A Giant's Finger in Jerusalem?

The Year: 1858
The Place: The Russian Compound, Jerusalem
Plausibility: A monument from a nearby church

The so-called “finger” of Og, resting with dignity in its own section of the Russian Compound in Jerusalem, is anything but the finger of Og, King of Bashan. It is, in fact, a massive stone beam stretching several meters in length that has stood there, experts estimate, for many centuries. The beam came to light nearly two hundred years ago, in 1858, during excavations for construction. For many years afterward, the “finger”—or more accurately, the ancient beam—lay abandoned and covered in debris. Once rediscovered, it was cleaned and became an object of curiosity. Some speculated that it may have originally been created for the Second Temple, possibly as part of Herod’s Temple complex.

One of the most renowned archaeologists of our time, Professor Yoram Tsafrir—an expert in the archaeology of Israel and the broader Middle East—categorically rejected this theory. According to Tsafrir, “Og’s Finger was most likely constructed as part of the Nea Church, a very ancient church that stood in Jerusalem for several centuries nearly a thousand years ago.” Based on meticulous archaeological findings and analysis, Tsafrir was convinced that the beam is a remnant of this church. He explained that the construction style and location of the massive stone, together with evidence of a longstanding stone quarry in the area, all point to this conclusion.

So how did this colorful name come about? It seems that the sharp wit of Jerusalem’s residents could not resist giving the ancient beam a playful nickname, and invoking Og, King of Bashan, was a natural choice. Interestingly, this is not the only such “finger.” Several similar beams exist in Upper Jerusalem, two of which are located in the Mahane Yehuda neighborhood. Unlike Og’s Finger, however, they are concealed by modern urban development and are not displayed to the public.

Whether described as a finger, a beam, or a pillar, this ancient artifact now rests quietly beneath the Jerusalem police station in the Russian Compound. Silently, it joins the thousands of archaeological remains of ancient Jerusalem, each telling the story of the peoples and events that have shaped the history of the united city.