THE TAYLOR PRISM: THE ASSYRIAN ACCOUNT OF THE SIEGE (SENNACHERIB’S PRISM)

ARCHAEOLOGICAL CONTEXT AND HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE

The Taylor Prism associated with the siege of Jerusalem during King Hezekiah’s reign provides compelling material evidence for events previously known primarily through biblical texts. This six-sided clay prism contains cuneiform inscriptions detailing King Sennacherib’s military exploits from 704 to 681 BCE. The Prism offers the Assyrian perspective, confirming the siege. It provides a fascinating window into the historical events surrounding the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem.

biblical accounts (2 Kings 18-19; Isaiah 36-37)

Sennacherib’s massive army of 185,000 soldiers surrounded Jerusalem after conquering many of Judah’s other cities. Perhaps most tellingly, the text states that Sennacherib “shut up Hezekiah like a caged bird in his royal city of Jerusalem” and “constructed a series of fortresses around him. King Hezekiah, guided by the prophet Isaiah, refused to surrender despite the overwhelming odds. The biblical narrative describes divine intervention that saved the city, with the Assyrian army being mysteriously decimated overnight.

RELATED ARTIFACTS

1. THE HEZEKIAH BULLA 2. ISAIAH BULLA 3. THE SILOAM INSCRIPTION 4. AZEKAH INSCRIPTION

SOURCES

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