Tirhakah
“Of Ethiopian derivation”
Summary
Tirhakah was the king of Ethiopia (Cush) who advanced against Sennacherib during the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem, prompting a second threatening message to Hezekiah.
☩Biblical Account
While Sennacherib was besieging Libnah in southern Palestine, he received word that Tirhakah king of Ethiopia was advancing to fight against him. This news prompted Sennacherib to send a second threatening message to King Hezekiah, demanding Jerusalem's surrender. Scripture does not record an actual battle between Tirhakah and Sennacherib; rather, the Assyrian army was supernaturally destroyed by the angel of the Lord, who struck down 185,000 soldiers in a single night.
☩Egyptian Records
In Egyptian monuments, Tirhakah's name appears as Taharqa or Teharka, with the prenomen Nefer-atmu-Ra-chu. He was one of the sons of Piankhy II and left Napata at age twenty, later being crowned king of Egypt. An Apis-Tablet indicates he had at least a twenty-six year reign. His successful opposition to Assyrian power is recorded on the walls of a Theban temple at Medinet Habu, showing his captives and victories.
☩Later Conflicts with Assyria
In subsequent years, Tirhakah faced military campaigns from Esarhaddon and Ashurbanipal. After fighting and losing battles, Memphis fell to the Assyrians, and Tirhakah fled to Thebes. When the Assyrians learned that Egyptian petty kings were conspiring with Tirhakah, they returned and installed new rulers. Tirhakah eventually fled to Ethiopia (Cush), where he died and was succeeded by Tanut-Amon. His reign marked the end of significant Ethiopian influence over Egypt.
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Tirhakah," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. X (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Tirhakah," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. V (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.George Morrish, "Tirhakah," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).