smaller settlements and travelers who passed through the area. It was apparently used from the early Roman era in the first century C.E., though the fall of Rome, and until the end of the Byzantine era.

Byzantine Compound In Israel

Emil Aladjem, Israel Antiquities AuthorityA part of the compound, which was used for centuries between the Roman and the Byzantine periods.

Now, archaeologists’ goal is to remove the mosaic — a complex and delicate process — so that it may be viewed by the public.


After reading about the Biblical mosaic that was unearthed during archaeological excavations in Israel, go inside the complicated story of when the Bible was written. Then, read about the debate over the location of Golgotha, the site named in the Bible as the place where Jesus Christ was crucified.

author
Kaleena Fraga
author
A senior staff writer for All That's Interesting since 2021 and co-host of the History Uncovered Podcast, Kaleena Fraga graduated with a dual degree in American History and French Language and Literature from Oberlin College. She previously ran the presidential history blog History First, and has had work published in The Washington Post, Gastro Obscura, and elsewhere. She has published more than 1,200 pieces on topics including history and archaeology. She is based in Brooklyn, New York.
editor
John Kuroski
editor
Based in Brooklyn, New York, John Kuroski is the editorial director of All That's Interesting. He graduated from New York University with a degree in history, earning a place in the Phi Alpha Theta honor society for history students. An editor at All That's Interesting since 2015, his areas of expertise include modern American history and the ancient Near East. In an editing career spanning 17 years, he previously served as managing editor of Elmore Magazine in New York City for seven years.
Citation copied
COPY
Cite This Article
Fraga, Kaleena. "1,500-Year-Old Mosaic Featuring A Biblical Blessing Unearthed At The Remains Of A Byzantine Monastery." AllThatsInteresting.com, January 14, 2025, https://allthatsinteresting.com/byzantine-monastery-biblical-mosaic. Accessed July 25, 2025.