2 Kings 15:19 speaks of Menahem paying tribute to Pul, king of Assyria—do extrabiblical sources confirm this tribute or Pul’s identity? Historical Context of 2 Kings 15:19 2 Kings 15:19 reads: “Then Pul king of Assyria invaded the land, and Menahem gave Pul a thousand talents of silver so that he might become strong enough to hold the kingdom.” This verse pertains to the reign of Menahem, a monarch over the northern kingdom of Israel, during a period of intensified Assyrian expansion in the ancient Near East. The name “Pul” in this passage has long intrigued historians, archaeologists, and biblical scholars, given that multiple external sources identify an Assyrian king Tiglath-Pileser III around the same timeframe. The central question concerns whether Pul and Tiglath-Pileser III are the same individual, and whether extrabiblical records support the tribute paid by Menahem. Identification of Pul with Tiglath-Pileser III The predominant scholarly consensus, drawn from ancient inscriptions and detailed Assyrian king lists, is that Pul refers to Tiglath-Pileser III. There is substantial evidence that “Pul” (sometimes spelled “Pulu”) was an alternate name or personal appellation for Tiglath-Pileser III. This identification hinges on several key findings: 1. Assyrian King Lists and Annals: Tiglath-Pileser III’s official inscriptions make reference to subjugated nations and list various kings who paid tribute. While these inscriptions do not use the name “Pul,” they align historically with the same conquests, timeline, and geographical targets as the biblical account of Pul. 2. Canon of Eponyms (Limmu Lists): The Assyrian Eponym Chronicles place Tiglath-Pileser III’s campaigns in the region of Syria and Israel around the mid-eighth century BC. As Scripture locates Menahem’s reign roughly in the same period, this synchronizes well with the idea that Menahem’s tribute was paid to Tiglath-Pileser III. 3. Babylonian References: Babylonian sources record the name “Pulu” for a usurper who rose to power in Assyria—an event linked to Tiglath-Pileser III’s ascendancy. This suggests “Pulu” was either a personal name or a form of a dynastic name. Extrabiblical Confirmation of Menahem’s Tribute Beyond the biblical record, Assyrian inscriptions and archaeological findings lend credence to the biblical depiction that Menahem submitted to Assyria and provided a substantial tribute: 1. Tiglath-Pileser III Inscriptions: Discovered at sites such as Nimrud and other Assyrian capitals, these inscriptions mention multiple western rulers offering tribute. While the inscriptions do not always name Menahem verbatim in their extant segments, several texts refer to “Menihimme of Samaria” or variations thereof, likely indicating Menahem. This matches the biblical statement that Menahem ruled in Samaria (2 Kings 15:17). 2. Archaeological Evidence of Assyrian Expansion: Excavations at sites within the northern kingdom of Israel show destruction layers and signs of political upheaval from Assyrian campaigns. These materials illustrate a climate where a king of Israel, such as Menahem, would have logically sought an arrangement by tribute to preserve his reign. 3. Chronological Correlation: Both the biblical timeline and the Assyrian king lists place the tribute around the mid-eighth century BC (ca. 750–740 BC). Menahem’s payment of “a thousand talents of silver” (2 Kings 15:19) to secure his kingdom aligns with the known practices of smaller states paying tribute to imperial powers like Assyria. Implications for Biblical Reliability These alignments with extrabiblical materials demonstrate a coherent historical context. The payment of tribute from Menahem to Pul (Tiglath-Pileser III): 1. Reveals Political Realities: The account accurately reflects the ascendancy of Assyria, one of the major superpowers of the ancient Near East, and Israel’s need to navigate that threat. 2. Confirms Scriptural Consistency: The unity of the biblical text, combined with archaeological and historical correlates, supports the Bible’s internal coherence and external reliability. 3. Highlights the Role of Assyrian Relations: In the broader narrative of Israel’s monarchy, interactions with Assyria frequently recur (e.g., 2 Kings 16:7–9, 2 Kings 17:3–6). The references to these encounters maintain a high degree of reflection of known Assyrian imperial policy. Conclusion While the debate once revolved around whether Pul and Tiglath-Pileser III were separate individuals or the same king, the weight of extrabiblical evidence—particularly the alignment of Assyrian inscriptions referring to Menahem of Samaria and the historical resonance with known Assyrian expansion—demonstrates that Pul in 2 Kings 15:19 is Tiglath-Pileser III. His identity and the tribute recorded in Scripture are corroborated by external historical sources. Such correlations not only reinforce the historical reliability of the biblical text but also acknowledge the geopolitical complexities of Menahem’s reign. The biblical record stands supported by archaeological and textual evidence, illustrating the broader reliability of Scripture and affirming that the specific event of Menahem’s tribute is historically credible. |
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