Tob (Hb) - Good (Eng) - The Hebrew root word tob means “good” but the Hebrew context often requires tob to be translated into English in a variety of the following ways in order to express more adequately the Hebrew intentions: “agreeable,” “pleasant,” “satisfying,” “favorable,” “useful,” “right,” “pretty,” “fragrant.” In general tob means good concerning:

• Suitable for a purpose
• An indication of quality
• Characterization of people
• Evaluation of a decision
• Ethical behavior

Expert Witness Testimony Confirming the Authenticity of the James Ossuary

Epigrapher ancient Hebrew inscriptions: “Not doubt that the entire inscription was ancient and inscribed in a single event. No reason to believe the contrary.”

Paleographer, Hebrew University: “Concluded that the entire inscriptions of ancient origin…If this is a forgery, I quit.”

Expert in Hebrew Ossuary Inscriptions, IAA Committee: “Found no indication of forgery in the inscription.”

Expert on Hebrew Inscriptions: “Found no indication that the inscription is a forgery or is modern. The text and paleography make it difficult to rule out the authenticity of the inscription.”

Professor, prosecution witness: “No indication the inscription is a forgery.”

Experts in archaeometry at the Geological Survey of Israel in Jerusalem: “They identified natural bio-patina in all the letter grooves, thus demonstrating the inscription occurred prior to the scratches and patina forming. They have no doubt about the ancient origin of the entire inscription.”

Senior antiquities conservator for IAA, chemist and specialist in the conservation of ancient stone items: “Based on careful analysis of the patina within the letter grooves under various light conditions concluded with certainty the phrase ‘brother of Jesus’ had been engraved in ancient times.”

Several others with similar credentials testified in support of the authenticity of the James Ossuary.

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