Individual |
Biblical mention |
Date |
Archaeological -
Historical evidence |
Agrippa
I
or
Herod
Agrippa |
Acts
12:1 - called Herod the King; grandson of Herod the Great; King of
Judea; Persecuted Christians in Jerusalem |
r. A.D.
41-44
|
1. Josephus
2. Contemporary Roman
records
3.
Coins with inscription "The Great King Agrippa, Friend of the
Caesar"
4.
Basalt fragment of a Nabatean inscription refers to "Agrippa, the
King" (Could be either I or II) |
Agrippa
II |
Acts
25:13-26:32 - Son of Agrippa I; ruler of Northern areas of
Palestine; Paul appeared before him before going to Rome; Married to
Bernice |
r. A.D.
56-95
|
1. Josephus
2. Contemporary Roman
records
3.
Coins with likeness & inscription "King Agrippa"
4.
Basalt fragment (see Agrippa I above)
5.
Monumental stone inscription found in Beirut mention's Herod Agrippa
and Bernice. |
Ahab |
I Kings
16:28 - 8th King of Israel; son of Omri; wicked & idolatrous;
married to Jezebel |
r.
874-853 B.C.
|
1. Cuneiform tablets of
Shalmaneser III's battle at Qarqar
2. Mesha Stela (Moabite
Stone) refers to him as Omri's son but does not call him by name |
Ahasuerus |
Esther
1:1 - Ahasuerus is Greek for Xerxes; King in Esther story. |
r.
486-465 B.C. |
1.
Audience Hall at Persepolis has relief of Xerxes with father, Darius
2.
Palace at Persepolis portrays Xerxes on door.
3. Clay
tablet archives chronicle his life.
4.
Seals found in Egypt are inscribed "Xerxes, the great king."
5.
Elephantine papyri dated by his reign.
6.
Herodotus histories |
Ahaz |
2 Kings
16:2 - 12th King of Judah; son of Jotham; idolatrous; listed in
Jesus' genealogy (Mt 1:9) |
r.
735-715 B.C.
|
1. Cuneiform
inscription of Tiglath Pileser's campaign against Palestine (called
Jehoahaz);
2. Seal with
inscription Abelonging to Usna, "Minister of Ahaz"
3.
Bulla with impression "Ahaz (son of) Jotham King of Judah" |
Ananias |
Acts
23:2 - Jewish High Priest who opposed Paul |
ca.
A.D. 58 |
Josephus |
Annas |
Luke
3:2 - Jewish High Priest |
ca.
A.D. 26 |
Josephus |
Antipas |
Luke
3:1 - Called Herod the Tetrarch in Bible |
r. 4
B.C. - A.D. 39 |
1.
Josephus
2.
Coins carry inscription "Herod the Tetrarch"
3.
Inscription on Cos & Delos name "Herod the Tetrarch" |
Archelaus |
Mat
2:22 - Also called Herod Archelaus; son of Herod the great; ruler of
Judea & Samaria during Jesus' childhood. |
r. 4
B.C. - A.D. 6 |
1.
Contemporary Histories - Dio Cassius
2.
Josephus
3.
Coins that have inscription "Ethrarch" or "Herod" or "Ethrarch
Herod" |
Aretas
IV |
2 Cor.
11:32-33 - King at Damascus who arrested Paul |
r. 9
B.C. - A.D. 40 |
1.
Josephus
2. 20
inscriptions use his name & reign for dating.
3.
Inscription at Khirbet et Tannur dates setting up of alter to his
2nd year.
4.
Inscription at Madeba calls him "he who loves his people."
5.
Coins with his likeness |
Artaxerxes I, Longimanus |
Ezra
4:7 - King of Persia; allowed Jews to return to Israel |
r. ca.
465-423 B.C. |
1. Tomb
of Artaxerxes known near Persepolis
2.
Elephantine papyri use dates based on his reign.
3.
Herodutus |
Ashurbanipal |
Ezra
4:10 (NIV) KJV calls his Osapper - Last Assyrian King |
r.
668-626 B.C. |
1.
Library of cuneiform tablets found at Kuyunjik
2.
Ruins of buildings with extensive sculptures at Ninevah
3.
Annals of Ashurbanipal - clay prism |
Augustus |
Luke
2:2 - Roman emperor during birth of Jesus; full name Gaius Octavius |
r. ca.
27 B.C. - A.D. 14 |
1. Full
biography found in long Greek & Latin inscription in Ankara, Turkey
2.
Inscription celebrating his birthday
3.
Coins
4.
Statuary
5.
Contemporary histories |
Balaam |
Num.
22:5 - The son of Beor; called by Balak, King of Moab, to curse
Israel |
ca.
1400 B.C. |
An
inscription found in 1967 at a temple at Deir >Alla (Biblical
Succoth) contains an Aramic inscription that contains messages of
doom and curses from Balaam, son of Beor. He is also called a "seer
of the gods." Inscription dated to 700 B.C. |
Baalis |
Jer.
40:14 - King of the Ammonites |
ca. 586
B.C. |
A seal
impression found in 1984 at Tel el-Umeiri by the Andrews University
excavation team. |
Baruch |
Jer.
32:12 - Scribe of Jeremiah the prophet; son of Neriah |
ca. 605
B.C. |
1.
Bulla bought in Jerusalem antiquities market in 1975
2.
Bulla in the collection of Shlomo Moussaieff. This bulla actually
shows a fingerprint on the back. |
Belshazzar |
Daniel
5 - King of Babylon |
ca. 536
B.C. |
Cuneiform tablet - Yale Babylonian collection |
Ben
Hadad I |
1 Kings
15:18 - Son of Tabrimmon, Son of Hezion, King of Syria (Aram) |
r. ca.
900-860 B.C. |
1.
Stone monument of treaty with King Pygmalion of Tyre.
2.
Stele dedicated to god, Baal Melqart found at Aleppo bears an
Aramaic inscription that mentions Barhadad, son of Tabrimmon, son of
Hezion, King of Aram. |
Ben
Hadad II (May be same person as Ben Hadad I) |
1 Kings
20:1 - King of Syrian (Aram) |
r ca.
860-843 B.C. |
Called
Hadadezer in Assyrian records from 853 B.C. that records the battle
of Qarqar with Shalmaneser III. |
Ben
Hadad III |
2 Kings
13:24-25 - King of Syria (Aram); Son of Hazael |
r. ca.
798-722 B.C. |
Zakir
King of Hamuth relates that Barhadad, the son of Hazael, fought
against him. |
Bernice |
Acts
25:13 - Oldest daughter of Herod Agrippa I; accompanied brother
(lover) Agrippa II when Paul appeared before him. |
ca.
A.D. 50 |
1.
Roman records including Suetonius and Dio Cassius
2.
Josephus
3.
Monumental stone inscription found in Beirut mentions King Agrippa
and Bernice. |
Caiaphas |
Mt.
26:3 - High priest during time of Jesus |
A.D. 33 |
1.
Josephus tells us his name was Joseph Caiaphas
2.
Ossuary found in Jerusalem in 1990 has Hebrew inscription that reads
"Joseph, son of Caiaphas." |
Claudius |
Acts
11:28; 18:2 - Roman Emperor; ordered Jews to leave Rome |
r. A.D.
51-54 |
1.
Roman historical records by Suetonias, Orosius, Tacitus and Dio
Cassius
2.
Coins with his name
3.
Statuary |
Cyrus
II or Cyrus the Great |
2 Chr.
36:22 - Persian King who founded empire; defeated Babylonians;
allowed Jew to go home from captivity. |
r. ca.
550-529 B.C. |
1.
Inscription from Pasargadae saying, "I am Cyrus..."
2.
Nabonidus Chronicle - cuneiform inscription
3.
Cyrus cylinder
4.
Historical records by Herodotus and Aeschylus
5. Tomb
at Pasargadue in SW Iran |
Darius
I Hystaspes or Darius the Great |
Ezra
4:5 - King of Persia |
r.
522-486 B.C. |
1.
Behistun Rock inscription celebrating his victories over contenders
to the throne
2. Copy
of Behistun inscription found on papyrus at Elephantine
3.
Palace & Audience Hall at Persepolis with numerous reliefs and
inscriptions portraying Darius
4.
Numerous cuneiform tablets
5.
Other papyri found at Elephantine |
Darius
the Persian |
Neh.
12:22 - King of Persia, Successor of Artaxerxes I |
ca.
424-404 B.C. |
"The
passover Papyrus" found at Elephantine |
David |
1 Sam
16:13; 2 Sam 5:3-4 - Second King of United Israel; Killed Goliath |
r.
1011-971 B.C. |
Stone
inscription found at Tel Dan by Avraham Biran in 1993 which speaks
of "the King of Israel" which was of "the house of David." |
Drusilla |
Acts
24:24 - Wife of Felix; Paul appeared before them. |
ca.
A.D. 60 |
1.
Josephus
2.
Suetonius history |
Eliakim |
2 Kings
18:18 - Steward (palace administration) of King Jehoiachin; son of
Hilkiah |
ca. 598
B.C. |
Seal
impression on jar handles found at Tell Beit Mirsim reading
ABelonging to Eliakim, steward of Yaukin (Jehoiachin). |
Elishama |
Jer.
36:12 - Scribe |
ca. 598
B.C. |
Seal
impression on bulla from Jerusalem hoard that reads "Elishama,
servant of the King." |
Erastus |
Romans
16:13 - City treasurer of Corinth; Convert of Paul |
ca.
A.D. 50 |
Latin
inscription found in Corinth says that Erastus laid "this pavement
at his own expense" in return for receiving his position in the
government. |
Esarhaddon |
2 Kings
19:37 - King of Assyria; Son of Sennacherib; Settled foreigners in
Samaria |
r.
681-669 B.C. |
1.
Stele depicting victory over Egypt & Tyre
2.
Commemorative stone tablet recounting the rebuilding of Babylon
3.
Cuneiform clay prism contains annuals of Esarhadden
4.
Bronze plague in Louvre depicting Esarhadden and mother Nagia
5. Many
other cuneiform tablets |
Evil -
Merodach |
2 Kings
25:27-30 - King of Babylon; son of Nebuchadnezzar; also called
Amel-Marduk |
r.
562-560 B.C. |
1.
Cuneiform tablet about the family of Nabonidus
2.
Cuneiform tablet listing kings |
Felix |
Acts
23:24 - Roman procurator (governor) of Judea under Claudius; Paul
appeared before him; Full name Marcus Antonius Felix |
r. ca.
A.D. 52-60 |
1.
Tacitus, Suetonius histories
2.
Josephus
3.
Known to have struck at least two coins but they do not bear his
name. |
Festus |
Acts
24:27 - Roman procurator (governor) of Judea under Nero, succeeded
Felix; full name Porcius Festus; Paul appeared before him and
appealed to Caesar |
r. A.D.
60-62 |
1.
Josephus history
2.
Struck at least one coin but it bears the name, of Nero, not Festus |
Gallio |
Acts
18:12 - Proconsul of Achaia; Paul appeared before him while in
Corinth; Full name Junius Gallio Annaeus; forced to commit suicide |
ca.
A.D. 51-52 |
1.
Inscription at Delphi found in 1905 by E. Bourguet in which the
emperor Claudius calls Gallio his "friend" and proconsul of Achaia.
2.
Senaca, Pliny, Dio Cassius and Suetonius. |
Gamaliel |
Acts
5:34 - Member of Jewish Sanhedrin; Teacher of Paul |
ca.
A.D. 27 |
1.
Josephus
2.
Mishna calls him Gamaliel the Elder |
Gedaliah |
2 Kings
25:22 - Governor of Judah appointed by Nebuchadnezzar; murdered by
Jewish royal relatives |
ca. 586
B.C. |
Seal
impression (bulla) found at Lachish reads "Belonging to Gedaliah,
who is over the house" (Administrator of palace) |
Gemariah |
Jer.
29:3 - Emissary from Zedekiah to Nebuchadnezzar; Son of Hilkiah |
ca. 593
B.C. |
Lachish
Ostracon I mentions a "Gemariah son of Hissilyahn." |
Greshem
the Arab |
Nehemiah 2:19 - Opposed Nehemiah and building of Jerusalem Temple |
ca. 450
B.C. |
1.
Silver vessel from shrine at Tell >el - Maskhuta with Aramaic
inscription stating that it was presented by Cain, son of Geshem,
King of Qedar.
2.
Lihyanite inscription names Geshem along with the Persian governor
of Dedan. |
Hazael |
1 Kings
19:15 - King of Aram (Syria); succeeded (murdered) Ben-Hadad II |
r.
842-805 B.C. |
1.
Ivory inlay fragment found at Arslan Tash bears the name Hazael
2.
Cuneiform inscriptions of Shalmaneser III military campaigns
3.
Inscription on statue mentions Barhadad, son of Hazael |
Herod
the Great |
Mt. 2:1
- King of Judea |
r. 37-4
B.C. |
1.
Coins which have inscription Herod the King"
2.
Great builder of many monuments
3.
Josephus
4.
Inscription on column from Sica honored Herod
5. Pot
sherds found at Masada - one says "Herod, King of the Jews" |
Herod
the Tetrarch |
Luke
3:1 - Son of Herod the Great; ruler of Galilee & Persia during
Jesus' ministry; Rebuked by John the Baptist for marrying Herodias
and had him killed |
r. 4
B.C. - A.D. 39 |
1.
Coins simply bear name "Herod" or "Herod the tetrarch"
2.
Josephus |
Hezekiah |
Kings
18:2 - 13th King of Judah; dug tunnel for water from Gihon Spring |
r. ca.
715-686 B.C. |
1. Clay
bulla in Israel Museum bears inscription, "Jehozara,...servant of
Hezekiah."
2.
Sennacherib records shutting Hezekiah up like a bird in Jerusalem
and twice more mentions him elsewhere. |
Hezion |
1 Kings
15:18 - Father of Tabrimmon, father of Barhadad |
ca. 900
B.C. |
Stele
dedicated to god Baal Melqart found at Aleppo bears an Aramaic
inscription that mentions Barhadad, son of Tabrimmon, son of Hezion |
Hilkiah |
2 Kings
22:8 - high priest during Josiah=s reign who found scroll of Torah. |
ca. 639
B.C. |
Ring
with seal reads "belonging to Hanan, son of Hilkiah, the priest." |
Hophra |
Jer.
44:30 - Pharaoh of Egypt; 4th King of 26th Dynasty; also called
Wahibpre or Apries |
r.
588-564 B.C. |
1.
Stele records defeat of Apries by Amasis (in Cairo Museum)
2.
Palace found at Memphis
3. Vase
has a painting of Apries head and name in hieroglyphics
4.
Stele depicts him making offering to gods. |
Hoshea |
2 Kings
17:1 - 20th (and last) King of Israel |
r. ca.
732-722 B.C. |
1. Seal
purchased at Sotheby=s reads "Belonging to Abdi, servant of Hoshea"
2.
Tiglath-Pilser III records helping Hoshea come to throne. |
Israel
(Nation) |
Exodus
5:1 - The Old Testament name for the Jewish Nation |
1220
B.C. |
The
"Israel stele" of Merneotah is the earliest mention by the nation of
Israel in a secular source. |
Herodias |
Mt.
14:3 - Wife of Herod Antipus (after being married to his brother);
Mother of Salome who had John the Baptist beheaded |
ca.
A.D. 27 |
Josephus |
Jaazaniah |
2 Kings
25:23 - Army officer under Gedaliah |
ca. 605
B.C. |
Seal
found at Mizpah in 1932 bears inscription "Belonging to Jaazaniah,
servant of the King." |
James |
Mark
6:3 - Brother of Jesus |
ca.
A.D. 30 |
Josephus recounts that he was stoned. |
Jehoahaz |
2 Kings
23:31 - 17th King of Judah; son of Josiah |
r. ca.
609 B.C. |
Seal
reading "Belonging to Jehoahaz, the son of the King." |
Jehoiachin |
2 Kings
24:6 - also called Coniah; 19th ruler of Judah |
r. ca.
597 B.C. |
1. 4
pottery handles stamped with a seal that reads "Belonging to
Eliakim, steward of Jehoiachin."
2.
Cuneiform tablets found in Babylon record rations given to
"Jehoiachin, King of Judah." |
Jehohanan |
Ezra
10:6 - Son of Eliashib, the high priest |
ca. 407
B.C. |
1.
Elephantine papyrus to Biguai, governor of Judah, mentions Johanan,
the high priest of Jerusalem. |
Jehu |
1 Kings
19:16 - 11th King of Israel |
r. ca.
841-814 B.C. |
1.
Black obelisk of Shalmaneser III in British Museum depicts Jehu
bowing and tells of the "tribute of Jehu, son of Omri."
2.
Cuneiform tablet of Shalmaneser III, also records receiving tribute
from "Jehu." |
Jerahmeel |
Jeremiah 36:26 - "Son" of the King Jehoiahim (possibly an official)
sent to arrest Jeremiah and Baruch |
ca. 605
B.C. |
Seal
with inscription "Belonging to Jerahmeel, the son of the King." |
Jeroboam II |
2 Kings
13:13 - 14th King of Israel; son of Jehoash |
r. ca.
793-753 B.C. |
Seal of
Jasper found at Megiddo has a roaring lion and the inscription
ABelonging to Shema, servant of Jeroboam.@ |
Jesus |
Mt. 1:1
- the Christ, the Son of God |
d. A.D.
31 |
Roman
Historians - Tacitus, Josephus, Lucian, Suetonius, Pliny the Younger |
Jezebel |
1 Kings
16:31 - Wife of Ahab; wicked Baal worshiping queen |
r. ca.
874-853 B.C. |
Fine
seal in the Israel Museum has the name AJezebel.@ |
Jehoash
(Joash) |
2 Kings
13:10 - 13th King of Israel; son of Jehoahuz |
r. ca.
801-786 B.C. |
On a
stele found at Tell al-Riman in 1967, Assyrian King Adad-Nirari III
relates how he received tribute from AJehoash the Samarian.@ |
John
the Baptist |
Mt. 3:1
- Prophet pointing to Jesus |
ca.
A.D. 27 |
Josephus tells of his death. |
Jotham |
2 Kings
15:32 - 11th King of Judah |
r. ca.
750-731 B.C. |
1.
Seal, signet ring found at Ezion Geber (Elath) inscription -
ABelonging to Jotham@ also ram in seal - in Smithsonian Institution.
2.
Bulla in collection of Shlomo Moussaieff which reads AAhaz (son of)
Jotham, King of Judah.@ |
Judas
the Galilean |
Acts
5:37 - Gamaliel names him as having led a failed revolt. |
ca. 4
B.C. |
Josephus |
Lysanias |
Luke
3:1 - Tetrarch of Abilene |
A.D. 27 |
1.
Josephus
2.
Inscription for dedication of temple at Abila mentions ALysanias the
Tetrarch.@ |
Manasseh |
2 Kings
20:21 - 14th King of Judah |
r. ca.
697-642 B.C. |
1. Seal
reading ABelonging to Manassah, the son of the King@ may be from
time when he was crown prince.
2.
Esarhaddon lists AManassah, King of Judah@ on Prism B which lists
those who contributed material to his new palace.
3.
Ashurbanipal, on Cylinder C, lists AManassah, King of Judah@ as
being forced to accompany him on his Egyptian campaign. |
Menahem |
2 Kings
15:17 - 17th King of Israel |
r. ca.
752-742 B.C. |
Tiglath-Pileser relates in a cuneiform text found at Calah that he
received tribute from AMenahem of Samaria.@ |
Merodach-Baladar |
2 Kings
20:12 - King of Babylon |
r. ca.
721-709 B.C. |
1.
Stele for a land grant depicts Merodach-Baladar and has text about
him.
2.
Babylonian chronicle
3. King
List A
4.
Numerous cuneiform inscriptions of Tiglath-Pileser III, Sargon II,
and Sennacherib.
5.
Cuneiform cylinder written by Merodach-Baladar boasting of driving
out Assyrians. |
Mesha |
2 Kings
3:4 - King of Moab |
ca. 853
B.C. |
On
Moabite stone, Mesha complains about having been oppressed by Omri,
King of Israel and boasts of driving Israel out. |
Mordecai |
Est.
2:5 - Gate official in reign of Ahasuerus at Sousa |
ca. 486
B.C. |
Undated
tablet found at Borsippa speaks of a Mordecai who served in Sousa
during Xerxes reign. |
Nebuchadnezzar |
2 Kings
24:1; Daniel 1:1 - Babylonian King; conquered Judah; God gave
prophecies |
r.
605-562 B.C. |
1. Many
cuneiform inscriptions - Babylonian Chronicle; building dedications.
2. Clay
bricks of Babylon contain his name
3.
Boundary stone from Sippar records land grant by Nebuchadnezzar
4.
Business texts dated by Nebuchadnezzar=s reign. |
Neco
(Necho) |
2 Kings
23:29 - Pharaoh of Egypt; 26th dynasty; fought and killed Josiah |
r. ca.
610-595 B.C. |
1.
Sculpture in University Museum
2.
Ushabti
3. Bowl
found at Persepolis bears name and titles.
4.
Stele at Sidon with name in hieroglyphics. |
Nergalsharezer |
Jer.
39:3 - Called a prince in Babylon; son-in-law of Nebuchadnezzar;
ruled Babylon after Evil-Merodach. |
Ca.
559-556 B.C. |
1.
Cuneiform tablets of contracts.
2.
Tablets tell that he rebuilt temples.
3.
Cuneiform text tells of military campaign into Cilicia. |
Nero |
Acts
25:8 - Not called by Nero in Bible, but by ACaesar.@ Caesar whom
Paul appealed to. |
A.D.
54-68 |
1.
Coins bear his name and likeness.
2.
Statues
3.
Contemporary historians |
Omri |
1 Kings
16:16 - 6th King of Israel |
r. ca.
885-874 B.C. |
1.
Mesha stele (Moabite stone) tells that AOmri, King of Israel@
subjugated Moab.
2.
Assyrian records refer to Israel as AOmri-land@ or Athe house of
Omri.@
3.
Black obelisk refers to AJehu, son of Omri.@ |
Paul
the Apostle |
Acts
13:9 |
ca.
A.D. 33 |
Portion
of Marble inscription found on Cyprus that could be reconstructed
APaul Apostle@ |
Pekah |
2 Kings
15:27 - 19th King of Israel |
r. ca.
740-732 B.C. |
1.
Tiglath-Pileser III records in an annalistic text that he overturned
Pekah.
2.
Pottery jar at Hazor from the time of Pekah is inscribed with name
APekah.@ |
Philip
(Herod) |
Mark
6:17 - 1st husband of Herodias |
ca.
A.D. 25 |
Josephus tells about him and calls him Herod. |
Philip
the Tetrarch |
Luke
3:1 - Tetrarch of part of Palestine; son of Herod the Great and
Cleopatra of Jerusalem; married Salome |
r. 4
B.C. - A.D. 34 |
1.
Josephus
2.
Coins with inscription APhilip the Tetrarch.@
3.
Nabatean text mentions erection of a statue Ain the year 33 of our
Lord Philip.@ |
Pontius
Pilate |
Luke
3:1 - Governor of Judea; allowed crucifixion of Jesus |
r. ca.
A.D. 26-36 |
1.
Josephus, Tacitus, Philo
2.
Latin inscription found in 1961 at Theater in Caesarea tells us that
APontius Pilate, the prefect of Judea@ built a temple for Tiberius.
3.
Coins that are known to be Pilate=s do not bear his name. |
Publius |
Acts
28:7 - Chief man of Malta |
c.a.
A.D. 50 |
Inscriptions on Malta refer to the 1st man of the island and others
refer to Publius. |
Pul (Tiglath-Pileser
III) |
2 Kings
15:19 - Assyrian King; called Pul in Bible; his records mention
several Jewish kings. |
r. ca.
745-727 B.C. |
1.
Palace found at Ninevah.
2.
Another palace found with reliefs of Tiglath-Pileser
3.
Numerous cuneiform tablets including 2 King lists and the annals of
Tiglath-Pileser. |
Quirinius |
Luke
2:2 - Governor of Syria at time of Jesus=s birth |
r. ca.
12 B.C. - 21 A.D. |
1.
Inscription found in Antioch of Pisidia names Quirinius as legatus.
2.
Contemporary histories - Tacitus
3.
Josephus |
Rezin |
2 Kings
15:37 - King of Aram (Syria); killed by Tiglath-Pileser III |
d. 732
B.C. |
1.
Cuneiform tablet of Tiglath-Pileser III lists tribute received from
Rezin
2.
Tablet tells of fall of Damascus and names Rezin. |
Sanballat |
Neh.
2:10 - governor of Samaria who opposed Nehemiah=s rebuilding
projects |
ca. 450
B.C. |
1.
Aramaic papyrus from Elephantine refers to Athe sons of Sanballat,
governor of Samaria.@
2.
Scrolls found in Waid Daliyeh refer twice to a Ason of Sanballat@
... once in a sealing and once in an Aramaic test. |
Sargon II |
Isa.
20:1 - King of Assyria; brother of Shalmaneser V |
r.
722-705 B.C. |
1.
Palace found at Khorsabad with multiple carvings of Sargon in
relief.
2.
Extensive cuneiform texts tell about his exploits and reign (which
include the annals & Sargon=s prism).
3.
Fragment of stele found at Ashdod and erected after Sargon=s
victory. |
Sennacherib |
2 Kings
18:13 - Assyrian King; son of Sargon II |
r. ca.
705-681 B.C. |
1.
Prism of Sennacherib records that he besieged Jerusalem and made
Hezekiah a prisoner in Jerusalem, his royal residence - Alike a bird
in a cage.@
2.
Palace at Ninevah records his siege of Lachish with portraits and
name of Sennacherib
3.
Extensive cuneiform texts. |
Seriah |
Jeremiah 51:59 - Sent by Jeremiah to Babylon with Zesekiam |
ca. 610
B.C. |
Personal seal reading ABelonging to Seriah, son of Neriah.@ |
Sergius
Paulus |
Acts
13:7 - Roman proconsul (governor) of Cyprus; Converted by Paul on
1st missionary journey |
ca.
A.D. 46 |
Latin
inscription lists name of L. Sergius Paulus as an official of the
Tiber. |
Shalmaneser V |
2 Kings
17:3 - King of Assyria; son of Tiglath-Pileser |
r.
727-722 B.C. |
1.
Babylonian Chronicle cites his activities.
2. Name
found on boundary stone to date an event to his third year.
3.
Bronze weight has inscription which contains his name.
4.
Babylonian King list records him. |
Sharezer |
2 Kings
19:37 - Son of Sennacherib; helped kill his father. |
ca. 681
B.C. |
Cuneiform tablet refers to Nabusharuzur as an officer in right time
period. |
Shebna |
2 Kings
18:18 - Court official of Hezekiah |
ca. 700
B.C. |
Partial
tomb inscription found in Silvan has been reconstructed by Avigad to
contain part of Shebna=s name. |
Shishak |
1 Kings
11:40 - Pharaoh of Egypt; 22nd Dynasty; also called Sheshonq I;
attacked Judah and Israel |
r.
945-924 B.C. |
1.
Massive reliefs on temple of Amun at Karnak.
2.
Mummy case in Cairo Museum.
3.
Victory stele at Megiddo.
4. Gold
bracelet found in tomb of grandson is inscribed with Shishak=s name.
5.
Chair of a seated statue found at Byblos bears Shishak=s name. |
Tabrimmon |
1 Kings
15:18 - Father of Ben Hadad |
ca. 900
B.C. |
Stele
dedicated to god Baal Melgart found at Aleppo bears an Aramaic
inscription that mentions Ben Hadad as son Tabrimmon, King of
Damascus. |
Tattenai |
Ezra
5:3 - Governor of Samaria during reign of Darius the Great who
opposed building of Jerusalem. |
ca. 450
B.C. |
Cuneiform tablet refers to a slave of Tatutanni. |
Theudas |
Acts
5:36 - Led a failed revolt referred to by Gamaliel. |
ca. 6
B.C. or A.D. 34 |
Josephus |
Tiberius |
Luke
3:1 - Roman Caesar during Jesus= ministry |
r. A.D.
14-37 |
1.
Josephus
2.
Contemporary Roman historians.
3.
Numerous statues.
4.
Coins with inscription and portrait.
5.
Inscription from Caesarea when Pontius Pilate dedicated a temple to
Tiberius. |
Tirhakah or Taharqa |
2 Kings
19:9: Egyptian King; also known as Taharqa |
r.
690-604 B.C. |
1.
Inscribed stele tells of Taharka=s rise to the throne.
2.
Funerary stele of an Apis bull dated to 26th year of Taharqa.
3.
Numerous stele and building inscriptions.
4. Art
objects with his name.
5. Tomb
found, but empty.
6.
Numerous cuneiform texts of Assyrian Kings Esarhaddon and
Ashurpanipal - Senjirli stele actually has picture of Taharqa. |
Tobiah |
Neh.
2:19 - Tobiah the Ammonite; tried to prevent the rebuilding of
Jerusalem by Nehemiah. |
ca. 450
B.C. |
1.
Family tomb from 6th century B.C. that bears name Tobiah.
2. Name
found in the Zenon papyri. |
Uzziah |
2 Kings
15:13 - also called Azariah; 10th King of Judah; leper when he died. |
r.
790-739 B.C. |
Aramaic
inscription on a stone plaque - 13" x 14" - reads "Hither were
brought the bones of Uzziah, King of Judah." Plaque found in tomb on
Mt. of Olives but bones were not found. |
|