Egyptian Warfare > Sack of Jerusalem (10th Century BC)

Sack of Jerusalem (10th Century BC)

Background

The Sack of Jerusalem in the 10th century BCE refers to the event when the city of Jerusalem, then under the rule of the United Kingdom of Israel and Judah, was captured and looted by an invading force. While the details of this sack are not extensively documented in historical records, it is traditionally associated with the military campaign of the Egyptian Pharaoh Shoshenq I, also known as Shishak, around 925 BCE. Here's an overview:

1. Background: In the 10th century BCE, the United Kingdom of Israel and Judah, under the reign of King Rehoboam, faced internal unrest and external threats. Following the death of King Solomon, the kingdom split into two: the northern Kingdom of Israel and the southern Kingdom of Judah. Jerusalem remained the capital of the Kingdom of Judah.

2. Egyptian Invasion: Pharaoh Shoshenq I of the Twenty-Second Dynasty of Egypt launched a military campaign into the Levant, aiming to expand Egyptian influence and control over the region. His campaign included the sack of several cities, including Jerusalem. The reasons for Shoshenq's invasion are not entirely clear, but it likely involved territorial ambitions and the desire to assert Egyptian dominance in the region.

3. Capture and Looting: The invading Egyptian army, led by Pharaoh Shoshenq I, besieged and captured Jerusalem. The city was sacked, and its wealth and treasures were plundered by the Egyptian forces. The extent of the destruction and looting inflicted upon Jerusalem during this sack is not well-documented, but it likely caused significant damage to the city's infrastructure and economy.

4. Aftermath: Following the sack of Jerusalem, Pharaoh Shoshenq I established Egyptian control over the region and imposed tribute on the Kingdom of Judah. The invasion and sack of Jerusalem marked a period of turmoil and instability for the kingdom, as it struggled to recover from the devastation caused by the Egyptian incursion.

5. Historical Accounts: The Sack of Jerusalem by Pharaoh Shoshenq I is mentioned in both biblical and Egyptian sources. The Hebrew Bible, particularly in the Books of Kings and Chronicles, provides accounts of the invasion and its aftermath, attributing it to divine punishment for the kingdom's sins. Egyptian sources, such as the Karnak reliefs and the Bubastite Portal inscription, also mention Shoshenq's military campaign and the capture of various cities in the Levant.

6. Legacy: The Sack of Jerusalem by Pharaoh Shoshenq I had a lasting impact on the Kingdom of Judah and its relationship with Egypt. It underscored the vulnerability of Jerusalem to external threats and highlighted the complex geopolitics of the region during the Iron Age. The event is remembered in biblical tradition as a period of punishment and repentance for the kingdom's transgressions.

In summary, the Sack of Jerusalem in the 10th century BCE, attributed to Pharaoh Shoshenq I of Egypt, was a significant event that resulted in the capture and looting of the city by an invading force. While the details of the sack are not extensively documented, it had lasting repercussions for the Kingdom of Judah and its relationship with Egypt during the Iron Age.

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Egypt Warfare