In the Bible Shem's land becomes the ‘land of Kanaan’ because Shem, operated passively against his brother Ham, whose son Mitzrayim (the founder of Egypt) and grandson Kanaan took possession of it. Shem also known as the high priest of Shalem (Jerusalem) or Malchi-tzedek (just King) held to his priestly disposition and failed to defend his sovereign rights. Nevertheless, his rights transferred to his direct descendant Abram when Shem died.
In my thesis ‘Jerusalem's Origin’ I propose the first settlement of Jerusalem was Early Bronze I, 3300-3050 B.C.E. This new evidence from the Dead Sea Scrolls directly supports the hypothesis and paves the way for the age of the carved bedrock of the upper ridge at the Gihon Spring in the City of David (Jerusalem) to have been constructed by Shem as God’s priestly sanctuary. This would confirm Shalem as the origin of Jerusalem.
Professor Elisha Qimron, the world’s preeminent expert on the Dead Sea Scrolls sent the recent fragment photograph to his assistants Hanan Ariel and Alexey Yuditsky for their review. After analysis and debate they unanimously concluded that the commonly interpreted “tent of Shem” etymologically refers to the “land of Shem” a direct connection to “Ha-Shem” – “The Name” of God and as such Shem’s land is God’s Land. This would make Shalem, the place of Gods temple.
The features on the high ridge of the Gihon Spring are unique in Israel and world archaeology. As confirmed by the Israel Antiquities Authority, never before has such a site been located. It contains an olive press, a grain press, a bedrock monument (matseva), places for sacrifice, features for small animal management and direct access to water cisterns. It is a remarkably well preserved area that will continue to be excavated over the coming years.
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