“When the Canaanite, the king of Arad, who lived in the Negev, heard that Israel was coming by the way of Atharim, and then he fought against Israel and took some of them captive. So Israel made a vow to the LORD and said, "If You will indeed deliver this people into my hand, then I will utterly destroy their cities." The LORD heard the voice of Israel and delivered up the Canaanites; then they utterly destroyed them and their cities. Thus the name of the place was called Hormah." Numbers 21:1-3

Tel Arad is one of the most fascinating biblical archeology discoveries in the Negev. It consists of an upper Israelite fortress called "The Citadel" from the Iron Age and a lower Canaanite city from the Bronze Age. The Canaanite city is one of the largest settlements from that era. Remains of an ancient well cistern can be seen, as well as a stone wall, four-room houses, and a Canaanite cultic center. The most interesting discoveries in Tel Arad were found in its upper Citadel. A mysterious temple structure was found complete with a Courtyard, Holy Place, and Holy of Holies with an altar made of mud, straw, and stone as the Old Testament had prescribed. An ostracon (pottery with inscription) was found referring to the "Temple of Yahweh". This temple was probably buried during King Josiah's reforms, although not destroyed, making it nearly completely intact.  This makes Arad the perfect place to discuss Josiah's reforms, Israel's failed conquest into Israel in Numbers 21, and the mysterious temple that is on the site.