Topical Encyclopedia Sarchedonus is a name that appears in the apocryphal Book of Tobit, which is part of the Deuterocanonical books recognized by some Christian traditions, though not included in the Hebrew Bible or Protestant Old Testament. The name Sarchedonus is often identified with Esarhaddon, the Assyrian king who reigned from 681 to 669 BC. Esarhaddon was the son of Sennacherib and succeeded him after his assassination.Historical Context Esarhaddon, known as Sarchedonus in the Book of Tobit, was a significant figure in the Neo-Assyrian Empire. His reign is noted for the rebuilding of Babylon, which had been destroyed by his father, Sennacherib. Esarhaddon sought to stabilize the region and maintain the empire's dominance over its territories, including Judah. His policies were marked by a combination of military campaigns and diplomatic efforts. Biblical References While the name Sarchedonus does not appear in the canonical books of the Bible, the historical figure of Esarhaddon is mentioned in the Book of 2 Kings and the Book of Isaiah. In 2 Kings 19:37 , it is recorded: "One day, while he was worshiping in the temple of his god Nisroch, his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer struck him down with the sword and escaped to the land of Ararat. And his son Esarhaddon reigned in his place." Similarly, Isaiah 37:38 recounts the same event, highlighting the transition of power to Esarhaddon. Role in the Book of Tobit In the Book of Tobit, Sarchedonus is mentioned as the king during whose reign Tobit returns to Nineveh after being blinded. Tobit 1:21 (from the Septuagint) states that after the death of Sennacherib, Sarchedonus, his son, reigned in his stead, and Tobit was able to return to his home. This narrative situates Sarchedonus within the broader account of Tobit's faithfulness and God's providence. Theological Significance From a theological perspective, the mention of Sarchedonus in the Book of Tobit serves to underscore themes of divine justice and restoration. The transition from Sennacherib to Sarchedonus marks a period of change and potential renewal for the exiled Israelites. The narrative reflects the belief in God's sovereignty over the affairs of nations and His ability to bring about redemption for His people, even through foreign rulers. Conclusion While Sarchedonus is not a figure found in the canonical texts of the Bible, his identification with Esarhaddon provides a historical anchor for understanding the geopolitical landscape of the ancient Near East during the time of the Assyrian Empire. His reign is a testament to the complex interplay between divine providence and human history, as seen through the lens of biblical and apocryphal literature. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia SARCHEDONUSsar-ked'-o-nus (Codex Vaticanus Sacherdonos; Codex Alexandrinus Sacherdan, but Sacherdonosos in Tobit 1:22): An incorrect spelling, both in the King James Version and the Revised Version (British and American), for Sacherdonus in Tobit 1:21, another form of Esar-haddon. Library Appendix. The Apocryphal Books of the Old Testament. Thesaurus Sarchedonus... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia SARCHEDONUS. sar-ked'-o-nus (Codex Vaticanus Sacherdonos; Codex Alexandrinus Sacherdan, but Sacherdonosos ... /s/sarchedonus.htm - 6k Tobit Achiacharus Anaharath (1 Occurrence) Saraph (3 Occurrences) Sard (1 Occurrence) Resources Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
    |