Last week, Israeli archaeologists announced the discovery of a clay seal bearing the name of Hezekiah son of Ahaz, who was king of Judea in the 8th century BCE. The seal, which experts believe to be authentic, includes a depiction of a winged sun, a common motif of contemporary Egyptian religious imagery. Joshua Berman argues that Hezekiah’s use of this symbol does not conflict with the Bible’s statement that the king broke with the idolatry of his predecessors:

It is true that the winged sun is a symbol of an ancient Egyptian deity. However, both the sun and the motif of protective wings [were common] symbols across the ancient Near East. In fact, we find them amply attested within the Bible itself, in both profane and sacral references. The sun is [used as] a metaphor for strength. . . . Wings are a symbol of protection. . . . It is no surprise, therefore, that each of these images can describe God as well. . . .

The image of the winged sun is clear in Hezekiah’s seal. Less clear is what it precisely symbolizes. Is the sun here a representation of God? . . . Or, perhaps, the might of Hezekiah himself? . . . It is difficult to say. What is clear is that the symbol in no way suggests that Hezekiah worshipped an Egyptian deity. Were that case, the very name on the seal would read “Ḥezek-Amun” or “Ḥezek-Re” [i.e., “strength of Amun” or “strength of Ra”]. Ḥizki-yahu [“my strength is God”] leaves no doubts as to this monarch’s loyalties.

Early Friday morning, Israel attacked military installations near the Iranian cities of Isfahan and nearby Natanz, the latter being one of the hubs of the country’s nuclear program. Jerusalem is not taking credit for the attack, and none of the details are too certain, but it seems that the attack involved multiple drones, likely launched from within Iran, as well as one or more missiles fired from Syrian or Iraqi airspace. Strikes on Syrian radar systems shortly beforehand probably helped make the attack possible, and there were reportedly strikes on Iraq as well.

Iran itself is downplaying the attack, but the S-300 air-defense batteries in Isfahan appear to have been destroyed or damaged. This is a sophisticated Russian-made system positioned to protect the Natanz nuclear installation. In other words, Israel has demonstrated that Iran’s best technology can’t protect the country’s skies from the IDF. As Yossi Kuperwasser puts it, the attack, combined with the response to the assault on April 13,

clarified to the Iranians that whereas we [Israelis] are not as vulnerable as they thought, they are more vulnerable than they thought. They have difficulty hitting us, but we have no difficulty hitting them.

Nobody knows exactly how the operation was carried out. . . . It is good that a question mark hovers over . . . what exactly Israel did. Let’s keep them wondering. It is good for deniability and good for keeping the enemy uncertain.

The fact that we chose targets that were in the vicinity of a major nuclear facility but were linked to the Iranian missile and air forces was a good message. It communicated that we can reach other targets as well but, as we don’t want escalation, we chose targets nearby that were involved in the attack against Israel. I think it sends the message that if we want to, we can send a stronger message. Israel is not seeking escalation at the moment.