Question
How old is Jerusalem?
Answer
Jerusalem (probably) is mentioned in the Egyptian “execration texts” and the Tel-el-Amarna letters; the latter date from 3500 years ago and the former from even earlier. Malki-Tzedek, king of Shalem (Jerusalem) in Abraham’s time (3700+ years ago), is identified by the sages with Shem son of Noah. Thus both historical and traditional sources agree that the city is close to 4000 years old.