Who was Tiglath-pileser in the Bible?

Tiglath-pileser, also called Pul, was a powerful king of the Assyrian Empire who is mentioned in the Old Testament. He conquered parts of the northern kingdom of Israel and received tribute from King Menahem to secure his throne (2 Kings 15:19-20).

What did Tiglath-pileser do to Israel?

Tiglath-pileser invaded Israel, conquered several territories including Gilead and Galilee, and deported their people to Assyria (2 Kings 15:29). He also accepted tribute from King Ahaz of Judah when Judah was under threat from Israel and Aram (2 Kings 16:7-9).

Why is Tiglath-pileser significant in biblical history?

His campaigns were a major step in the Assyrian conquest that eventually led to the complete fall of the northern kingdom of Israel in 722 BC. His actions fulfill prophecies about God using foreign nations to judge Israel's disobedience (Isaiah 7:17, 1 Chronicles 5:26).

Tiglath-pileser

Old TestamentDivided MonarchyMaleKing

Tiglath-pileser, also known as Pul, was an Assyrian king who conquered parts of Israel and received tribute from King Menahem.

Tiglath-pileser

Biography

Tiglath-pileser III (reigned c. 745–727 BC), known in Babylonian records as Pul, was one of the most capable monarchs of the Neo-Assyrian Empire. He appears prominently in the Old Testament during the period of Israel's political decline. When King Menahem of Israel faced his aggression, Menahem paid a heavy tribute of one thousand talents of silver to secure Assyrian support for his own reign (2 Kings 15:19–20). Later, King Ahaz of Judah appealed to Tiglath-pileser for protection against the Syro-Ephraimite coalition, receiving military aid that came at great political and spiritual cost (2 Kings 16:7–9). Tiglath-pileser subsequently conquered portions of northern Israel, deporting many inhabitants, an early fulfillment of the exile warnings proclaimed by Israel's prophets.

Significance

Tiglath-pileser III stands as one of Scripture's clearest examples of God using a pagan empire as an instrument of covenantal judgment. The prophets Isaiah and Hosea had warned Israel that persistent idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness would bring foreign conquest, and the Assyrian campaigns of Tiglath-pileser began fulfilling those warnings with devastating precision. His deportation of Israelite populations (2 Kings 15:29) inaugurated the systematic dismemberment of the northern kingdom that culminated under Sargon II. His story challenges readers to recognize that God's sovereignty extends over the mightiest empires, directing their ambitions to accomplish divine purposes even when those nations remain ignorant of the God they serve.

Verse Appearances (9)

References

Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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Tiglath-pileser

Biography

Significance

Verse Appearances (9)

2Kgs

1Chr

2Chr

Hosea

References