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Ancient Mysteries & Interpretations

The Black Obelisk: Jehu before Shalmaneser

Shalmaneser III's Black Obelisk (British Museum BM 118885), found at Nimrud in 1846, shows tribute bearers from five lands. The second register shows a man bowing before the king, labeled "Tribute of Jehu (Ia-ú-a) son of Omri." It records the year 841 BC. It is the only known contemporary picture of a king of Israel or Judah, or of his envoy.

Obelisk: documented · Jehu's tribute: documented · Figure: Jehu or envoy (debated)

The Black Obelisk relief of Jehu bowing before Shalmaneser III
Authentic ancient artifactThe panel of the Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III (British Museum) labeled "Tribute of Jehu son of Omri" (841 BC). The kneeling figure is Jehu or his envoy.Image credit

1 What Scripture says

"And the time that Jehu reigned over Israel in Samaria was twenty and eight years" (2 Kings 10:36).

2 What evidence we might expect

  • Jehu submitting to Assyria in his first year, when Shalmaneser campaigned west in 841 BC.

3 What ancient sources survive

Black Obelisk epigraphs

Language
Akkadian
Composed
c. 825 BC
Oldest surviving copy
British Museum BM 118885
Status
Not scripture

"Tribute of Jehu son of Omri: silver, gold, a golden bowl, a golden vase…"

4 What discoveries exist

Excavated by Austen Henry Layard at Nimrud. Shalmaneser's annals for his 18th year (841 BC) also record tribute from "Jehu son of Omri" after he fought Hazael.

The Black Obelisk relief of Jehu bowing before Shalmaneser III
Authentic ancient artifactThe panel of the Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III (British Museum) labeled "Tribute of Jehu son of Omri" (841 BC). The kneeling figure is Jehu or his envoy.Image credit

5 How interpretations compare

Scholarly reconstruction

Jehu himself

The kneeling figure is Jehu in person.

Scholarly reconstruction

An envoy

The figure represents Jehu's emissary bringing tribute.

Alternative explanation

"Son of Omri" literal

Jehu was actually descended from Omri.

Assessment: Kings says he destroyed Omri's house; Assyria used "house of Omri" as Israel's name.

6 The strongest supported reconstruction

Jehu submitted to Assyria in 841 BC, which Kings does not mention.

7 What remains possible or unknown

  • Whether the figure is the king.

What the evidence shows

Where this connects