Icons of the Bible: Tiglath - Pileser III - Punisher of Israel
Tiglath-Pileser of Assyria invades Israel
2 Kings 15:19-22 During a time of upheaval and political instability, King Tiglath-Pileser III of Assyria (called ‘Pul’ - the short version of his name - in 2 Kings 15:19) invades Israel in 738BC (see 1 on Map 59). He is paid off by King Menahem and withdraws, but later returns.
The Assyrians
The ancient kingdom of Assyria (extending across the undulating plains in the north of modern-day Iraq, the west of modern-day Iran, the south of modern-day Turkey and the east of modern-day Syria) was established before 2000BC. It grew up around the cities of Ashur (Assur), Nineveh and Arbel on the banks of the Upper Tigris.Assyria grew wealthy by growing barley and flax on the fertile plains, and trading textiles for precious metals from the Cappadocian cities of the Anatolian Plateau to the north west. Trading agreements and transactions were recorded in Akkadian cuneiform on clay tablets.The Biblical ‘Table of Nations’ classifies the inhabitants of Ashur (in modern-day Iraq) as Semitic descendents of Noah’s son Shem (see Genesis 10:22). From the 20th to the 15th century BC, Assyria governed most of Upper Mesopotamia, though its influence subsequently waned until the 9th century BC, when the Assyrian Empire again began to expand. In c.875BC, King Ashurnasirpel II of Assyria built a new palace at Calah (Nimrud) (just south of Nineveh). The palace had walls constructed of mud bricks faced by more resistant baked bricks. Bas-reliefs showing Assyrian archers and the king in his chariot can be seen in the British Museum in London. The capital was moved to Nineveh, about 60 miles / 96 km upstream near Mosul in modern-day Iraq, during the late 9th century BC.." from the article: Tiglath-Pileser of Assyria invades Israel
Tiglath-Pileser III: Digging for Truth
Video from Associates for Biblical Research
"Premiered Mar 7, 2021
Today, we will be discussing the Assyrian Empire of the Ancient Near Eastern and its relationship with the Israelites during the divided monarchy. Bryan Windle will join us to tell us about Tiglath Pileser III in particular, one of the most powerful Assyrian kings from this era. Tiglath Pileser was also known as Pul, and both names are found in the Bible and in Assyrian records. We’ll also be talking about Assyrian inscriptions that mention various Israelite kings." from video introduction