Sennacherib.27s Prism of Nineveh Hezekiah

six-sided clay prism containing narratives of sennacherib s military campaigns, oriental institute museum of chicago university

sennacherib s prism found buried in foundations of nineveh palace. written in cuneiform, mesopotamian form of writing of day. prism records conquest of 46 strong towns , uncountable smaller places, along siege of jerusalem sennacherib says shut him up...like bird in cage, subsequently enforcing larger tribute upon him.

the hebrew bible states during night, angel of jehovah (yhwh hebrew) brought death 185,000 assyrians troops (2 kings 19:35), forcing army abandon siege, yet records tribute paid sennacherib of 300 silver talents following siege. there no account of supernatural event in prism. sennacherib s account records levying of tribute hezekiah, king of judea, within jerusalem, leaving city 1 intact following exile of northern ten-tribe kingdom of israel due idolatry. (2 kings 17:22,23; 2 kings 18:1-8) sennacherib recorded payment of 800 silver talents, suggests capitulation end siege. however, inscriptions have been discovered describing sennacherib’s defeat of ethiopian forces. these say: “as hezekiah, jew, did not submit yoke, laid siege 46 of strong cities . . . , conquered (them) . . . himself made prisoner in jerusalem, royal residence, bird in cage.” (ancient near eastern texts, p. 288) not claim have captured city. consistent bible account of hezekiah’s revolt against assyria in sense neither account seems indicate sennacherib ever entered or formally captured city. sennacherib in inscription claims hezekiah paid tribute 800 talents of silver, in contrast bible’s 300, due boastful exaggeration not uncommon amongst kings of period. furthermore, annals record list of booty sent jerusalem nineveh. in inscription, sennacherib claims hezekiah accepted servitude, , theorize hezekiah remained on throne vassal ruler. campaign recorded differences in assyrian records , in biblical books of kings; there agreement assyrian have propensity exaggeration.

one theory takes biblical view posits defeat caused possibly outbreak of bubonic plague (303). composite text makes use of legendary motif analogous of exodus story.

where 2 kings account explains giving 300 talents of silver, sennacherib s prism records 800 talents. discrepancy may result of differences in weight of assyrian , israelite silver talents, or may due assyrian propensity exaggeration (558).




^ james b. pritchard, ed., ancient near eastern texts related old testament (princeton, nj: princeton university press, 1965) 287–288.
^ cite error: named reference archaeological bible invoked never defined (see page).
^ grayson 1991, p. 110.
^ grabbe 2003, p. 314.
^ grabbe 2003, p. 308-309.
^ zondervan handbook bible. grand rapids: lion publishing, 1999.
^ isaiah 1–39: introduction prophetic literature | marvin alan sweeney | wm. b. eerdmans publishing, 1996 | pg 476