Guide
Synagogue Inscriptions Noting Donations
3rd Century BCE–7th Century CE
Related Primary Sources
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Greek Inscription from Xenephyris, Egypt
On behalf of King Ptolemy and Queen Cleopatra his sister and Queen Cleopatra his wife, the Jews of Xenephyris dedicated the pylon of the prayer hall [proseuchē] during the presidencies of Theodorus…
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Greek and Latin Inscription on Marble Tablet from Ostia, Italy
For the safety of the Emperor. Mindius Faustus with his family built and made [it] from his own gifts, and set up the ark for the holy law.
Source: JIWE 1.13
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Greek Inscription from Phocaea, Asia Minor
Tation, the daughter of Straton, son of Emphedon, built out of her own [money] the synagogue building [ton oikon] and the colonnade of the courtyard, and gave them to the Jews. The community of Jews…
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Greek Inscription on Column from Stobi, Macedonia
[Claudius] Tiberius Polycharmus, also known as Achyrius, father of the synagogue [patēr tēs synagōgēs] in Stobi, having governed all my life according to Judaism, in fulfillment of a vow have indeed…
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Greek Inscriptions from Aegina, Greece
I, Theodoros, the archisynagogos who served for four years, built the synagogue from its foundations. Revenues [contributed] amounted to 85 gold pieces and offerings to God [i.e., from the synagogue…
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Mosaic Floor, Aegina, Greece
This floor mosaic with Greek inscriptions was found on the island of Aegina in Greece and is evidence of a synagogue there.
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Greek Inscriptions from Apamea, Syria
In the time of the most honoured archisynagogoi Eusebius and Nehemiah [Nemias] and Phineas, and of Theodorus the gerusiarch, and of the most honoured elders Isaac [Eisakios] and Saul [Saoulos] and…
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Greek Inscriptions on Mosaic from Ḥammat Tiberias, Lower Galilee
Maximos vowing fulfilled (it). Long may he live!
Aboudemos vowing fulfilled (it).
Zoilos vowing fulfilled (it). Long may he live!…
Primary Source
Greek Mosaic Inscription, Ḥammat Tiberias
This mosaic comes from a synagogue at Ḥammath Tiberias. One of the inscriptions extends across two panels, so that the nine panels commemorate eight donors or benefactors to the building. Four of the…
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Aramaic Inscription on Column from Capernaum, Central Galilee
ḤLPW, the son of Zebida, the son of Joḥanan, made this column. May blessing be his.
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Greek Inscription on Column from Capernaum, Central Galilee
Herod, son of Mo[ni or, Moki]mos and Justos his son, together with the children erected this column.
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Hebrew Inscription on Lintel from Baram, Upper Galilee
May peace be in this place and all the places of Israel. Yosi the Levite, son of Levi, made this lintel. May blessing come through his deeds. Shalom.
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Aramaic Inscriptions on Mosaic from Susiya, Judaea
[Remember]ed for good [a]ll the members of the town [who] support[ed . . .] . . . [May] the King of [the universe give his blessing for their deeds. A]men. A[men.] Peace.
Th…
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Hebrew Inscriptions on Mosaic from Susiya, Judaea
Remembered for good, the sanctity of my master Rabbi Isai the priest, the honorable, birebbi, who made this mosaic and plastered its walls with lime, which was donated at a feast [of] Rabbi Johanan…
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Hebrew Mosaic Inscription, Susiya
This mosaic inscription from the synagogue at Susiya, in the Hebron hills, names R. Isai and R. Yoḥanan as benefactors of the synagogue building.
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Aramaic Inscription on Mosaic from Eshtemoa, Judaea
Remember for good Lazar the priest and his sons, who gave one tremissis of his property.
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Aramaic Inscription on Mosaic from Ḥammat Gader, Golan
And remembered be for good Kyris Hoples, and Kyra Proton, and Kyris Sallustius his son-in-law, and Comes Phroros his son, and Kyris Photios his son-in-law, and Kyris Ḥanina his son—they, and their…
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Aramaic Inscriptions on Mosaic from Naaran, Jordan Valley
Remembered for good, Phinehas the priest, son of Yusta, who gave the funds for the mosaic from his own assets (?).
Remembered for good, Rebecca, wife of Phinehas.…
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Mosaic Floor, Naaran, Jordan
The synagogue pavement at Naaran, near Jericho, consists of three panels, the lower decorated with circular and octagonal shapes filled in with animal motifs and other objects…
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Greek Inscription on Mosaic from Beth Shean, Jordan Valley
The gift of those of whom the Lord knows the names, He shall guard them, in times. . . .
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Aramaic Inscription on Mosaic from Jericho, Jordan Valley
Remembered for good be the memory for good, (including) the entire holy community, the great and small ones, who were aided by the Lord of the Universe and (who) donated and made the mosaic. May the…
Primary Source
Aramaic Mosaic Inscription, Jericho
This inscription in the mosaic floor of the Jericho synagogue expresses gratitude to everyone who donated to fund the construction of the mosaic.
Related Guide
Early Synagogue Donors and Benefactors
3rd Century BCE–7th Century CE