2 Kings 15:29
In the days of Pekah king of Israel, Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria came and captured Ijon, Abel-beth-maacah, Janoah, Kedesh, Hazor, Gilead, and Galilee, all the land of Naphtali, and he carried the people captive to Assyria.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
It's easy to skim over this list of conquered cities, but notice how they're all in the northern part of Israel. This wasn't just a random raid; Tiglath-pileser's invasion specifically targeted the northern tribes, a foreshadowing of the complete destruction of the northern kingdom that would come later.
This passage describes a brutal Assyrian invasion during the reign of Pekah, king of Israel. Tiglath-pileser, the powerful Assyrian king, conquers a significant portion of northern Israel, specifically targeting the territory of Naphtali, and deports its inhabitants. This event sets the stage for further Assyrian dominance and the eventual fall of the northern kingdom, highlighting the dire political reality faced by Israel at this time.
The verse lists several specific towns and regions. What does this geographical detail reveal about Assyria's invasion strategy and its devastating impact?
Tiglath-pileser's campaign wasn't random; it was a systematic dismantling of the northern kingdom of Israel, specifically focusing on the territory of Naphtali.
Strategic Targets
This targeted approach aimed not just to conquer land but to break the spirit and the capacity of the people to rebuild or rebel.
The verse ends with a stark consequence: the people were taken captive. What does this act of exile signify beyond just physical displacement?
The Assyrian conquest culminated in a forced deportation – the people of Naphtali were ripped from their homes and sent to Assyria.
The Purpose of Exile
This passage highlights the devastating impact of Assyrian imperial power on the Northern Kingdom of Israel, showing how Tiglath-pileser III's military campaigns gradually dismantled its territory and population long before its final destruction.
c. 745 BC
Tiglath-pileser III becomes king
Tiglath-pileser III ascended the throne of Assyria, initiating a period of renewed military expansion and administrative reform.
738 BC
Assyrian tribute from Israel
King Menahem of Israel paid heavy tribute to Tiglath-pileser III, likely to secure Assyrian backing against internal rivals and potential threats from Damascus and Samaria.
c. 734-733 BC— this verse
Assyrian invasion of the Northern Kingdom
Tiglath-pileser III launched a major campaign against the northern kingdom of Israel (also known as Ephraim or Samaria), responding to the anti-Assyrian coalition formed by Pekah of Israel and Rezin of Aram-Damascus.
c. 733 BC
Fall of Damascus
Assyrian forces captured and destroyed the Aramean capital of Damascus, ending the threat posed by the Aram-Damascus kingdom. Rezin, its king, was killed.
This passage describes the same Assyrian deportation event, highlighting the consequences of Israel's sin and emphasizing God's judgment through Assyria's power.
2 Kings 17:6This verse references the same captivity of the northern kingdom of Israel, further detailing the extensive nature of the Assyrian conquest and its impact on the entire populace.
Isaiah 9:1This prophetic passage foretells the initial devastation and darkness that would fall upon the Galilee region, which was captured in 2 Kings 15:29, offering a glimpse of hope amidst the judgment.
Amos 3:11This verse speaks generally about enemies surrounding and destroying the land, mirroring the historical event of Tiglath-pileser's invasion and the subsequent exile of the Israelites.
It's easy to skim over this list of conquered cities, but notice how they're all in the northern part of Israel. This wasn't just a random raid; Tiglath-pileser's invasion specifically targeted the northern tribes, a foreshadowing of the complete destruction of the northern kingdom that would come later.
This passage describes a brutal Assyrian invasion during the reign of Pekah, king of Israel. Tiglath-pileser, the powerful Assyrian king, conquers a significant portion of northern Israel, specifically targeting the territory of Naphtali, and deports its inhabitants. This event sets the stage for further Assyrian dominance and the eventual fall of the northern kingdom, highlighting the dire political reality faced by Israel at this time.
This passage describes a brutal Assyrian invasion during the reign of Pekah, king of Israel. Tiglath-pileser, the powerful Assyrian king, conquers a significant portion of northern Israel, specifically targeting the territory of Naphtali, and deports its inhabitants. This event sets the stage for further Assyrian dominance and the eventual fall of the northern kingdom, highlighting the dire political reality faced by Israel at this time.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about 2 Kings 15:29 is available in the Sola app.
This wasn't just a military defeat; it was an act of cultural and spiritual disruption.
732 BC
Hoshea becomes king of Israel
Following the Assyrian invasion, Pekah was likely assassinated, and the pro-Assyrian Hoshea was installed as king of Israel, though under direct Assyrian vassalage.
722 BC
Fall of Samaria and end of Israel
The northern kingdom of Israel ultimately fell to Assyrian conquest under Shalmaneser V and Sargon II, with its capital Samaria captured and its people exiled.
"In the days of Pekah king of Israel, Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria came and captured Ijon, Abel-beth-maacah, Janoah, Kedesh, Hazor, Gilead, and Galilee, all the land of Naphtali, and he carried the people captive to Assyria." — It's easy to skim over this list of conquered cities, but notice how they're all in the northern part of Israel. This wasn't just a random raid; Tiglath-pileser's invasion specifically targeted the n…
