Thesis (M.A.)--Columbia Graduate School of Bible and Missions, 1987. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves [59]-66).

This thesis has attempted a reconstruction of Sennacherib’s campaign against Judah in 701. The purpose of this resconstruction has not been to reach a definitive picture of the events of 701 but rather to come to the best possible hypothesis based upon a wide study of the relevant texts. The best historical hypothesis concerning what happened in 701 must attempt to give equal weight to each piece of evidence in each relevant area, whether literary or archaeological. My justification for returning to this much-discussed area therefore is that previous scholarship has failed to meet this criterion for giving the best historical hypothesis. Over the course of my investigation I examined the relevant Assyrian inscriptions, not merely those relating to the third campaign, and the purported instances of biblical evidence, as well as engaging with archaeological and literary considerations. I showed that the most important theories offered up to this point each contradict or contend with an important piece of contrary evidence. Then, I suggested a view of my own which is, as far as possible, commensurate with all the evidence available.

O presente trabalho analisa as fontes bíblicas e extrabíblicas que fazem referência à incursão militar do rei assírio Senaqueribe em Judá durante o período do reinado de Ezequias, em 701 a.E.C. Inicia-se com uma revisão bibliográfica do tema nos últimos dois séculos, seguida de uma breve contextualização histórica das relações entre os Reinos de Israel e Judá e o Império Assírio durante o séc. VIII a.E.C., com atenção especial ao reinado de Ezequias, rei de Judá. Em seguida, apresenta-se de forma sucinta as evidências arqueológicas da destruição causada pelo exército assírio no Reino de Judá durante a campanha do rei Senaqueribe em 701 a.E.C., especialmente os dados da escavação da cidade de Laquis, cuja estratigrafia e abundante presença de um tipo específico de jarro foram fundamentais para verificar a extensão da devastação assíria. Segue-se a análise das fontes assírias, a saber: o relato da terceira campanha do rei Senaqueribe, registrada nos Anais Reais Assírios; a inscrição da conquista de duas cidades do rei Ezequias durante essa campanha, documentada em dois fragmentos; e o painel do palácio sudoeste do rei Senaqueribe em Nínive, cujos relevos retratam a conquista da cidade judaíta de Laquis. Em seguida, expõe-se a história de autoria de Heródoto sobre uma expedição frustrada do rei Senaqueribe ao Egito e uma breve introdução aos livros bíblicos de Reis, Isaías e Crônicas, acompanhada da análise das narrativas da invasão de Senaqueribe nos respectivos livros (IIRs 18:13-19:37, Is 36-37; IICr 32:1-23). Por fim, apresentam-se algumas considerações finais a partir da análise e comparação das fontes. / This paper examines the biblical and extra-biblical sources of the military expedition of the Assyrian king Sennacherib in Judah during the reign of Hezekiah in 701 B.C. The work begins with the literature review of the topic for the last two centuries, followed by a brief historical background of the relations between the Kingdoms of Israel and Judah and the Assyrian Empire during the 8th century B.C., with special attention to the reign of Hezekiah king of Judah. After that, it is presented briefly the archaeological evidence of the destruction caused by the Assyrian army in the Kingdom of Judah during the king Sennacherib\'s campaign in 701 B.C., especially the excavation data of the city of Lachish, whose stratigraphy and abundant presence of a specific type of jars were essential to verify the extent of Assyrian devastation. It follows the analysis of the Assyrian sources, namely: the account of the third campaign of the king Sennacherib, registered in the Assyrian Royal Annals; the description of the conquest of two cities of the king Hezekiah during this campaign, documented in two fragments; and the reliefs of Sennacheribs southwest palace in Nineveh, whose slabs depict the conquest of the Judahite city of Lachish. Next, it is exposed Herodotus\' story of a failed expedition of the king Sennacherib to Egypt and a brief introduction to the biblical books of Kings, Isaiah and Chronicles, along with the analysis of the narratives of Sennacherib\'s invasion in these books (IIKgs 18: 13- 19: 37, Isa 36-37; IIChr 32: 1-23). Finally, some concluding remarks are presented from the analysis and comparison of the sources.

O presente trabalho analisa as fontes bíblicas e extrabíblicas que fazem referência à incursão militar do rei assírio Senaqueribe em Judá durante o período do reinado de Ezequias, em 701 a.E.C. Inicia-se com uma revisão bibliográfica do tema nos últimos dois séculos, seguida de uma breve contextualização histórica das relações entre os Reinos de Israel e Judá e o Império Assírio durante o séc. VIII a.E.C., com atenção especial ao reinado de Ezequias, rei de Judá. Em seguida, apresenta-se de forma sucinta as evidências arqueológicas da destruição causada pelo exército assírio no Reino de Judá durante a campanha do rei Senaqueribe em 701 a.E.C., especialmente os dados da escavação da cidade de Laquis, cuja estratigrafia e abundante presença de um tipo específico de jarro foram fundamentais para verificar a extensão da devastação assíria. Segue-se a análise das fontes assírias, a saber: o relato da terceira campanha do rei Senaqueribe, registrada nos Anais Reais Assírios; a inscrição da conquista de duas cidades do rei Ezequias durante essa campanha, documentada em dois fragmentos; e o painel do palácio sudoeste do rei Senaqueribe em Nínive, cujos relevos retratam a conquista da cidade judaíta de Laquis. Em seguida, expõe-se a história de autoria de Heródoto sobre uma expedição frustrada do rei Senaqueribe ao Egito e uma breve introdução aos livros bíblicos de Reis, Isaías e Crônicas, acompanhada da análise das narrativas da invasão de Senaqueribe nos respectivos livros (IIRs 18:13-19:37, Is 36-37; IICr 32:1-23). Por fim, apresentam-se algumas considerações finais a partir da análise e comparação das fontes. / This paper examines the biblical and extra-biblical sources of the military expedition of the Assyrian king Sennacherib in Judah during the reign of Hezekiah in 701 B.C. The work begins with the literature review of the topic for the last two centuries, followed by a brief historical background of the relations between the Kingdoms of Israel and Judah and the Assyrian Empire during the 8th century B.C., with special attention to the reign of Hezekiah king of Judah. After that, it is presented briefly the archaeological evidence of the destruction caused by the Assyrian army in the Kingdom of Judah during the king Sennacherib\'s campaign in 701 B.C., especially the excavation data of the city of Lachish, whose stratigraphy and abundant presence of a specific type of jars were essential to verify the extent of Assyrian devastation. It follows the analysis of the Assyrian sources, namely: the account of the third campaign of the king Sennacherib, registered in the Assyrian Royal Annals; the description of the conquest of two cities of the king Hezekiah during this campaign, documented in two fragments; and the reliefs of Sennacheribs southwest palace in Nineveh, whose slabs depict the conquest of the Judahite city of Lachish. Next, it is exposed Herodotus\' story of a failed expedition of the king Sennacherib to Egypt and a brief introduction to the biblical books of Kings, Isaiah and Chronicles, along with the analysis of the narratives of Sennacherib\'s invasion in these books (IIKgs 18: 13- 19: 37, Isa 36-37; IIChr 32: 1-23). Finally, some concluding remarks are presented from the analysis and comparison of the sources.

O presente trabalho expõe o período em que Ezequias exerceu a regência do reino de Judá no final do século 8 a.e.c. até o início do século 7 a.e.c. Para tanto, foram abordados os seguintes temas: a definição da sua época, a explanação das fontes descobertas até a data de elaboração desta dissertação e, ainda, os trechos relevantes da Bíblia. Para subsidiar o estudo sobre a época do rei Ezequias, procurou-se demonstrar suas ações dentro de um cenário político-militar da região do Antigo Oriente. Para isso, foram pesquisadas as atuações de reis vizinhos, incluindo os registros epigráficos por eles deixados. Procurou-se, ainda, apresentar as controvérsias entre a pesquisa bíblica e a arqueológica-epigráfica da época, através de publicações de historiadores estudiosos da Bíblia e arqueólogos, que às vezes concordam e outras divergem a respeito da análise das descobertas. A atual contestação mundial quanto à veracidade da narrativa bíblica como relato histórico confiável do povo de Israel na antiguidade, torna essa pesquisa relevante por trazer ao leitor interessado uma parte do presente debate. / This work reveals the period that Hizkiah ruled over Judea at the end of the 8th and beginning of the 7th century BCE. Therefore, the following sources were approached: the definition of his era, presentation of the discoveries until the day of the elaboration of this essay, as well as passages from the Bible. To substantiate this study about the era of King Hizkiah, we have approached his actions within the political-military scenery in the Ancient Orient. To achieve that, the actions of neighboring rulers as well as epigraphic documents, which were left behind, has been analyzed. The controversy between biblical research and archaeologicalepigraphic finds of this period, where confronted, with the aid of the Bible historians publications as well as archaeologists publications, which sometimes agree and other times differ, regarding the analysis of the discoveries. Within the present world discussion about the veracity of the Bible as a trusty historical source on the life of the people of Israel in ancient times, this research becomes relevant as it brings the interested reader to be aware of this current debate.

O presente trabalho expõe o período em que Ezequias exerceu a regência do reino de Judá no final do século 8 a.e.c. até o início do século 7 a.e.c. Para tanto, foram abordados os seguintes temas: a definição da sua época, a explanação das fontes descobertas até a data de elaboração desta dissertação e, ainda, os trechos relevantes da Bíblia. Para subsidiar o estudo sobre a época do rei Ezequias, procurou-se demonstrar suas ações dentro de um cenário político-militar da região do Antigo Oriente. Para isso, foram pesquisadas as atuações de reis vizinhos, incluindo os registros epigráficos por eles deixados. Procurou-se, ainda, apresentar as controvérsias entre a pesquisa bíblica e a arqueológica-epigráfica da época, através de publicações de historiadores estudiosos da Bíblia e arqueólogos, que às vezes concordam e outras divergem a respeito da análise das descobertas. A atual contestação mundial quanto à veracidade da narrativa bíblica como relato histórico confiável do povo de Israel na antiguidade, torna essa pesquisa relevante por trazer ao leitor interessado uma parte do presente debate. / This work reveals the period that Hizkiah ruled over Judea at the end of the 8th and beginning of the 7th century BCE. Therefore, the following sources were approached: the definition of his era, presentation of the discoveries until the day of the elaboration of this essay, as well as passages from the Bible. To substantiate this study about the era of King Hizkiah, we have approached his actions within the political-military scenery in the Ancient Orient. To achieve that, the actions of neighboring rulers as well as epigraphic documents, which were left behind, has been analyzed. The controversy between biblical research and archaeologicalepigraphic finds of this period, where confronted, with the aid of the Bible historians publications as well as archaeologists publications, which sometimes agree and other times differ, regarding the analysis of the discoveries. Within the present world discussion about the veracity of the Bible as a trusty historical source on the life of the people of Israel in ancient times, this research becomes relevant as it brings the interested reader to be aware of this current debate.

Located in an isolated gorge in Iraqi Kurdistan, the Neo-Assyrian rock reliefs at Khinnis are unusual for their size, shape, and subject matter. The most striking of these is the enormous Great Relief, the largest single Assyrian sculpture in existence, which depicts a pair of gods attended by the duplicated figure of the Assyrian king. Both the Great Relief and the other sculptures of the Khinnis site were carved on the orders of Sennacherib (r. 705-688 BCE), to commemorate the canal head he constructed there. The Great Relief itself was positioned over the exact juncture wherein the waters of the river Gomel were canalized and sent on their way towards Nineveh, designated by Sennacherib as Assyria’s new imperial capital, irrigating fields and orchards along the way. In this thesis I examine the composition and iconography of the Great Relief, both in the context of Sennacherib’s irrigation programs and the inscription carved at the Khinnis site. This inscription contains a curiously bifurcated account of both Sennacherib’s civil works in Assyria and his brutal sack of Babylon in 689. In both cases, Sennacherib emphasizes his ingenious technical ability to manipulate water for the benefit of the Assyrian state, either through the creative irrigation of the Assyrian heartland and the new capital, or the destructive flooding and leveling of Babylon. I argue that the dichotomy presented by these activities, a dualism of “nurture and control” through technical expertise, is a persistent theme throughout the rhetoric of Sennacherib’s inscriptions and reliefs. Through a close analysis of the Khinnis inscription, the Assyrian tradition of landscape sculpture, and the emblematic and narrative strategies employed in palatial relief programs, I argue that the Great Relief at Khinnis is an emblematic image of the dualistic ideology of Sennacherib’s reign. Ultimately, the Great Relief stands as a carefully devised visual statement about the nature of state power, consciously created by Sennacherib to signal his conceptual re-founding of the Assyrian empire. / text

Most studies done on the subject of this mini-dissertation have only focused on the differences in chronological detail and text – searching for the facts behind the different accounts. Much attention has thus been paid to the historicity of the various texts and the way in which the different accounts affect each others credibility. But is this the only research to be done? The contention of this mini-dissertation is that to only look at the different texts surrounding Sennacherib’s third campaign through the eyes of a modern historian is to lose the unique and significant message that the various texts wanted to convey. An event only forms part of the construction of a meaningful whole by the author; thus it can be found in various stories at different places and with varying significance attached to it, without meaning that the account of which it forms a part is neither important nor historical. It only means that the authors of the various ancient accounts wanted to achieve different outcomes with their retelling of the original story. For this reason it is important to be able to enter the world represented in, and the mind of the writer of, the ancient texts – allowing the ideology and intentions of the author to be brought to the fore and the text to speak with its own voice, not that of the modern historian. To achieve this requires knowledge of the different symbols, concepts and the meanings attached to them by the ancient societies – shifting the attention to the texts themselves by looking at the way in which the events were narrated as well as what events were narrated; thus revealing the ultimate meaning and purpose of the various texts. The intention of this mini-dissertation is to study the various texts from the underdeveloped angle discussed above, namely ideology and social values. In doing so it is proposed that a new significance will be revealed for the various texts. Research done on the subject of this mini-dissertation has mostly focused on whether there was a single campaign in 701 BC; or two campaigns, one in 701 and one later; or whether chronological difficulties should be explained as arising from the perspective of an author who wrote much later than the actual events occurred. Most studies have only focused on the differences in chronological detail and text – searching for the facts behind the different accounts. Much attention has thus been paid to the historicity of the various texts and the way in which the different accounts affect each others credibility. But is this the only research to be done? The contention of this mini-dissertation is that to only look at the different texts surrounding Sennacherib’s third campaign through the eyes of a modern historian is to lose the unique and significant message that the various texts wanted to convey. An event only forms part of the construction of a meaningful whole by the author; thus it can be found in various stories at different places and with varying significance attached to it, without meaning that the account of which it forms a part is neither important nor historical. It only means that the authors of the various ancient accounts wanted to achieve different outcomes with their retelling of the original story. For this reason it is important to be able to enter the world represented in, and the mind of the writer of, the ancient texts – allowing the ideology and intentions of the author to be brought to the fore and the text to speak with its own voice, not that of the modern historian. To achieve this requires knowledge of the different symbols, concepts and the meanings attached to them by the ancient societies – shifting the attention to the texts themselves by looking at the way in which the events were narrated as well as what events were narrated; thus revealing the ultimate meaning and purpose of the various texts. The intention of this mini-dissertation is to study the various texts from the underdeveloped angle discussed above, namely ideology and social values. The question as to why the various narratives were written as they were will be the focus of this work, pushing aside the modern paradigm and analytical methods which so often focus on the idiosyncrasies instead of the commonalities. In doing so it is proposed that a new significance will be revealed for the various texts. / Dissertation (MA (Ancient Languages and Cultures))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Ancient Languages / unrestricted

Revision of the author's thesis (Ph. D.), University of Toronto, 2008. / Bibliogr.: p. [201]-216.

The question leading this study is whether or not the contents of Hezekiah‘s storehouses and treasuries (2 Ki 20:13, 2 Chr 32:25-28 and Is 39:2) defy or reflect the reality of the Judaean domestic economy in the late 8th – early 7th century BCE. I have adopted a multidisciplinary and holistic approach, considering the literary, political, economic, religious, and socio-cultural dimensions of Hezekiah‘s reign. The study concludes that revenue from agriculture could not have been Hezekiah‘s only source of income. Local goods and taxes were insufficient in volume and value to account for the extent of Hezekiah‘s wealth. While the religious reforms and cult centralisation introduced by Hezekiah would have generated considerable income, alternative sources must have been available to the king. Tolls, taxes, and customs imposed on the international trade traversing the Levant contributed significantly. Examination of the available archaeological evidence reflects a prosperous economy, one that favoured a powerful minority. / Biblical and Ancient studies / M. A. (Biblical Archaeology)