Topical Encyclopedia Historical ContextAssyria was a dominant Mesopotamian empire known for its military prowess and expansionist policies. During the 8th century BC, Assyria reached the height of its power, exerting influence over much of the Near East. The Assyrian Empire was characterized by its advanced administrative system, monumental architecture, and a formidable army that utilized iron weapons and siege tactics. Shalmaneser V Shalmaneser V reigned as king of Assyria from 727 to 722 BC. He was the son of Tiglath-Pileser III, a king known for his military campaigns and administrative reforms. Shalmaneser V continued his father's policies, focusing on consolidating Assyrian control over the region. His reign is most notably marked by his involvement with the northern kingdom of Israel. The Captivity of Israel The biblical account of Shalmaneser V's interaction with Israel is primarily found in the book of 2 Kings. During the reign of Hoshea, the last king of Israel, Shalmaneser V laid siege to Samaria, the capital of the northern kingdom. This event is recorded in 2 Kings 17:3-6 : "Shalmaneser king of Assyria attacked him, and Hoshea became his vassal and paid him tribute. But the king of Assyria discovered that Hoshea had conspired, sending envoys to So king of Egypt, and he had not paid tribute to the king of Assyria as in previous years. Therefore, the king of Assyria arrested him and put him in prison. Then the king of Assyria invaded the entire land, marched up to Samaria, and besieged it for three years. In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria captured Samaria and deported the Israelites to Assyria. He settled them in Halah, in Gozan on the Habor River, and in the cities of the Medes." This passage highlights the political dynamics of the time, with Israel caught between the powerful empires of Assyria and Egypt. Hoshea's attempt to ally with Egypt against Assyria ultimately led to his downfall and the fall of Samaria. Theological Significance The captivity of Israel under Shalmaneser V is a pivotal moment in biblical history. It marks the end of the northern kingdom and serves as a fulfillment of prophetic warnings given by prophets such as Amos and Hosea. These prophets had called Israel to repentance, warning of impending judgment due to their idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness. The Assyrian captivity is seen as a divine judgment upon Israel for their persistent rebellion against God. 2 Kings 17:7-8 states: "All this took place because the Israelites had sinned against the LORD their God, who had brought them up out of the land of Egypt and had feared other gods. They had walked in the customs of the nations that the LORD had driven out before the Israelites, as well as in the practices introduced by the kings of Israel." Legacy The deportation of the Israelites by Shalmaneser V led to the dispersion of the ten northern tribes, often referred to as the "Lost Tribes of Israel." This event had lasting implications for the identity and history of the Jewish people. The Assyrian policy of deportation and resettlement was intended to prevent rebellion by breaking the cultural and social cohesion of conquered peoples. Shalmaneser V's actions set a precedent for future Assyrian kings and their dealings with rebellious vassal states. The fall of Samaria and the subsequent Assyrian captivity remain a sobering reminder of the consequences of turning away from God's covenant and the importance of faithfulness to His commands. Torrey's Topical Textbook 2 Kings 17:5,6Then the king of Assyria came up throughout all the land, and went up to Samaria, and besieged it three years. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library The Assyrian Captivity The Prophet Hosea. Nineveh. Babylonia and Assyria Sargon of Assyria (722-705 BC ) The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal The Antiquities of the Jews The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria Appendices Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ... Resources Who was Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz? | GotQuestions.orgWho were the Assyrians in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Why were infants dashed to pieces (Nahum 3:10)? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Assyria: Alliances With, Sought by Judah and Israel Assyria: An Empire Founded by Nimrod Assyria: Antiquity and Origin of Assyria: Army of, Destroyed by the Angel of the Lord Assyria: As a Power, Was: An Instrument of God's Vengeance Assyria: As a Power, Was: Cruel and Destructive Assyria: As a Power, Was: Intolerant and Oppressive Assyria: As a Power, Was: Most Formidable Assyria: As a Power, Was: Proud and Haughty Assyria: As a Power, Was: Selfish and Reserved Assyria: As a Power, Was: Unfaithful Assyria: Called: The Land of Nimrod Assyria: Celebrated For: Extensive Commerce Assyria: Celebrated For: Extent of Conquests Assyria: Celebrated For: Fertility Assyria: Chief Men of, Described Assyria: Condemned for Oppressing God's People Assyria: Idolatry of, Brought Into Samaria Assyria: Idolatry, the Religion of Assyria: Invaded by Pharaoh-Necho Assyria: Israel Condemned for Trusting To Assyria: Israelites Carried Captive Into Assyria: Israelites Subject To Assyria: It Extended from East of the Tigris Assyria: Its Armies Invade the Land of Israel Under Pul Assyria: Jews Carried Captive To Assyria: Judah Condemned for Trusting To Assyria: Manasseh Taken Captive To Assyria: Nineveh, Chief City of Assyria: Predictions Respecting: Conquest and Captivity of Israel By Assyria: Predictions Respecting: Conquest of Syria By Assyria: Predictions Respecting: Conquest of the Kenites By Assyria: Predictions Respecting: Destruction of Assyria: Predictions Respecting: Invasion of Judah By Assyria: Predictions Respecting: Participation in the Blessings of the Gospel Assyria: Predictions Respecting: Restoration of Israel From Assyria: Prophecies Concerning Assyria: Prophecies of Captivity of Israelites In Assyria: Pul King of Brought off by Menahem Assyria: Pul King of Invaded Israel Assyria: Sennacherib King of Assassinated by his Sons Assyria: Sennacherib King of Blasphemed the Lord Assyria: Sennacherib King of Bought off by Hezekiah Assyria: Sennacherib King of His Army Destroyed by God Assyria: Sennacherib King of Insulted and Threatened Judah Assyria: Sennacherib King of Invaded Judah Assyria: Sennacherib King of Prayed Against by Hezekiah Assyria: Sennacherib King of Reproved for Pride and Blasphemy Assyria: Shalmaneser King of Carried Israel Captive Assyria: Shalmaneser King of Imprisoned Hoshea Assyria: Shalmaneser King of Reduced Israel to Tribute Assyria: Shalmaneser King of Re-Peopled Samaria from Assyria Assyria: Shalmaneser King of Was Conspired Against by Hoshea Assyria: Situated Beyond the Euphrates Assyria: The Greatness, Extent, Duration, and Fall, Illustrated Assyria: The Jews Condemned for Following the Idolatries of Assyria: The Re-Peopling of Samaria From, Completed by Asnappar Assyria: Tiglathpileser King of Asked to Aid Ahaz Against Syria Assyria: Tiglathpileser King of Conquered Syria Assyria: Tiglathpileser King of Ravaged Israel Assyria: Tiglathpileser King of Took Money from Ahaz, But Strengthened Him Not Assyria: Watered by the River Tigris Related Terms Tiglath-pileser (6 Occurrences) Tiglathpileser (3 Occurrences) Tig'lath-pile'ser (3 Occurrences) Tillegath-pilneser (3 Occurrences) Tilgathpilneser (3 Occurrences) Tilgath-pilneser (3 Occurrences) Til'gath-pilne'ser (3 Occurrences) |
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