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Delve into the historical journey of Pekah, King of Israel, as portrayed in biblical accounts and validated by Assyrian inscriptions. Understand the complexities of his reign, the alliance with Aram, and the factors leading to his downfall, as corroborated by ancient records. A fascinating read for enthusiasts of biblical and Near Eastern history.

Pekah, the King of Israel, is a significant figure in biblical history, known for his 20-year reign and his involvement in regional politics and conflicts. His reign, contemporaneous with Judean Kings Azariah (Uzziah), Jotham, and Ahaz, began around 752 B.C.E. and provides insight into the complex political landscape of the ancient Near East during this period.

Rise to Power

Pekah, son of Remaliah, initially served as an adjutant to Israelite King Pekahiah. In the 52nd year of Uzziah’s reign (around 740 B.C.E.), Pekah, with the support of 50 men from Gilead, assassinated Pekahiah and ascended to the throne of Israel in Samaria (2 Kings 15:25, 27). His reign was marked by the continuation of idolatrous calf worship (2 Kings 15:28).

Alliance with Rezin and Conflict with Judah

During his rule, Pekah formed an alliance with Rezin, the king of Syria. Towards the end of King Jotham’s reign, which began in the second year of Pekah (around 750 B.C.E.), both Pekah and Rezin became adversaries of Judah (2 Kings 15:32, 37, 38). After Jotham’s son Ahaz began his reign in the 17th year of Pekah (around 735 B.C.E.), Rezin and Pekah invaded Judah, seeking to replace Ahaz with a puppet king, the son of Tabeel. Their campaign against Jerusalem was unsuccessful (2 Kings 16:1, 5; Isaiah 7:1-7), but Judah suffered significant losses, including 120,000 valiant men killed by Pekah and 200,000 Judeans taken captive. These captives were later returned to Judah following the intervention of the prophet Oded and influential Ephraimite leaders (2 Chronicles 28:6, 8-15).

Assyrian Intervention and Pekah’s Downfall

Despite the prophecy of Isaiah assuring Ahaz of the Syro-Israelite combine’s failure (Isaiah 7:6, 7), Ahaz sought help from Assyrian King Tiglath-pileser III. In response, Tiglath-pileser III captured Damascus, executing Rezin, and also took control of regions in northern Israel, including Gilead, Galilee, and Naphtali (2 Kings 15:29; 16:7-9). Pekah’s reign ended when Hoshea, son of Elah, assassinated him and assumed the kingship of Israel (2 Kings 15:30).

Assyrian Records and Pekah’s Legacy

A fragmentary historical text from Tiglath-pileser III recounts his campaign against Israel, stating, “All its inhabitants (and) their possessions I led to Assyria. They overthrew their king Pekah (Pa-qa-ha) and I placed Hoshea (A-ú-si-ʼ) as king over them” (Ancient Near Eastern Texts, edited by J. B. Pritchard, 1974, p. 284). This external record from Assyria not only corroborates the biblical account of Pekah’s reign and downfall but also underscores the turbulent political dynamics of the era and the Assyrian influence in the region.

Relief from Tiglath-Pileser’s palace in Nimrud depicting the Assyrians besieging a town. Assyrian Relief Attack on Enemy Town from Kalhu (Nimrud) Central Palace reign of Tiglath-pileser III 730-727 BCE British Museum collection photographed at The Getty Villa.

King Pekah of Israel in Assyrian Inscriptions: Confirming Biblical Accounts

The reign of King Pekah of Israel, as narrated in the Bible, finds substantial corroboration in Assyrian inscriptions, particularly those detailing the campaigns of Tiglath-pileser III. These inscriptions not only mention Pekah explicitly but also align with the biblical depiction of his political alliances and the consequential Assyrian invasion.

Tiglath-Pileser III as depicted on a stele from the walls of his royal palace, who mentioned Pekah several times. Gypsum wall panel relief: the king, Tiglath-Pileser III, wears a long full beard, a moustache, and carefully curled hair. His high crown is decorated with three bands which are ornamented with rosettes. The ornamented ends of the lowest band hang down his back. His garment has a fringed border decorated with rosettes alternating with concentric squares. His earring is of a common type; on his wrist he wears a four-fold bracelet with a many-petalled rosette in the middle. In his raised right hand he holds a staff; his left hand is no longer preserved. The panel contains an inscription. (Description extracted from the British Museum)

Assyrian Records of Tiglath-pileser III’s Campaigns

Tiglath-pileser III’s invasions into Aram (Syria) and Israel are well-documented in Assyrian inscriptions, notably in Summary Inscriptions 4, 9, and 13. These records provide crucial historical evidence of the geopolitical dynamics of the era.

Summary Inscription 4: Found on a pavement stone in Nimrud, an ancient Assyrian city, this inscription vividly describes Tiglath-pileser III’s campaign into Israel and the tribute imposed. Significantly, it mentions “Bit-Humria” (the Assyrian term for “House of Omri,” referring to Israel) and names “Pekah, their king,” along with Hoshea, who succeeded Pekah as king of Israel. This inscription, despite being fragmentary, unequivocally identifies Pekah in the context of the Assyrian campaign.
Summary Inscription 13: Although this inscription is damaged and the text is not entirely clear, it likely includes a reference to Pekah, further attesting to his historical presence (COS 2:288, 291-92).
Summary Inscription 9: This record mentions the alliance between Pekah and King Rezin of Aram, corroborating the biblical narrative of their coalition against Assyria (Cogan, Raging Torrent, 63).

Tiglath-Pileser III, depicted in a royal chariot in one of the reliefs from the royal palace in Nimrud. The Assyrian king, identified by his conical cap with a turban wrapped around it (so-called Polos), stands (under a parasol) in his royal chariot and raises his right arm in a greeting gesture. From the Central Palace (re-used in the South-West Place by Esarhaddon) ) at Nimrud (modern-day Ninawa Governorate, Iraq), Mesopotamia, Neo-Assyrian period, circa 730-727 BCE. The British Museum, London.

Conclusion: Historical Validation of Biblical Accounts

The explicit mention of King Pekah in Assyrian inscriptions, especially in the context of his alliance with Rezin and the subsequent invasion by Tiglath-pileser III, provides a strong historical foundation for the biblical account of his reign. These inscriptions not only confirm Pekah’s existence and role as king of Israel but also align with the biblical portrayal of his political maneuvers and the impact of Assyrian expansionism. The convergence of biblical and Assyrian records in detailing these events underscores the historical accuracy of the biblical narrative and enhances our understanding of the complex international relations in the ancient Near East during the first half of the 8th century B.C.E.

About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).