Search
Close this search box.

Lachish in the Hebrew Bible

Touring Israel

Tel Lachish is the site of an ancient Near Eastern city, now an important archaeological site in the Judaean Hills. We hear first about Lachish in the Amarna letters as Lakisha. In addition according to the Hebrew Bible, the Israelites captured and destroyed Lachish for joining the league against the Gibeonites (Joshua 10:31–33). The territory was later assigned to the tribe of Judah (15:39) and became part of the Kingdom of Israel.



Of the cities in the ancient Kingdom of Judah, Lachish was second in importance only to Jerusalem. One of the Lachish letters warns of the impending Babylonian destruction. It reads: “Let my lord know that we are watching over the beacon of Lachish, according to the signals which my lord gave, for Azekah is not seen.” According to the prophet Jeremiah, Lachish and Azekah were the last two Judean cities to fall before the conquest of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 34:7). This pottery inscription can be seen at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem.

Lachish in the Hebrew Bible: Siege by Sennacherib

In 701 BCE, during the revolt of king Hezekiah against Assyria; it was besieged and captured by Sennacherib despite the defenders’ determined resistance. Some scholars believe that the fall of Lachish actually occurred during a second campaign in the area by Sennacherib ca. 688 BCE. So the site now contains the only remains of an Assyrian siege ramp discovered so far.

Sennacherib later devoted a whole room in his “Palace without a rival”, the South-west palace in Nineveh, for artistic representations of the siege on large alabaster slabs, most of which are now on display in the British Museum. In addition, they hold depictions of Assyrian siege ramps; battering rams; sappers; and other siege machines and army units; along with Lachish’s architecture and its final surrender. In combination with the archaeological finds, they give a good understanding of the siege warfare of the period.

How to get to Tel Lachish?

arik-about

Hi! My name is Arik, an Israeli native who dedicated his life to sharing my passion for the Holy Land with those interested in knowing more about this incredible piece of land. I’m the Chief Guide at ‘APT Private Tours in Israel’.

Did you know the Hoopoe is Israel's national bird?! For more cool info about Israel, join our ever growing community and get exclusive travel tips, and giveaways!

Jerusalem and the Bible

RELATED POSTS

Peter’s Denials of Jesus

All four Canonical Gospels devote a large portion to the Passion of Jesus, and all four give what appears to be a disproportionate amount of space ...

Passover

Passover is a time for reflection, storytelling, and rituals that connect Jewish people to their history and heritage.

Healing the Paralytic at Bethesda

The Healing of the Paralytic at Bethesda is a miracle attributed to Jesus Christ, as recorded in the Gospel of John, chapter 5, verses 1-15.

Jesus of Nazareth

Jesus Christ, also referred to as Jesus of Nazareth, is the central figure of Christianity, the world's largest religion. For more click here

Tel Dan in the Bible

Tel Dan in the Bible was an important city in the Bronze and Iron Age. these days it is an impressive archaeological tel located up ...

The Book of Genesis

The Book of Genesis is the book of beginnings. The Book of the origins of things the beginning of human culture and the people of ...

The Jewish Calendar

The Jewish calendar has a vibrant tapestry of holidays and festivals celebrating history, spirituality, and community. These sacred occasions, each with unique customs and significance, ...

Cleopas

Cleopas is a significant but somewhat enigmatic figure in the New Testament, known primarily for his appearance in the Gospel of Luke. His story, particularly ...

Ashura

Ashura is a significant observance in Islam with deep historical and religious roots. In this post, we'll explore the its meaning.

Ethiopian Bible

The Ethiopian Bible holds a special place in the religious and cultural heritage of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church.

Need help?

Skip to content