Luke Chandler holds an M.A. in Ancient and Classical History and has worked eight archaeological seasons at Khirbet Qeiyafa and Lachish in Israel. He plans to excavate in 2019 at Khirbet al-Rai, a site connected to the ancient Philistines and Judah. Luke is a member of the American Schools of Oriental Research (ASOR). He has served as an adjunct professor teaching “The Archaeology of the Bible Lands” at Florida College in Temple Terrace, Florida.
Luke is also an experienced tour leader in Europe and the Bible Lands. In 2019 he is leading a “Journey Through the Testaments” tour to Israel from June 10-22 and a “Biblical Greece and the Greek Isles” tour from October 8-18. Look for information on his tours at www.LukeChandlerTours.com or contact him directly at ChandlerLuke – at – iCloud.com
Luke is a minister with the North Terrace Church of Christ near Tampa, Florida and makes evangelistic trips to South American and Spain. He and his wife Melanie have five children.
Luke,
I recently listened to your interview on the Book and the Spade and re-listened today. My wife and I took a tour of Israel two years ago and it was a real blessing. She wants to go back on a tour in 2010 and I said I’d rather participate in a dig. It has been a lifelong dream of mine.
Well, I looked through the BAR find- a -dig to see what was available. Khirbet Qeiyafa seemed like a good reasonably priced expedition and very interesting. As I looked through the pictures I saw that you put up a blog. I was surprised that you were the one I had listened to.
I am around the same age as your father (63). I hope to retire in a couple of years but figure if I am ever going to do this I need to do it soon.
You have been an inspiration to me. Thanks.
Gale
Gale,
I am very happy you found something useful from my experience. If you are sure that you want to join a dig, you should definitely do it! Many believe it would be a beneficial experience, but assume they have ‘missed the boat.’ I basically believed that just a year ago about myself. Thanks to a change of heart and a supportive wife, I am planning to return to Khirbet Qeiyafa next year as well. I’m even organizing a group to come with me. Perhaps we’ll see each other there?
Very best wishes,
Luke
What week-end schedule did the Team use for this dig? Do they observe the sabbath or continue work on Saturday? Do they allow you to be free for worship on Sunday?
The dig works a Sunday afternoon-through Thursday afternoon schedule. A bus takes everyone to Jerusalem on Friday mornings, arriving at the Central Bus Station at 9:30 a.m. We are free from then until 10:30 a.m. Sunday morning when we board the bus again to return to the dig. We are always able to worship together on Sunday mornings before heading back to the dig.
Weekends are free for us to explore, rest, travel, etc. So far, I’ve spent my weekends either in Jerusalem or at the Dead Sea.
When will you be going on another archeological expedition this year?
Hello Judy,
I plan to depart on July 5th for the Khirbet Qeiyafa excavation. I’ll be there for two weeks, along with three other people who are coming with me. If you’re interested in joining an expedition, feel free to get in touch with me by email at LukeChandler@verizon -dot- net.
Best wishes,
Luke
Hello Luke, I read and enjoyed some of your blog about Qeiyafa; what I wanted to know is can you tell me precisely where on the site they found the inscription that Garfinlkel claims is the oldest Hebrew inscription yet found. I am a guide and familiar with the place – the two gates, the walls, the command post in the middle etc. And I am taking a group there this coming Sunday. I like to get the details right if I can.
Thank you.
Hello Jeff,
I wrote a post on the exact location of the Qeiyafa ostracon at the site. It was found near the western gate (the one facing Tel Azekah) in a room just north of the gate complex. It was the interior room connecting to the second casemate from the gate. Here is the post showing these details. https://lukechandler.wordpress.com/2012/01/25/where-exactly-was-khirbet-qeiyafa-ostracon-discovered/
Good luck and best wishes,
Luke
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Thank you, Frank. A Happy New Year to you and yours.
I’m working on a way to make a trip to the Cincy area with my family, hopefully this year. If it works out I would love to connect over coffee, etc.
Wonderful … keep me posted!
Pastor Chandler,
I just saw your marvelous picture of a recreation of an ancient home that says it was taken at the Semitic museum at Harvard. I was wondering if I could have your permission to use it as I speak at Christian women’s events and also at youth conferences and retreats. The next such conference will be the Teen Leadership Conference at Summit University which will be held in July. Thank you!
You may certainly use the photo. Just credit it to to Luke Chandler. Best wishes for your presentations!
So kind of you; thank you!
Do you by any chance have a high resolution version of this image?
Yes. I will send to the email I see on your profile. Please let me know if it does not arrive by the end of today.
Just received it; thank you so much!
Luke,
Hello my name is Rob Baker, I am a graphic designer for a non-profit Christian company called Apologetics Press, Inc. I am working on a kids magazine called “Discovery”. In the August’s issue we are discussing some of the Archaeological finds that proof the inspiration of the Bible. One of the articles deals with the Nazareth house that was discovered in 2009. I was wondering if I could get permission (with attributes) to use the image of that dig site that you have at the following link: https://lukechandler.wordpress.com/2009/12/21/first-discovered-jesus-era-house-in-nazareth/
Thanks,
Rob
rob@apologeticspress.org
Hello Rob,
Thanks for your note. The photo you mention is not mine, but was provided courtesy of the Israel Antiquities Authority. For some reason I didn’t include that attribution in the original post. If you can find the image in the IAA’s archives, I’m sure they will grant permission. For blogs like mine, we are typically free to use images as long as they are used for teaching purposes, and if we provide attribution. I am going to correct attribution mistake on my blog.
Regards,
Luke
LukeChandler@verison.net