Introduction

Tiglath-Pileser III, often referred to simply as Tiglath, was a prominent king of Assyria who reigned from 745 to 727 BC. His reign marked a significant period in the history of the ancient Near East, characterized by military expansion, administrative reforms, and interactions with the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. Tiglath-Pileser III is a key figure in biblical history, as his campaigns and policies had profound implications for the people of Israel and Judah.

Historical Context

Tiglath-Pileser III ascended to the throne during a time of internal strife and external threats to Assyria. He is credited with revitalizing the Assyrian Empire through a series of military campaigns that expanded its territory and influence. His reign is noted for the introduction of significant administrative reforms, including the establishment of provinces governed by Assyrian officials, which helped to consolidate his control over conquered regions.

Biblical References

Tiglath-Pileser III is mentioned in several passages of the Bible, where he is often referred to as "Tiglath-Pileser" or "Pul." His interactions with the kingdoms of Israel and Judah are particularly noteworthy.

1. 2 Kings 15:29 : "In the days of Pekah king of Israel, Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria came and captured Ijon, Abel-beth-maacah, Janoah, Kedesh, Hazor, Gilead, and Galilee—all the land of Naphtali—and he took the people to Assyria." This passage highlights Tiglath-Pileser's military campaign against the northern kingdom of Israel, resulting in the capture of significant territories and the deportation of their inhabitants.

2. 2 Kings 16:7-9 : "So Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria, saying, 'I am your servant and your vassal. Come up and save me out of the hand of the king of Aram and of the king of Israel, who are rising up against me.' And Ahaz took the silver and gold found in the house of the LORD and in the treasuries of the royal palace and sent it as a gift to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria complied and attacked Damascus, capturing it and exiling its people to Kir. Then he put Rezin to death." This account describes the alliance between King Ahaz of Judah and Tiglath-Pileser III, illustrating the political dynamics of the time and the reliance of smaller kingdoms on Assyrian power for protection.

3. 1 Chronicles 5:26 : "So the God of Israel stirred the spirit of Pul king of Assyria (that is, Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria), and he took the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh into exile. He brought them to Halah, Habor, Hara, and the river of Gozan, where they remain to this day." This verse underscores the divine orchestration behind the Assyrian conquests, as perceived in the biblical narrative, and the resulting exile of the tribes east of the Jordan River.

Significance

Tiglath-Pileser III's reign is significant in biblical history for several reasons. His military campaigns against Israel and Judah fulfilled prophetic warnings of judgment against these nations due to their disobedience and idolatry. The deportations initiated by Tiglath-Pileser III set a precedent for the later Assyrian policy of population displacement, which aimed to prevent rebellion and assimilate conquered peoples.

Furthermore, Tiglath-Pileser's interactions with the kings of Israel and Judah illustrate the complex political landscape of the ancient Near East, where smaller kingdoms often sought alliances with powerful empires to secure their survival. His reign is a testament to the might of the Assyrian Empire and its role as an instrument of divine judgment in the biblical narrative.2 Kings 15:29
In the days of Pekah king of Israel came Tiglathpileser king of Assyria, and took Ijon, and Abelbethmaachah, and Janoah, and Kedesh, and Hazor, and Gilead, and Galilee, all the land of Naphtali, and carried them captive to Assyria.
Nave's Topical Index

1 Chronicles 5:6,26
Beerah his son, whom Tilgathpilneser king of Assyria carried away captive: he was prince of the Reubenites.
Nave's Topical Index

How Zachariah Shallum, Menahem Pekahiah and Pekah Took the ...
... But the king of Assyria, whose name was Tiglath-Pileser, when he had made an expedition
against the Israelites, and had overrun all the land of Gilead, and the ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 11 how zachariah shallum.htm

The History after the Flood.
... There were these kings of Assyria: Tiglath-Pileser, and after him Shalmaneser, then
Sennacherib; and Adrammelech the Ethiopian, who also reigned over Egypt ...
/.../theophilus/theophilus to autolycus/chapter xxxi the history after the.htm

Babylonia and Assyria
... Then Tiglath-Ninip was driven back to Assyria, where he was imprisoned and murdered
by his son, and the old line of Kassite princes was restored in the person ...
/.../early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter vi babylonia and assyria.htm

History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8
... return of Merodach-baladan and his efforts to form a coalition against Assyria;
the battle ... of Carthage -- The Kingdom of Tyre in the time of Tiglath-pileser III ...
/.../history of egypt chaldaea syria babylonia and assyria v 8/title page.htm

Sargon of Assyria (722-705 BC )
... baladan, who was King of Bit-Yakin at the time of Sargon's accession, had become
subject to Assyria in 729 BC, and had paid tribute to Tiglath-pileser, but he ...
/.../chapter iiisargon of assyria 722-705.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... through the same vicissitudes as his neighbours; faithful to Urartu as long as
Sharduris kept the upper hand, and to Assyria as soon as Tiglath-pileser had ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 7
... CHAPTER II--TIGLATH-PILESER III. AND THE ORGANISATION OF THE ASSYRIAN EMPIRE FROM
745 TO 722 BC. CHAPTER III--SARGON OF ASSYRIA (722-705 BC). ...
/.../maspero/history of egypt chaldaea syria babylonia and assyria v 7/

The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
... when the kings of Syria, alarmed at the earliest victories of Tiglath-pileser III ...
those of the day, and had solicited help from the Pharaohs against Assyria. ...
/.../chapter iithe power of assyria 2.htm

How Upon the Death of Jotham, Ahaz Reigned in his Stead; against ...
... Of Jotham, Ahaz Reigned In His Stead; Against Whom Rezin, King Of Syria And Pekah
King Of Israel, Made War; And How Tiglath-Pileser, King Of Assyria Came To ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 12 how upon the.htm

Appendices
... Yukin-zera or Khinziros, 3 years 730 Pulu (Pul or Poros), called Tiglath-pileser
III. in Assyria, 2 years 727 Ulula, called Shalmaneser IV. in Assyria 725. ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/appendices.htm

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