2 Chronicles 12:9 – Is there any extrabiblical record verifying the looting of Jerusalem’s treasures by Shishak? Historical Context of 2 Chronicles 12:9 2 Chronicles 12:9 states, “So King Shishak of Egypt attacked Jerusalem and seized the treasuries of the house of the LORD and the royal palace. He took everything, including the gold shields that Solomon had made.” According to biblical chronology, this event occurred during the reign of Rehoboam (the son of Solomon), approximately in the late 10th century BC. Many place Shishak’s invasion around 926–925 BC, aligning with the commencement of the 22nd Dynasty of Egypt under Pharaoh Shoshenq I. Below are the key historical and archaeological considerations concerning whether there is any extrabiblical record verifying the plundering of Jerusalem’s treasures by Shishak (Shoshenq I). Biblical Versus Extrabiblical Sources The Bible remains the primary textual witness to the specific detail that Shishak seized the treasures of Jerusalem’s temple and royal palace. While Scripture notes that “he took everything,” including Solomon’s gold shields, the question revolves around whether any Egyptian or other ancient records independently corroborate this very specific detail of looting Jerusalem. Egyptian records do preserve information about Shishak’s campaigns, but they rarely offer direct commentary on the seizure of temple artifacts from foreign cities. In the ancient Near East, inscriptions often boasted broad victories and conquests rather than itemizing specific valuables or temple spoils. Still, historians look for geographical markers and city-lists that might confirm or correlate with the biblical account. The Bubastite Portal at Karnak One of the most significant extrabiblical references for Shishak (Shoshenq I) is found on the walls of the Karnak Temple in Thebes (modern-day Luxor) in Egypt, on what is known as the Bubastite (or Shoshenq) Portal. The inscription there celebrates the Pharaoh’s triumph over various cities in the Levant, including regions in Israel and Judah. • While this lengthy record does list numerous towns, confirming a major campaign into Canaan, it does not explicitly mention Jerusalem by name. • Scholars have proposed that certain entries—now partially eroded—could refer to areas near Jerusalem. One suggested reading is a mention of a place possibly translated as “Heights/District of David,” which might allude to the kingdom of Judah (though this is debated). • The absence of “Jerusalem” itself in surviving inscriptions could be due to damage over centuries or the selective nature of Egyptian texts, which typically highlight easily captured or significant outlying towns rather than fortified capitals. Although the Bubastite Portal does not categorically say Shishak plundered the treasures of the Jerusalem Temple, it independently affirms that Shishak indeed moved forcefully into the region, consistent with the biblical narrative of his aggression against Rehoboam’s kingdom. Archaeological Correlations While no single artifact has been discovered that explicitly confirms “the gold was taken from Jerusalem,” there are general archaeological indicators that show: • Some urban centers in the region of Judah and Israel experienced upheaval and changes in fortification around the mid-to-late 10th century BC. Although not always conclusive, these layers of destruction or sudden building modifications are often correlated with Shishak’s raids. • The broader pattern of Shishak’s expansive campaign is reflected in the stelae and cartouches discovered in various sites in Canaan, confirming Egyptian presence and subjugation. • When combined with the biblical text, these findings at least suggest a historical incursion by an Egyptian pharaoh that aligns with the era of Rehoboam. References in Later Writings The ancient Jewish historian Josephus (1st century AD) mentions Shishak’s invasion in his “Antiquities of the Jews” (Book 8.10.2), recounting a narrative similar to that in Chronicles: that Shishak indeed despoiled the temple. While Josephus draws heavily from the Hebrew Scriptures and other traditions, his mention illustrates the continuity of the historical memory. Beyond Josephus, other sources referencing Shoshenq I mainly focus on his role in Egypt’s 22nd Dynasty, with only indirect nods to his Levantine conquests. These references, while not detailing temple treasures, reinforce that he conducted significant military campaigns northward. Reasons for Potential Omission in Egyptian Texts Ancient conquerors often emphasized broad successes on monuments and inscriptions but, in many cases, the explicit naming of the capital city or temple treasures was either omitted or subsumed under wider claims of victory. Some possible reasons: • Prestige: Claiming many conquests could have been more impressive than highlighting a single city. • Damaged Inscriptions: Parts of the Karnak relief are worn, eroded, or lost, potentially erasing references. • Political Nuance: Egypt may have had reasons for not singling out Jerusalem, or it might have been included under a term that is no longer clearly legible. Whatever the immediate cause, the fact remains that while Shishak’s extended campaign in the region is documented by Egyptian records, the specific item-by-item looting of Jerusalem’s treasures is unique to the Bible. Scholarly Interpretations Most biblical scholars and Egyptologists agree on the following points: • Shishak/Shoshenq I definitely led military operations in Judah and Israel near the time the Bible indicates. • The biblical account of Shishak’s exploit is historically plausible given both the scriptural description and the Bubastite Portal’s listing of conquered regions. • The absence of a direct mention of Jerusalem or its temple treasures in Egyptian inscriptions does not invalidate the biblical account. It is not uncommon for ancient royal inscriptions to omit details that might be of high interest to modern historians but were not the focus of Egyptian commemorations. Kenneth Kitchen, in his work “On the Reliability of the Old Testament,” discusses how the Egyptian and biblical data align well chronologically. Though details vary and direct statements about the Temple’s plunder do not appear in extrabiblical records, the synergy between the biblical narrative and known Egyptian campaigns is widely recognized. Conclusion From the evidence we possess, there is no single extrabiblical document that explicitly states “Shishak carried off the Temple treasures.” However, the general historical record from Egypt—particularly the Bubastite Portal—confirms that Shishak launched a widespread campaign against the regions of Israel and Judah, plausibly including Jerusalem’s vicinity. The details preserved by Egyptian historians align with the broad strokes of the biblical narrative. The account recorded in 2 Chronicles 12:9 stands as the comprehensive ancient testimony of Shishak’s seizure of Jerusalem’s riches. While Egyptian inscriptions do not itemize temple spoils, they do corroborate a factual campaign that would have given Shishak ample opportunity to loot. As is often the case with ancient historical documentation, the absence of a direct statement outside Scripture does not negate the campaign’s reality, and the Bible’s record remains consistent with the artifacts and references we do have regarding Shishak’s presence in the region. |
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