Published: 2024-11-13

The Syro-Ephraimite War in the Context of Assyrian Trade Interests in the Southern Levant

Insights from Nimrud Letter 2715

Krzysztof Kinowski
Collectanea Theologica
Section: Articles
https://doi.org/10.21697/ct.2024.94.4.01

Abstract

Previous interpretations of the so-called Syro-Ephraimite War (2 Kgs 16:5; Isa 7:1–2; cf. 2 Chr 28:5–8) have highlighted the political aspects of this conflict, such as the expansionist ambitions of Assyria, the anti-Assyrian coalition of Aram and Israel, the loss of independence by Judah, and the negative influence of the empire on religion and worship in Jerusalem. However, new archaeological discoveries and an adequate historical contextualization of the events shed new light on the nature of this conflict. Nimrud Letter 2715 suggests an economic motivation behind Tiglath-pileser III’s military actions in the southern Levant during this period (access to maritime trade routes and new channels for the flow of goods). Similarly, the Syro-Ephraimite-Judean conflict appears to have been driven by economic considerations (control over trade routes through Transjordan towards Arabia and Egypt). The prospect of economic benefits also motivated the Kingdom of Judah to enter into a vassal relationship with Assyria, leading to development and prosperity in the kingdom, as confirmed by recent archaeological findings. In light of this historical reconstruction, King Ahaz emerges as a shrewd strategist and initiator of his kingdom’s development.

Keywords:

Syro-Ephraimite War, Ahaz (king), Tiglath-pileser III (king), Books of Kings, Kingdom of Judah, Assyria

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Kinowski, K. (2024). The Syro-Ephraimite War in the Context of Assyrian Trade Interests in the Southern Levant: Insights from Nimrud Letter 2715. Collectanea Theologica, 94(4), 5–34. https://doi.org/10.21697/ct.2024.94.4.01

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