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Recently what is probably the Pool of Siloam was discovered in Jerusalem. The structure is be dated from as early as the late Hasmonean period, since five coins from the reign of Alexander Jannaeus (103-76 BCE) were discovered embedded in the plaster. (It is not certain, however, how long the coins circulated before becoming part of the pool.) So far excavations have been carried out on only part of the structure, which consists of a trapazoid-shaped pool surrounded on at least three sides by three sets of five stairs. The fist and second sets of steps lead to landings, whereas the third set leads into the pool. The pool was fed by the Siloah spring located nearby. In John 9:1-11, Jesus heals a man who was born blind by applying mud to his eyes and having him wash it off in the Pool of Siloam (John 9:6-7). There is a reference to the use of Pool of Siloam during the Feast of Tabernacles (m. Sukkah 4.9). |