| Syro-Ephraimite War | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Assyria's campaign after the failed revolt. |
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| Belligerents | |||||||
| Assyria, Judah | Syria, Israel | ||||||
| Commanders | |||||||
| Tiglath-Pileser III, Assyrian king Ahaz, Judah king |
Rezin II, Syrian leader Pekah, Israel leader |
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In the 8th century B.C., Assyria was a great regional power.[1] The smaller nations of Syria (often called Aram) and the Northern Kingdom of Israel (often called Ephraim because of the main tribe) formed a coalition in defense against the oncoming threat. They had previously been tributary nations to Assyria, and they finally decided to break away. The Southern Kingdom of Israel, known as Judah, was loyal to Assyria and refused to join the coalition. Judah was ruled by King Ahaz. In 735 B.C. Syria, under Rezin, and Israel, under Pekah, attempted to depose Ahaz through an invasion. Judah was being defeated and, according to 2 Chronicles, lost 120,000 troops in just one day. Many significant officials were killed, including the king's son. Many others were taken away as slaves. (Telling of the same battle, 2 Kings 16:5 mentions no casualties and states that Rezin and Pekah failed to defeat Ahaz.)
During the invasion, the Philistines and Edomites were taking advantage of the situation and raiding towns and villages within the Southern Kingdom. Ahaz called out to Tiglath-Pileser III of Assyria for help.[2] The Assyrians defended Judah, conquering both Israel and Syria, but the post-war alliance only brought more trouble for the king of Judah. Ahaz had to pay tribute to Tiglath-Pileser III with treasures from the Temple in Jerusalem and the royal treasury. He also built idols of Assyrian gods in Judah to find favor with his new ally.
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The Immanuel child
The Immanuel child of the book of Isaiah is closely related to the Syro-Ephraimite War. In chapters 7-12, Isaiah narrates the Syro-Ephraimite War. He tells King Ahaz that the invasion will be unsuccessful and tells him to ask God for a sign. Ahaz, in his stubborn pride, refuses to ask God for a sign. Isaiah tells him that God will give a sign despite Ahaz's refusal. He says that the sign will be that "A young woman shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Imman'u-el. He shall eat curds and honey when he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted." (Isaiah 7:14-16 Revised Standard Version). Isaiah also says that because Ahaz trusted in Assyria, God will bring the king of Assyria to the gates of Jerusalem.
In Chapter 8, the prophecy is fulfilled. Isaiah has sexual relations with his wife (the Hebrew word above, álmah means a young woman, not a virgin in the modern usage) and she conceives. The child is named Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz, meaning "the spoil speeds, the prey hastes." God tells Isaiah that before this child can speak, Assyria will plunder Syria and Israel.
Biblical references
- 2 Kings 16
- 2 Chronicles 28
- Isaiah 7-12
See also
External links
- http://www.ucgstp.org/bible/brp/2ki16a.htm
- http://www.bsw.org/?l=71811&a=Ani17.html
- http://faculty.maryvillecollege.edu/cowan/immanuel/pathway.htm
References
- ^ Walton, John H.; Hill, Andrew E. (2004). Old Testament Today. Zondervan. pp. 164. ISBN 0310238269, 9780310238263. http://books.google.com/books?id=0B4XFg6H-JYC.
- ^ biblical literature :: The divided monarchy: from Jeroboam I to the Assyrian conquest - Britannica Online Encyclopedia
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