Israel’s biblical site where Jesus is said to have healed a blind man will be fully open to the public for the first time in two millennia in the near future, according to an announcement on Wednesday before the new year by The Israel Antiquities Authority, the Israel National Parks Authority, and the City of David Foundation.
The Pool of Siloam is located in the southern portion of the City of David and within the Jerusalem Walls National Park area.
It is currently being excavated and will either be opened to the public piece by piece or once the entire site is unearthed. The archaeological project is expected to take several years.
“At the first stage, visitors will be able to observe the archaeological excavations, and in the coming months, the Pool of Siloam will be accessible, as part of the tourist route that will begin at the southernmost point of the City of David and culminate at the Western Wall.”
Jerusalem’s Mayor Moshe Lion provided a statement on the significance of the excavation, “The Pool of Siloam in the City of David National Park in Jerusalem is a site of historic, national, and international significance. After many years of expectation, we will soon begin uncovering this important site and make it accessible to the millions of visitors and tourists who visit Jerusalem every year.”
American Pastor John Hagee, founder and chairman of Christians United for Israel, told Fox News Digital: “The excavation of the Pool of Siloam is of great importance to Christians around the world. It was at this site that Jesus healed the blind man (John:9), and it is at this site that, 2,000 years ago, Jewish pilgrims cleansed themselves prior to entering the Second Temple.”
Ze'ev Orenstein, the director of international affairs for the City of David Foundation in Jerusalem, told the outlet: “Despite ongoing efforts at the United Nations and Palestinian leadership to erase Jerusalem’s heritage, in a few years time, the millions of people visiting the City of David annually will literally be able to walk in the footsteps of the Bible, connecting with the roots of their heritage and identity.”
The pool was built around 2,700 years ago as part of Jerusalem’s water system in the eighth century. The construction was during the reign of King Hezekiah, as cited in the Bible in the Book of Kings II, 20:20, according to the two Israeli agencies and the City of David Foundation.
In 2004, the Hagihon water company carried out infrastructure work and uncovered some of the pool’s steps. Consequently, the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) launched a survey under the supervision of scholars Ronny Reich and Eli Shukron. Thus, the northern perimeter and a small portion of the perimeter of the Pool of Siloam were exposed. The Pool’s perimeter was built as a series of steps to allow bathers to sit and immerse themselves in the waters.
