BIBLE IN HISTORY AND ARCHAEOLOGY - The Case of King Hezekiah of Judah
BIBLE IN HISTORY AND ARCHAEOLOGY - The Case of King Hezekiah of Judah Extra-biblical sources specify Hezekiah by name, along with his reign and influence. "Historiographically, his reign is noteworthy for the convergence of a variety of biblical sources and diverse extrabiblical evidence often bearing on the same events. Significant data concerning Hezekiah appear in the Deuteronomistic History, the Chronicler, Isaiah, Assyrian annals and reliefs, Israelite epigraphy, and, increasingly, stratigraphy". Archaeologist Amihai Mazar calls the tensions between Assyria and Judah "one of the best-documented events of the Iron Age". Hezekiah's story is one of the best to cross-reference with the rest of the Mid Eastern world's historical documents. Archaeological record A cuneiform inscription mentioning in detail the tribute sent by Hezekiah, king of Judah, to Sennacherib is in the British Museum. A seal impression dating back to 727–698 BCE, reading "לחזקיהו...