The Judahite Temple at Tel Moẓa near Jerusalem: The House of Obed-Edom?

The author discusses the identity of the recently discovered temple at Tel Moẓa. The key to the identification is the so-called ‘Ark Narrative’ (1 Sam 4:1b–7:1; 2 Sam 6:1–20a), the last part of which relates the journey of the ark from Kiriath-jearim (Deir el-ʿAzar) to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite, and from there to Jerusalem. The line of travel must have passed in the vicinity of the Moẓa temple. The author suggests identifying the latter as the temple (House) of Obed-Edom. He then analyzes some other Judahite cult places (bāmôt) mentioned in biblical texts, and the possible Philistine origin of some artefacts unearthed in the temple.