The True Story Of The Assyrian Conquest Of Judah

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The True Story of the Assyrian Conquest of Judah
November 11, 2020 RELIGION Wally Wright The True Story of the Assyrian Conquest of Judah

The Old Testament says that good King Hezekiah fended off the Assyrian army at Jerusalem, but his triumph was undone by bad King Manasseh. Archaeology proves otherwise.

Instead of scurrying home in defeat, did the Assyrians actually successfully conquer Jerusalem?

Instead of scurrying home in defeat, did the Assyrians actually successfully conquer Jerusalem?

It just doesn’t seem fair that the fate of an entire kingdom would be dependent upon its king’s behavior — namely whether or not he worshiped other gods besides YHWH (Yahweh).

But that’s exactly what happens throughout the Old Testament. In general, the kingdom of Judah fared much better than its northern neighbor, Israel, which was ultimately laid to waste by Assyria.

“A contemporary record explains how Sennacherib laid siege to city after city throughout Judah, conquering them with ramps and battering rams. He captured King Hezekiah and kept him “like a bird in a cage.” ”
The Bible tells us that King Hezekiah defeated the Assyrians with divine intervention. But archaeological evidence from the time suggests otherwise.

The Bible tells us that King Hezekiah defeated the Assyrians with divine intervention. But archaeological evidence from the time suggests otherwise.

Hezekiah and the Miraculous Defeat of Assyria

With King Sargon II of Assyria dead since 705 BCE, Hezekiah (who reigned from 727-698 BCE) decided it was time to rebel, entering a coalition backed by Egypt. Of course, that prompted the new ruler of Assyria, Sennacherib, to gather his formidable army and march upon Judah.

The book of 2 Kings in the Bible tells the story of a miraculous defeat: The Angel of the Lord went forth, slaying 185,000 soldiers in the Assyrian camp. Needless to say, that frightened King Sennacherib enough that he scurried home — only to be murdered by two of his sons.

After his supposed defeat, the Assyrian ruler Sennacherib was killed by two of his own sons.

After his supposed defeat, the Assyrian ruler Sennacherib was killed by two of his own sons.

For some reason, Hezekiah’s son and successor, Manasseh (698-642 BCE), isn’t impressed enough with the power of Yahweh to insist upon sole worship of the deity. He makes a theological about-face, and even goes so far as to burn his son as an offering to one of the local gods, practice soothsaying and augury, and deal with mediums and wizards. (Sounds like fun to me — except for the human sacrifice bit.)

The evil King Manasseh had to repent for his sins in the Old Testament — but historical evidence doesn’t jibe with the Bible’s version of events.

The evil King Manasseh had to repent for his sins in the Old Testament — but historical evidence doesn’t jibe with the Bible’s version of events.

Archaeology Tells a Different Story

Were the Assyrians defeated during their invasion of Judah? If the story in the Old Testament seems almost too fantastical to believe, that’s because it probably is. Archaeological evidence — granted, some from the Assyrian point of view — tells another version.

A contemporary record explains how Sennacherib laid siege to city after city throughout Judah, conquering them with ramps and battering rams. He captured King Hezekiah and kept him prisoner in his palace, “like a bird in a cage,” while the Assyrian army plundered his land.

So who’s telling the truth? The authors of the Bible or the Assyrian historians?

Bad news for biblical literalists: “The devastation of the Judahite cities can be seen in almost every mound excavated in the Judean hinterland,” write Israel Finkelstein and Neil Asher Silberman in The Bible Unearthed: Archaeology’s New Vision of Ancient Israel and the Origin of Its Sacred Texts.

Sennacherib, the ruler of Assyria at the time of Hezekiah and Manasseh

Sennacherib, the ruler of Assyria at the time of Hezekiah and Manasseh

Manasseh and Assyria

Perhaps Manasseh is remembered so poorly because he actually became one of Assyria’s most loyal vassal states — despite the prosperity it brought.

“[A] seventh century text reporting tribute given by south Levantine states to the Assyrian king indicates that Judah’s tribute was considerably smaller than that paid by the neighboring, poorer Assyrian vassals Ammon and Moab,” write Finkelstein and Silverman.

Manasseh was said to be captured and marched to Assyria in chains — including one through his nose. But a contemporary record says it was Hezekiah who was captured and kept “like a bird in a cage.”

Manasseh was said to be captured and marched to Assyria in chains — including one through his nose. But a contemporary record says it was Hezekiah who was captured and kept “like a bird in a cage.”

In another document, Manasseh is reported as giving gifts to the Assyrian king and helping him conquer Egypt. And while this certainly would have displeased anyone who wanted a free, unified kingdom of Israel, Manasseh’s long reign of 55 years was a peaceful time for Judah.

The Defeat of Sennacherib by Peter Paul Rubens, 17th century

The Defeat of Sennacherib by Peter Paul Rubens, 17th century

“For all the Bible’s talk of Hezekiah’s piety and YHWH’s saving intervention, Assyria was the only victor,” Finkelstein and Silverman write. “Sennacherib fully achieved his goals: he broke the resistance of Judah and subjugated it. Hezekiah had inherited a prosperous state, and Sennacherib destroyed it.”

The author of the books of Kings seems to have hoped that by the time he wrote his version of the account, people would have forgotten what actually had happened. For centuries, this is what people have believed — until archeological evidence has come along to prove them wrong. –Wally

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Magic Mushrooms. The unconventional and modern marvel of Metropol Parasol, known as Las Setas (The Mushrooms) by locals, took root in Seville’s Plaza de la Encarnación in 2011. Designed by German architect Jürgen Mayer, the structur Last summer Wally and I had the pleasure of visiting the garden of chef and philanthropist @rick_bayless. Bayless opened Frontera Grill in 1987 forever changing the face of Mexican food in Chicago. The production garden supplies his three downtown re No Straight Jacket Required. When Wally and I revisited my former stomping grounds in Buffalo, we couldn’t resist the chance to tour the empty patient wards of the Buffalo State Asylum for the Insane. I had only been able to admire them from a The Library is Open! It’s fun to be a tourist in your own city. I can’t believe it took us this long to visit the incredible Newberry Library. Its collections span an Aston six centuries, making it a treasure trove of knowledge. And that The Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán is a masterclass in Mexican Baroque. A literal visual feast for the eyes, the church’s highly decorated interior includes use of more than 60,000 sheets of gold leaf. Its façade is decorated w I was initially reluctant about visiting Hierve el Agua, the calcified waterfalls and spring-fed mineral water pools outside of the city of Oaxaca de Juárez. The popular geologic wonder is located in the town of San Isidro Roaguía, in t San Miguel de Allende is a town with art in its DNA. There are galleries galore and shops full of colorful folk art. But we knew that one of the places we had to add to our itinerary was the Fábrica La Aurora. It just sounded so interesting: I If you’re planning a trip to San Miguel de Allende and are looking for something fun and unusual to do, be sure to set some time aside for a visit to the Chapel of Jimmy Ray. The mosaic wonderland filled with art and assemblages by the late art I’ll admit it, I’m a fan of @andresgandresg. When the time came for us to find the perfect place to stay in San Miguel de Allende, and I saw that @casahoyos was another one of his projects, the decision for me was easy. The boutique hote The colorful #fantastical #woodcarving creatures known as #alebrijes were inspired by an artist’s fever dream. Learn more about our favorite #mexican #folkart #artepopular #handicraft. Link in bio. #travel #travelblogger #mexico🇲🇽 #oaxaca # Sweat to Reset. The herb-infused indigenous steam ritual #temazcal opens your mind as well as your pores. Plus, you won’t believe how they cleanse you of negative energy. Learn more about this Mesoamerican tradition and why we highly recommend There’s No Place Like Home. Located on a quiet stretch of Calle Miguel Hidalgo in the Centro of Oaxaca City, @casaantonieta was more than just a hotel for Wally and I. It was our home away from home. Plus it included the hip @muss_cafe with gre Folk Yes! Linda Hanna’s home contains an incredible collection of handmade #folkart pieces from the surrounding villages around #Oaxaca. If you have a passion for folk art as Wally and I do, Oaxaca should be on your Mexico itinerary. And there& @palaciooficial is more than just a pretty building. Head inside for strange #murals by famous #artists, including #diegorivera and #orozco. They’re also infamous, whether it’s because they’re #communist propaganda or feature a hide Walking around #PuertoVallarta is a bit like being in an outdoor art gallery. #Murals #streetart and #graffiti can be found all over. #Mexico has a long history of this public art form. Click our link for more photos — and learn how some of the Viva La Revolución. Masala y Maíz checked every box for us: a delicious blend of Mexican, African and Indian cuisine, great service, a pleasing atmosphere and a business philosophy we can get behind. Learn why this restaurant stands out Shop ‘Til You Drop. If you’re looking to purchase folk art, handicrafts and arte popular from all over Mexico such as brightly painted alebrije wood carvings from Oaxaca and hand-embroidered Otomi textiles, head to the @mercadodeartesania

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