53 People in the BAS Library

Lawrence Mykytiuk’s popular BAR feature “Archaeology Confirms 50 Real People in the Bible” describes 50 Hebrew Bible figures that have been identified archaeologically. His follow-up article, “Archaeology Confirms 3 More Bible People,” adds another three people to the list. In this BAS Library Special Collection, BAR editors have arranged an extensive list of Biblical Archaeology Review, Bible Review and Archaeology Odyssey articles that provide additional context for each figure.

Mykytiuk has supplemented his BAR articles with a complete online list of endnotes detailing the archaeological evidence identifying each Biblical figure. We know that not all of our readers have access to some of the relatively obscure scholarly publications mentioned in his endnotes, so we put together a list of BAS Library-exclusive articles on each of the 53 figures.

In some cases (such as King David), the BAS Library has dozens of articles on the Biblical and archaeological evidence related to a single figure. In these cases, we only included the three articles that best explore the archaeological evidence for the Biblical figure, or best explain their relevance to the period’s history. In other cases, the figure Mykytiuk identified is relatively obscure (such as Ben-hadad, son of Hadadezer) and we have included articles from Biblical Archaeology Review, Bible Review or Archaeology Odyssey that briefly mention the figure or provide the historical context in which they can be understood.

Egypt

1. Shishak (= Shoshenq I), pharaoh, r. 945–924, 1 Kings 11:40 and 14:25

Did Pharaoh Sheshonq Attack Jerusalem?

Yigal Levin, Biblical Archaeology Review, Jul/Aug 2012

Shishak’s Military Campaign in Israel Confirmed

Sidebar to: Alan R. Millard, “Does the Bible Exaggerate King Solomon’s Golden Wealth?” Biblical Archaeology Review, May/Jun 1989

2. So (= Osorkon IV), pharaoh, r. 730–715, 2 Kings 17:4

Where Did Solomon’s Gold Go?

Kenneth A. Kitchen, Sidebar to Alan R. Millard, “Does the Bible Exaggerate King Solomon’s Golden Wealth?” Biblical Archaeology Review, May/Jun 1989

3. Tirhakah (= Taharqa), pharaoh, r. 690–664, 2 Kings 19:9, etc.

Rewriting Jerusalem History: Jerusalem Under Siege

William H. Shea, Biblical Archaeology Review, Nov/Dec 1999

Sennacherib’s Siege of Jerusalem: Once or Twice?

Mordechai Cogan, Biblical Archaeology Review, Jan/Feb 2001

4. Necho II (= Neco II), pharaoh, r. 610–595, 2 Chronicles 35:20, etc.

Caught Between the Great Powers

Abraham Malamat, Biblical Archaeology Review, Jul/Aug 1999

What Was Josiah Thinking?

Peter Cooper, Sidebar to: Eric H. Cline, “Why Megiddo?” Bible Review, Jun 2000

5. Hophra (= Apries = Wahibre), pharaoh, r. 589–570, Jeremiah 44:30

The Evidence: Funerary Stelae

Sidebar to: Leo Depuydt, “How to Date a Pharaoh,” Archaeology Odyssey, Jul/Aug 2005 [minor reference only]

Moab

6. Mesha, king, r. early to mid-9th century, 2 Kings 3:4–27

Why the Moabite Stone Was Blown to Pieces

Siegfried H. Horn, Biblical Archaeology Review, May/Jun 1986

Why King Mesha of Moab Sacrificed His Oldest Son

Baruch Margalit, Biblical Archaeology Review, Nov/Dec 1986

Moab Comes to Life

P. M. Michèle Daviau and Paul-Eugène Dion, Biblical Archaeology Review, Jan/Feb 2002

Aram-Damascus

7. Hadadezer, king, r. early 9th century to 844/842, 1 Kings 22:3, etc.

Did King Jehu Kill His Own Family?

Tammi Schneider, Biblical Archaeology Review, Jan/Feb 1995

8. Ben-hadad, son of Hadadezer, r. or served as co-regent 844/842, 2 Kings 6:24, etc.

“David” Found at Dan

Biblical Archaeology Review, Mar/Apr 1994. [Minor references only]

Tripartite Buildings: Divided Structures Divide Scholars

Moshe Kochavi, Biblical Archaeology Review, May/Jun 1999 [Minor references only]

9. Hazael, king, r. 844/842–ca. 800, 1 Kings 19:15, etc.

Did King Jehu Kill His Own Family?

Tammi Schneider, Biblical Archaeology Review, Jan/Feb 1995

“David” Found at Dan

Biblical Archaeology Review, Mar/Apr 1994

Excavating Philistine Gath: Have We Found Goliath’s Hometown?

Carl S. Ehrlich and Aren M. Maeir, Biblical Archaeology Review, Nov/Dec 2001

10. Ben-hadad, son of Hazael, king, r. early 8th century, 2 Kings 13:3, etc.

Excavating Philistine Gath: Have We Found Goliath’s Hometown?

Carl S. Ehrlich and Aren M. Maeir, Biblical Archaeology Review, Nov/Dec 2001 [Minor reference only]

11. Rezin (= Raḥianu), king, r. mid-8th century to 732, 2 Kings 15:37, etc.

Israelites in Exile

K. Lawson Younger, Jr., Biblical Archaeology Review, Nov/Dec 2003

Northern Kingdom of Israel

12. Omri, king, r. 884–873, 1 Kings 16:16, etc.

Why the Moabite Stone Was Blown to Pieces

Siegfried H. Horn, Biblical Archaeology Review, May/Jun 1986

The Black Obelisk

Sidebar to: Erika Belibtreu, “Grisly Assyrian Record of Torture and Death.” Biblical Archaeology Review, Jan/Feb 1991

Did King Jehu Kill His Own Family?

Tammi Schneider, Biblical Archaeology Review, Jan/Feb 1995

13. Ahab, king, r. 873–852, 1 Kings 16:28, etc.,

How Bad Was Ahab?

Ephraim Stern, Biblical Archaeology Review, Mar/Apr 1993

Jezreel—Where Jezebel Was Thrown to the Dogs

David Ussishkin, Biblical Archaeology Review, Jul/Aug 2010

Israelite Kings in Non-Biblical, Non-Israelite Inscriptions

Sidebar to: Baruch Halpern, “Erasing History,”Bible Review, Dec 1995

14. Jehu, king, r. 842/841–815/814, 1 Kings 19:16, etc.

Portraits of Ancient Israelite Kings?

Irit Ziffer, Biblical Archaeology Review, Sep/Oct 2013

Did King Jehu Kill His Own Family?

Tammi Schneider, Biblical Archaeology Review, Jan/Feb 1995

The Black Obelisk

Sidebar to: Erika Belibtreu, “Grisly Assyrian Record of Torture and Death.” Biblical Archaeology Review, Jan/Feb 1991

15. Joash (= Jehoash), king, r. 805–790, 2 Kings 13:9, etc.

The Persisting Uncertainties of Kuntillet Ajrud

Hershel Shanks, Biblical Archaeology Review, Nov/Dec 2012

Israelite Kings in Non-Biblical, Non-Israelite Inscriptions

Sidebar to: Baruch Halpern, “Erasing History,”Bible Review, Dec 1995

16. Jeroboam II, king, r. 790–750/749, 2 Kings 13:13, etc.

First Person: Have You Seen This Seal?

Hershel Shanks, Biblical Archaeology Review, Jan/Feb 2000

Israelites in Exile

K. Lawson Younger, Jr., Biblical Archaeology Review, Nov/Dec 2003

17. Menahem, king, r. 749–738, 2 Kings 15:14, etc.

Israelites in Exile

K. Lawson Younger, Jr., Biblical Archaeology Review, Nov/Dec 2003

The Patriarchal Age: Myth or History?

Kenneth A. Kitchen, Biblical Archaeology Review, Mar/Apr 1995

Israelite Kings in Non-Biblical, Non-Israelite Inscriptions

Sidebar to: Baruch Halpern, “Erasing History,”Bible Review, Dec 1995

18. Pekah, king, r. 750(?)–732/731, 2 Kings 15:25, etc.

Israelite Kings in Non-Biblical, Non-Israelite Inscriptions

Sidebar to: Baruch Halpern, “Erasing History,”Bible Review, Dec 1995

Israelites in Exile

K. Lawson Younger, Jr., Biblical Archaeology Review, Nov/Dec 2003

19. Hoshea, king, r. 732/731–722, 2 Kings 15:30, etc.

Royal Signature: Name of Israel’s Last King Surfaces in a Private Collection

André Lemaire, Biblical Archaeology Review, Nov/Dec 1995

Israelite Kings in Non-Biblical, Non-Israelite Inscriptions

Sidebar to: Baruch Halpern, “Erasing History,”Bible Review, Dec 1995

20. Sanballat “I,” governor of Samaria under Persian rule, ca. mid-fifth century, Nehemiah 2:10, etc.

The Historical Importance of the Samaria Papyri

Frank Moore Cross, Biblical Archaeology Review, Mar 1978

Bells, Pendants, Snakes and Stones

Yitzhak Magen, Biblical Archaeology Review, Nov/Dec 2010

Southern Kingdom of Judah

21. David, king, r. ca. 1010–970, 1 Samuel 16:13, etc.

“David” Found at Dan

Biblical Archaeology Review, Mar/Apr 1994

“House of David” Restored in Moabite Inscription

André Lemaire, Biblical Archaeology Review, May/Jun 1994

Has David Been Found in Egypt?

Hershel Shanks, Biblical Archaeology Review, Jan/Feb 1999

22. Uzziah (= Azariah), king, r. 788/787–736/735, 2 Kings 14:21, etc.

Royal Signature: Name of Israel’s Last King Surfaces in a Private Collection

André Lemaire, Biblical Archaeology Review, Nov/Dec 1995

The City of Salt

Zvi Greenhut, Biblical Archaeology Review, Jul/Aug 1993

Israelite Kings in Non-Biblical, Non-Israelite Inscriptions

Sidebar to: Baruch Halpern, “Erasing History,”Bible Review, Dec 1995

23. Ahaz (= Jehoahaz), king, r. 742/741–726, 2 Kings 15:38, etc.

First Impression: What We Learn from King Ahaz’s Seal

Robert Deutsch, Biblical Archaeology Review, May/Jun 1998

Erasing History

Baruch Halpern, Bible Review, Dec 1995

Israel in Exile

Zvi Gal, Biblical Archaeology Review, May/Jun 1998

24. Hezekiah, king, r. 726–697/696, 2 Kings 16:20, etc.

In the Path of Sennacherib

Oded Borowski, Biblical Archaeology Review, May/Jun 2005

Sennacherib’s Siege of Jerusalem: Once or Twice?

Mordechai Cogan, Biblical Archaeology Review, Jan/Feb 2001

Israelite Kings in Non-Biblical, Non-Israelite Inscriptions

Sidebar to: Baruch Halpern, “Erasing History,”Bible Review, Dec 1995

25. Manasseh, king, r. 697/696–642/641, 2 Kings 20:21, etc.

Arad—An Ancient Israelite Fortress with a Temple to Yahweh

Miriam Aharoni, Ze’ev Herzog and Anson F. Rainey, Biblical Archaeology Review, Mar/Apr 1987

Israelite Kings in Non-Biblical, Non-Israelite Inscriptions

Sidebar to: Baruch Halpern, “Erasing History,”Bible Review, Dec 1995

Strata: The Taxing Work of Archaeology

Biblical Archaeology Review, Mar/Apr 2012

26. Hilkiah, high priest during Josiah’s reign, within 640/639–609, 2 Kings 22:4, etc.

Name of Deuteronomy’s Author Found on Seal Ring

Josette Elayi, Biblical Archaeology Review, Sep/Oct 1987

Six Biblical Signatures

Tsvi Schneider, Biblical Archaeology Review, Jul/Aug 1991

“Signature” of King Hezekiah’s Servant Recovered

Biblical Archaeology Review, Dec 1975

27. Shaphan, scribe during Josiah’s reign, within 640/639–609, 2 Kings 22:3, etc.

Six Biblical Signatures

Tsvi Schneider, Biblical Archaeology Review, Jul/Aug 1991

Royal Rosettes: Fit for a King

Jane M. Cahill, Biblical Archaeology Review, Sep/Oct 1997

Which Came First?

Sidebar to: Steve Delamarter, “Thus Far the Words of Jeremiah,” Bible Review, Oct 1999

28. Azariah, high priest during Josiah’s reign, within 640/639–609, 1 Chronicles 5:39, etc.

Six Biblical Signatures

Tsvi Schneider, Biblical Archaeology Review, Jul/Aug 1991

Name of Deuteronomy’s Author Found on Seal Ring

Josette Elayi, Biblical Archaeology Review, Sep/Oct 1987

29. Gemariah, official during Jehoiakim’s reign, within 609–598, Jeremiah 36:10, etc.

Six Biblical Signatures

Tsvi Schneider, Biblical Archaeology Review, Jul/Aug 1991

30. Jehoiachin (= Jeconiah = Coniah), king, r. 598–597, 2 Kings 24:5, etc.

The Yoke of Nebuchadnezzar

Sidebar to: Ephraim Stern, “The Babylonian Gap,” Biblical Archaeology Review, Nov/Dec 2000

31. Shelemiah, father of Jehucal the official, late 7th century, Jeremiah 37:3; 38:1

and

32. Jehucal (= Jucal), official during Zedekiah’s reign, fl. within 597–586, Jeremiah 37:3; 38:1

Did I Find King David’s Palace?

Eilat Mazar, Biblical Archaeology Review, Jan/Feb 2006

The Wall That Nehemiah Built

Eilat Mazar, Biblical Archaeology Review, Mar/Apr 2009

The Interchange Between Bible and Archaeology

Nadav Na’aman, Biblical Archaeology Review, Jan/Feb 2014

33. Pashhur, father of Gedaliah the official, late 7th century, Jeremiah 38:1

and

34. Gedaliah, official during Zedekiah’s reign, fl. within 597–586, Jeremiah 38:1 only

Jeremiah’s Opponents

Sidebar to: Eilat Mazar, “The Wall That Nehemiah Built,” Biblical Archaeology Review, Mar/Apr 2009

The Interchange Between Bible and Archaeology

Nadav Na’aman, Biblical Archaeology Review, Jan/Feb 2014

Assyria

35. Tiglath-pileser III (= Pul), king, r. 744–727, 2 Kings 15:19, etc.

Israel in Exile

Zvi Gal, Biblical Archaeology Review, May/Jun 1998

Grisly Assyrian Record of Torture and Death

Erika Bleibtreu, Biblical Archaeology Review, Jan/Feb 1991

36. Shalmaneser V (= Ululaya), king, r. 726–722, 2 Kings 17:2, etc.

Did King Jehu Kill His Own Family?

Tammi Schneider, Biblical Archaeology Review, Jan/Feb 1995

Grisly Assyrian Record of Torture and Death

Erika Bleibtreu, Biblical Archaeology Review, Jan/Feb 1991

37. Sargon II, king, r. 721–705, Isaiah 20:1

Grisly Assyrian Record of Torture and Death

Erika Bleibtreu, Biblical Archaeology Review, Jan/Feb 1991

Israelites in Exile

K. Lawson Younger, Jr., Biblical Archaeology Review, Nov/Dec 2003

38. Sennacherib, king, r. 704–681, 2 Kings 18:13, etc.

Rewriting Jerusalem History: Jerusalem Under Siege

William H. Shea, Biblical Archaeology Review, Nov/Dec 1999

Destruction of Judean Fortress Portrayed in Dramatic Eighth-Century B.C. Pictures

Hershel Shanks, Biblical Archaeology Review, Mar/Apr 1984

Will King Hezekiah Be Dislodged from His Tunnel?

Hershel Shanks, Biblical Archaeology Review, Sep/Oct 2013

In the Path of Sennacherib

Oded Borowski, Biblical Archaeology Review, May/Jun 2005

39. Adrammelech (= Ardamullissu = Arad-mullissu), son and assassin of Sennacherib, fl. early 7th century, 2 Kings 19:37, etc.

The Biblical Account of Sennacherib’s Attack

Oded Borowski, Biblical Archaeology Review, Jan/Feb 2001 [Biblical reference only]

40. Esarhaddon, king, r. 680–669, 2 Kings 19:37, etc.

Babylonia

41. Merodach-baladan II (=Marduk-apla-idinna II), king, r. 721–710 and 703, 2 Kings 20:12, etc.

Nebuchadnezzar and Solomon

Bill T. Arnold, Biblical Archaeology Review, Jan/Feb 2007 [Minor Reference only]

42. Nebuchadnezzar II, king, r. 604–562, 2 Kings 24:1, etc.

43. Nebo-sarsekim, chief official of Nebuchadnezzar II, fl. early 6th century, Jeremiah 39:3.

Strata: Cuneiform Tablet Confirms Biblical Name

Biblical Archaeology Review, Nov/Dec 2007

44. Nergal-sharezer (= Nergal-sharuṣur the Sin-magir = Nergal-šarru-uṣur the simmagir), officer of Nebuchadnezzar II, early sixth century, Jeremiah 39:3

Queries & Comments: Three Babylonian Officials Missing?

Biblical Archaeology Review, Jul/Aug 2014

45. Nebuzaradan (= Nabuzeriddinam = Nabû-zēr-iddin), a chief officer of Nebuchadnezzar II, early sixth century, 2 Kings 25:8, etc. & Jeremiah 39:9, etc.

46. Evil-merodach (=Awel Marduk, = Amel Marduk), king, r. 561–560, 2 Kings 25:27, etc.

Thus Far the Words of Jeremiah

Steve Delamarter, Bible Review, Oct 1999

47. Belshazzar, son and co-regent of Nabonidus, fl. ca. 543?–540, Daniel 5:1, etc.

Daniel and Belshazzar in History

Alan R. Millard, Biblical Archaeology Review, May/Jun 1985.

Who was Nabonidus?

Sidebar to: Matt Waters, “Making (Up) History,” Archaeology Odyssey, Nov/Dec 2005

Persia

48. Cyrus II (=Cyrus the great), king, r. 559–530, 2 Chronicles 36:22, etc.

49. Darius I (=Darius the Great), king, r. 520–486, Ezra 4:5, etc.

50. Tattenai (=Tatnai), provincial governor of Trans-Euphrates, late sixth to early fifth century, Ezra 5:3, etc.

Archaeology Confirms 3 More Bible People

Lawrence Mykytiuk, Biblical Archaeology Review, May/Jun 2017

51. Xerxes I (=Ahasuerus), king, r. 486–465, Esther 1:1, etc.

Making (Up) History

Matt Waters, Archaeology Odyssey, Nov/Dec 2005

Why Darius Built Persepolis

Ali Mousavi, Archaeology Odyssey, Nov/Dec 2005

52. Artaxerxes I Longimanus, king, r. 465-425/424, Ezra 4:6, 7

53. Darius II Nothus, king, r. 425/424-405/404, Nehemiah 12:22

Who Returned First: Ezra or Nehemiah?

Aaron Demsky, Bible Review, Apr 1996 [No direct reference, though this provides context for the period]