Gabriel's Revelation (also known as Hazon Gabriel or the Jeselsohn Stone) is an ancient stone tablet with about 87 lines of Hebrew text written in ink. It's dated to the late 1st century BCE or early 1st century CE (around the time of Herod the Great or just after), making it roughly contemporary with the Dead Sea Scrolls era.

The text is an apocalyptic prophecy or vision, written in the first person as if the angel Gabriel is speaking.This inscription is highly relevant to the discussion of Messiah ben Yosef / ben Ephraim (the suffering or slain messiah) because it provides one of the earliest pieces of evidence for ideas about a messianic figure who suffers, dies, and possibly experiences some form of revival or sign — concepts that later appear in rabbinic traditions about Messiah ben Joseph.Key Features of the TextThe tablet mentions:

• Prophecies of end-times events, wars, and divine intervention.
• References to David (as "David my servant") and Ephraim (linked to the northern tribes/Joseph).
• A figure who is slain or suffers (possibly a "prince of princes" or messianic leader).
• Themes of evil being defeated by righteousness.
• A controversial line (around line 80) involving "three days" and a command or sign from Gabriel.

Israel Knohl's Interpretation (as discussed in the video)Prof. Israel Knohl (the scholar featured in the YouTube video you linked) argues that this text shows the concept of a suffering messiah from the tribe of Joseph/Ephraim existed in Judaism before Christianity. Specifically:

• He connects it to Messiah ben Joseph — a figure who fights, is killed in battle (or by evil forces), and whose death plays a role in redemption, paving the way for the triumphant Messiah ben David.
• Knohl's famous (and debated) reading of line 80 is something like: "In three days, live, I Gabriel command you" — interpreting it as an angelic command for a slain messianic figure to rise or live again after three days.
• This would link to resurrection motifs and the idea of a dying messiah who atones or prepares for final salvation.
• Knohl sees references to Ephraim and David as pointing to two messianic figures: one suffering (ben Joseph/Ephraim) and one victorious (ben David), supporting the dual-messiah tradition we discussed earlier.
• He suggests this predates Jesus and influenced early Jewish messianic expectations, not the other way around.

Scholarly Debate and Consensus

• Not everyone agrees with Knohl's reading of the key "three days" line. The tablet is damaged in places, and alternative translations include:
  • "In three days, the sign..."
  • "By three days, the sign. I am Gabriel..."
  • Or even "On the third day: the sign! I am Gabriel, king of the angels."
• Many scholars now lean toward a less dramatic interpretation — no explicit "resurrection command" — though the text still shows apocalyptic hopes involving a slain or suffering leader.
• Even so, it remains important evidence for pre-Christian Jewish ideas of a messiah who dies violently (tied to Ephraim/Joseph) as part of the end-times drama.

Why It Matters for the "Two (or Three) Messiahs" DiscussionIt strengthens the case that the idea of Messiah ben Yosef / ben Ephraim as a warrior who dies in the messianic wars (like against Gog and Magog) wasn't a later rabbinic invention. It has roots in Second Temple Judaism (pre-70 CE). The tablet mentions Ephraim in a context that parallels "servant David," hinting at dual messianic roles — one preparatory/suffering, one final/kingly.You can find full English translations and discussions in sources like:

• Ada Yardeni's original publication in Biblical Archaeology Review (first English version).
• Israel Knohl's articles and book Messiahs and Resurrection in the Gabriel Revelation.
• The free eBook from Biblical Archaeology Society (includes translations and analysis).

This artifact is a fascinating "missing link" showing how ancient Jews grappled with prophecies of both a suffering figure and a triumphant king — ideas that later crystallized in the Talmud as Messiah ben Yosef and ben David. If you'd like a more detailed breakdown of specific lines or where to read the full text, just let me know!