Esarhaddon (Akkadian: Aššur-ahhe-iddina, meaning “Ashur has given a brother”) was the King of the Neo-Assyrian Empire from approximately 681 to 669 BC. He was the son and successor of Sennacherib and is widely regarded by historians as one of the most powerful and strategic monarchs in Assyrian history.
The Rise to Power (A Bloody Succession)
Esarhaddon’s ascension to the throne is a direct fulfillment of biblical history and prophecy. His father, Sennacherib—the king who famously besieged Jerusalem during the reign of Hezekiah—was murdered by two of his own sons.
“And it came to pass, as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer his sons smote him with the sword: and they escaped into the land of Armenia. And Esarhaddon his son reigned in his stead.” (2 Kings 19:37, KJV)
Esarhaddon was a younger son, and his selection as heir triggered a civil war. He successfully defeated his brothers’ forces and secured the throne in Nineveh, showing both military grit and a claim to divine favor.
Interactions with Judah: The Capture of Manasseh
Esarhaddon’s reign coincided with that of Manasseh, the son of Hezekiah. While Manasseh is remembered as one of Judah’s most wicked kings, his life took a dramatic turn under Assyrian pressure.
Scripture records that the captains of the King of Assyria took Manasseh “among the thorns” (or with hooks), bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon (2 Chronicles 33:11). This detail was once doubted by critics because Nineveh was the capital, but archaeology has confirmed that Esarhaddon was unique among Assyrian kings for rebuilding Babylon and often holding court there.
The Colonization of Samaria
Esarhaddon played a critical role in the ethnic shifting of the Northern Kingdom (Israel). Following the earlier deportation of the ten tribes, Esarhaddon continued the policy of importing foreign peoples into the cities of Samaria. These people eventually intermarried with the remaining Israelites, forming the group known in the New Testament as the Samaritans.
“Then they came to Zerubbabel… and said unto them, Let us build with you… since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assur, which brought us up hither.” (Ezra 4:2, KJV)
Legacy and Archaeology
- Conqueror of Egypt: Esarhaddon was the first Assyrian king to successfully conquer Egypt, capturing Memphis and declaring himself “King of the Kings of Egypt.”
- The Victory Stele: A famous stone monument (the Victory Stele of Esarhaddon) depicts the king holding two captives by ropes attached to hooks in their lips. One is an Egyptian prince, and the other is believed by many to be a representation of a vassal king like Manasseh, vividly illustrating the “hooks and fetters” described in 2 Chronicles.
- Builder: He was a prolific builder, restoring the city of Babylon and constructing a magnificent palace at Nimrud.