תִּגְלַת פִּלְאֶסֶר

Tiglath-Pileser or Tilgath-pilneser, an Assyryrian king

Definition

תִּגְלַת פִּלְאֶסֶר is the Hebrew name for Tiglath-Pileser III, a powerful king of the Neo-Assyrian Empire who reigned from 745–727 BC. In the Bible, he is a key foreign ruler used by God as an instrument of judgment against the northern kingdom of Israel and as a complicating factor for the southern kingdom of Judah. The name appears in two primary forms: 'Tiglath-pileser' (e.g., 2 Kings 15:29) and the variant 'Tilgath-pilneser' (e.g., 1 Chronicles 5:6), both referring to the same historical figure. His campaigns, recorded in both biblical and Assyrian sources, led to the exile of tribes from Israel and involved Judah in costly political maneuvering.

Biblical Usage

This name is used six times in the Old Testament, specifically in the historical books of Kings and Chronicles. It consistently appears in contexts of military invasion and political subjugation. In 2 Kings 15:29, Tiglath-Pileser invades Israel and exiles people from Galilee. In 2 Kings 16:7-10, King Ahaz of Judah appeals to him for help against Syria and Israel, leading to Judah's vassalage and the modification of the Jerusalem Temple altar. The Chronicler records the same events, noting his role in exiling the Transjordanian tribes (1 Chronicles 5:6, 5:26) and his exploitation of Judah's King Ahaz (2 Chronicles 28:20).

Etymology

The name is of foreign (Akkadian) derivation, transliterated into Hebrew. The original Akkadian name was *Tukultī-apil-Ešarra*, meaning 'my trust is in the son of Esharra' (Esharra being a temple or possibly a reference to the god Ashur). The biblical text shows several Hebrew phonetic renderings: תִּגְלַת פִּלְאֶסֶר (Tiglath Pilʼeçer), תִּגְלַת פְּלֶסֶר, and תִּלְגַּת פִּלְנְאֶסֶר (Tilgath-pilneser). These variations reflect the challenges of transliterating foreign royal titles into Hebrew.

Semantic Range

Tiglath-Pileser III is a clear example of God's sovereign use of pagan nations to accomplish His purposes of judgment and discipline upon His people, as foretold by prophets like Amos and Isaiah. His invasions fulfill the covenant curses for disobedience (Deuteronomy 28). Furthermore, King Ahaz's alliance with him (2 Kings 16) illustrates the folly of trusting in human political power over trusting in God, leading to national compromise and religious syncretism. Understanding this name enriches the reading of the prophets by providing the concrete historical backdrop of Assyrian aggression against which their messages of warning and hope were delivered.

In the ancient Near East, Assyrian kings like Tiglath-Pileser III were renowned for their brutal military campaigns and efficient administration, using deportation as a policy to break national identities. To Israel and Judah, he represented the terrifying superpower of the day. The biblical accounts align with and are corroborated by Tiglath-Pileser's own royal inscriptions (e.g., the Assyrian Eponym Chronicle), which record his campaigns against Israel ('the land of Omri') and his receipt of tribute from Judah ('Jehoahaz of Judah'). The dual biblical name forms may reflect different source documents or periods of transmission.

פּוּל (Pûl, H6322) — The throne name of Tiglath-Pileser III used in 2 Kings 15:19 and 1 Chronicles 5:26, highlighting the practice of Assyrian kings having multiple regnal names. שַׁלְמַנְאֶסֶר (Shalmanʼeçer, H8020) — Shalmaneser V, his son and successor who besieged Samaria (2 Kings 17:3).

Word Details

Scripture References