Tiglath-pileser

About Tiglath-pileser

Tiglath-pileser, also referred to as "the great" or "Pul," was a powerful Assyrian king who reigned from 745 to 727 BC. He is mentioned in several passages in the Old Testament (2Ki.15.19,29; 16.7,10; 1Ch.5.6,26; 2Ch.28.20; Hos.5.13; 10.6). Tiglath-pileser's reign marked the beginning of the Neo-Assyrian Empire's expansion and dominance in the ancient Near East. He is known for his military conquests and political reforms. In the biblical account, Tiglath-pileser received tribute from King Menahem of Israel (2Ki.15.19) and later conquered parts of Israel, including Gilead, Galilee, and Naphtali, deporting the inhabitants to Assyria (2Ki.15.29; 1Ch.5.26). King Ahaz of Judah sought Tiglath-pileser's help against the kings of Israel and Syria, but this alliance ultimately led to Judah's subjugation and religious compromises (2Ki.16.7-10; 2Ch.28.20). The prophet Hosea denounced Israel's reliance on Assyria, symbolized by Tiglath-pileser, as futile and contrary to trust in God (Hos.5.13; 10.6). Tiglath-pileser's reign marked a significant turning point in the history of Israel and Judah, as the Assyrian Empire's expansion posed an increasing threat to their sovereignty and independence.

Description from STEPBible TIPNR (Tyndale House, Cambridge), CC BY 4.0, lightly reformatted. This is background reference material, not Scripture and not a FaithGraph editorial claim.