GLOSSARY OF NAMES USED IN ISAIAH SCRIPTURE STUDY
Listed Alphabetically
A
Abdimilkutte, King
King of Sidon; beheaded in 677 when Assyrians captured and razed Sidon (REFERENCE: Lesson 8 under
Isa.23:15-16)
Abram
Original name of the patriarch Abraham before it was changed by God. It was promised to Abraham that he in his
seed all the nations of the world would be blessed. Isaiah refers to this promise re: the nation of Israel.—(
REFERENCE: Isa.19:24-25; 27:6; 29:9-10; 61:6)
Ahaz, King (735-715 BC)
Son of King Jotham of Judah; became king at age 20 in 735 and reigned until 715 (REFERENCE: Isa.1:1; 7:1;
Lesson 6 Intro; Lesson 7 Intro). In 734, King Rezin of Syria and King Pekah of Israel, hoping to force Judah into
their anti-Assyrian coalition, attacked Jerusalem, seeking to replace Ahaz with a Syrian of Aramean descent named
Tabeel. Isaiah gave his first oracle to the young king in the same year (REFERENCE: Isa.7:1-2 & 17:1-2). Ahaz did
not pay much attention to Isaiah’s oracles; instead, he pursued what he thought was a pragmatic approach
necessary to appease Assyria: 1) he sent bribes to Tiglath-Pileser III; 2) he emulated Assyrian worship by building
a pagan altar in the Jerusalem temple; 3) he sacrificed one of his sons to a pagan diety to win favor (see Lesson 4
under “Historical Background for Isaiah 8:5-18). Isaiah stressed faith in God as Israel’s ultimate salvation; Ahaz’s
practical rejection of this and refusal to ask of God a sign demonstrated his hypocrisy (REFERENCE: Isa.10:20-21)
Alexander the Great
Democratized the occult practice of individual horoscopes in the late 4 th century (REFERENCE: Isa.13:10)
Amaziah, King (798-769 BC)
King of Judah (798-769 BC). Upon his death in 769 BC, he was succeeded by his 16 year old son Uzziah (769-743
BC)—(See Lesson 1 Intro)
Amos
Prophet who began his ministry around 760 BC (see Lesson 1 Intro). He prophesied against various nations (see
Lesson 6 Intro).
Amoz
The father of Isaiah; his name means “strength” (REFERENCE: Isa.1:1, 2)
Anath
Canaanite goddess; sister/wife of Baal (REFERENCE: Isa.27:1)
Apso (Apsu)
Babylonian father god named in the Babylonian creation myth, the Enuma Elish (see Lesson 12 section “A Series of
Trial Speeches” and under Isa.40:26; 44:9-10; 45:18; 47:13; 48:12-13). With goddess Tiamat, produced other
dieties (gods of sun, wind, storm, etc.) that gave order to the world. Ultimately, Apso and Tiamat were killed by their
other grandchildren gods (REFERENCE: Isa.40: 26,28 & Isa.44:9-10).
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Artaxerxes I
Persian king from 465-423 BC; issued the order to Nehemiah that Jerusalem’s walls, destroyed by the Babylonians
in 587 BC, could be rebuilt (REFERENCE: Isa.60:10)
Asherim
Asherah was a Canaanite mother-goddess sometimes referred to in the OT (1 Kings 18:19; 2 Kings 23:4; 2
Chron.15:16). Images were made of that goddess to represent her. The Israelites were commanded to cut down
(e.g.-Ex.34:13) or burn (Deut.12:3) the asherim of the Cannanites and were likewise forbidden themselves to plan
“an Asherah of any kind of tree” beside God’s altar (Deut.16:21)—(REFERENCE: Isa.27:9)
Ashurbanipal, King (669-627 BC)
Assyrian king who succeeded his father, King Esarhaddon (681-669 BC); completed conquest of Egypt and gave
Assyria its greatest territorial extension (REFERENCE: Isa.19:3 / Lesson 7 “Leading Up to the Egyptian Civil War”
section)
Ashur-nadin-shumi, King (699-694 BC)
King of Babylon; son of Assyrian King Sennacherib (705-681 BC). He was appointed king of Babylon in 699 BC to
replace the rebellious previous King Bel-Ibni. In a subsequent Babylonian rebellion in 694 BC, Ashur-nadin-shumi
was killed.—(REFERENCE: Lesson 11 “The Babylonian Embassy” introductory material to Isa. Chapter 39)
Astyages, King
King of Media; his daughter, Princess Mandane, married King Cambyses of Persia and became the mother of
Persian King Cyrus. At the time, the Persians were subject to the Medes. In 550 BC, however, Cyrus attacked his
grandfather Astyages. Astyages' own troops revolted against him and handed him over to Cyrus in fetters. Cyrus
then conquered Ecbatana, the Mede capital, with help from the Mede general, Harpagus, whom Astyages had
wronged.—(REFERENCE: Lesson 14 section entitled “Oracle Concerning Cyrus the Persian”)
Asshur
The Assyrian god of war; a national god—(REFERENCE: Lesson 6 Intro)
Athaliah
Daughter of King Ahab (874-853 BC) of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, she married King Jehoram (848-841 BC) of
the Southern Kingdom of Judah to form a N-S alliance. Her son Ahaziah died after one year as King and she
began to reveal herself as “that wicked woman” (2 Chron. 24:7). To retain the power she had enjoyed as queenmother, she “destroyed all the royal family” (2 Kings 11:1), executing her husband’s son (and multiple wives). She
ruled until the restoration of the surviving boy prince to the throne and her own murder (2 Kings 11). “The ancients
did not accept women as rulers because kings and other leaders were generally expected to lead in war…Certainly
Israel’s experience of women in leadership was not positive.”—(REFERENCE: Isa.3:12)
B
Baal
A Canaanite god of fertility; son of the older creator god, Il Elyon; brother/husband of goddess Anath ; fought his
brother Mot in order to take the throne of his father—(REFERENCE: Isa. 14:12;17:11; 27:1; 46:1 / Lesson 6 Intro)
Ba’lu, King
King of Tyre; around 677 BC, he was set on the throne by Assyrian King Esarhaddon (681-669 BC), who, bent on
keeping the route open to attack Egypt, had conquered Tyre and executed the previous king, Abdi-milkitti. King
Ba’lu had rebelled against, but then submitted to King Esarhaddon; he paid heavy tribute plus back tribute, gave
Esarhaddon his daughters, with dowries, and lost a number of surrounding towns to Assyrian ownership.—
(REFERENCE: Isa.23:15-16)
2
Bel-Ibni, King
King of Babylon; In 700 BC he rebelled against Assyrian King Sennacherib but died, so in 699, Sennacherib
appointed his son, Ashur-nadin-shumi as the king of Babylon.—(REFERENCE: Lesson 11 “The Babylonian
Embassy” introductory material to Isa. Chapter 39)
Bel
Name or title of the principal Babylonian diety, Marduk. When Marduk became the chief god of Babylon in the 2 nd
millennium, he was given the additional name of Bel. It was the idol of this god whom Daniel and his companions
were commanded to worship (Bel and the Dragon)—(REFERENCE: Isa.46:1,2,3,4
Bakenrenef, Pharaoh
The second–and last–king of Egypt’s 24th Dynasty; may be referred to in Isa.14:29 as a “broken” rod. In 715 BC
(the same year that Hezekiah became King of Judah) he died. An Ethiopian named Shabaka, wiped out any
contenders from the 24th Dynasty and went to Memphis to establish the Twenty-fifth Dynasty – (REFERENCE:
Isa.14:29 / Lesson 7 Intro; Lesson 9 Introductory material to Isa. Chapter 30)
C
Cambyses, King
King of Persia, father of future King Cyrus; he married Princess Mandane, whose father was King Astyages of
Media.—(REFERENCE: Lesson 14 section “Oracle Concerning Cyrus the Persian”; Lesson 19 “Historical
Background” section)
Cambyses II, King
King of Persia, after King Cyrus; During a revolt in Persia, he “feared defeat and committed suicide in 522 BC”—
(REFERENCE: Lesson 19 “Historical Background” section)
Chemosh
A chief god of Moab. The sacrifice of children as a burnt-offering was part of his worship (2 Kings 3:27). Solomon
erected a high place for Chemosh in Jerusalem (1 Kings 11:7) but Josiah destroyed this (2 Kings 23:13)—
(REFERENCE: Lesson 6 Intro)
Chronos
Greek god; commonly thought of as “Father Time”; Son of Zeus–(REFERENCE: Isa.46;1)
Croesus, King
King of Lydia (in western Asia Minor); in 549 BC he declared war against Persian King Cyrus, with Egypt, Babylon,
and Sparta joining him as allies. In 546 BC, Cyrus defeated King Croesus at Pteria and appointed a Lydian named
Pactyes as the governor of Sardis, the capital city of Lydia. Croesus was captured and taken to Ecbatana, the
capital city of the Medes. He was treated as an honored prisoner and at times acted as a counselor.—
(REFERENCE: Isa.45:1; 49:1 / Lesson 14 “Oracle Concerning Cyrus the Persian” section)
Cyrus, King (559-530 BC)
Persian King who took power in 559 BC; son of King Cambyses of Persia and Princess Mandane, daughter of
King Astyages of Media. Cyrus’ coming was foretold by Isaiah. He was called the Lord’s “anointed” with power to
“ungird the loins of kings” (Isa.45:1) and referred to as a “bird of prey from the east” (Isa.46:11). The Jews were in
exile in Babylon as Cyrus was sweeping through the nations in conquest. In 550 BC he attacked his grandfather
Astyages, taking the Mede’s capital of Ecbatana. In 546 BC, he defeated King Croesus of Lydia at Peteria. By the
late 540’s he had nearly completed his conquest of the Babylonian Empire. In October of 539 BC he took the capital
city of Babylon and in the spring of 538 BC, issued a decree that allowed the captive Jews to return to their
homeland and begin construction on a new Temple. In the final analysis, Cyrus was God’s chosen instrument to
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free his people from bondage. The fact that he was a Gentile was a shock and amazement to many, but God
defended his choice through the mouth of Isaiah, commending him for his moral quality of being correct, honest,
and good (REFERENCE: Isa.45:13)—(See references under Isa. 8:16; 41:2-5, 14, 25-26; 44:28; 45:1,2-3,4,13,14;
46:11; 49:1 / Lesson 14 “Idol Makers” & “Oracle Concerning Cyrus the Persian” sections; Lesson 17 “History of
Departure from Babylon” section)
D
Darius I, King (522-486 BC)
King of Persia; he was King Cambyses II’s spear-bearer. After Cambyses committed suicide in 522 BC Darius left
the territory of Israel to Persia to successfully take control of the empire by 520, the year Zerubbabel started
working to finish the Temple.—(REFERENCE: Lesson 19 “Historical Background” section)
David, King
The second and greatest King of a united Israel whose kingdom is referred to extensively in Isaiah’s writings as a
template for present hope and future glory. The renewal of the Davidic Kingship becomes a great theme of
salvation throughout Isaiah. As Jerusalem faces the Assyrian threat, Isaiah promises that God will defend
Jerusalem “for the sake of David” (Isa.37:33-35); Israel should trust the Lord in the same way that David did as he
faced the Philistines (Isa.28:21); Israel’s hope in exile is the promise of a glorious Kingdom that will be brought
about by a “servant”—a promised messiah from the line of David, a “Prince of Peace” (Isa.9:6)—who will unite
Israel again and rule in righteousness over their enemies.—(REFERENCE: Isa.5:1; 9:7; 11:1,2,3-4,14; 16:3-5,6;
22:21-22; 28:21; 33:6; 37:33-35; 43:27; 44:28; 54:3,4,5 / Lesson 13 Introduction; Lesson 5 Introduction to Isaiah
chapter 11)
E
Eliakim
A member of Jerusalem's royal court, who, along with Shebna, was one of the three Judahite officials who met with
the Assyrian Rabshakeh (Akkadian for "chief cupbearer," an important royal official) for negotiations during the
revolt of 703-701 BC (Is. 36:2-3; 2 Kings 18:17-18). Eliakim succeeded Shebna as King Hezekiah’s prime minister,
taking authentic care of the people without rashly advising King Hezekiah to join alliances foolishly as Shebna had.
In addition to having the king's authority and to serving the people well, Eliakim will bring honor to his father's
house, in contrast to the shame that Shebna brought down on himself. As prime minister, Eliakim receives the key
of the house of David, a reference that appears in Jesus’ designation of St. Peter as the head of His Church.—
(REFERENCE: Isa.22:20, 21-22)
Ethbaal, King
King of Ashkelon; he was set up as King by conquering Assyrian King Sennacherib after the former King, Luli, had
fled. [For greater context, see entries “Hezekiah, King” ; “Shebitku, Pharaoh”; “Luli, King”]—(REFERENCE:
Isa.36:1-2 / Lesson 8 “Oracle against Tyre & Sidon” section preceding Isa. Chapter 23)
Esarhaddon, King (681-669 BC)
Younger brother of King Sennacherib (705-681 BC) of Assyria; became King after Sennacherib’s 2 eldest sons
assassinated him in 681 BC. He began the conquest of Egypt, taking the capital city of Memphis in 671, along with
many royal prisoners. His son, King Ashurbanipal (669-627 BC), completed the conquest of Egypt (REFERENCE:
Isa.7:19; 19:4; 23:15-16; 37:37-38 & Lesson 7 section “Leading Up to the Egyptian Civil War).
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Ezekiel
A major prophet during the time of the Exile who prophesied, roughly, between 592-570 BC. He “belonged to
priestly circles of influence” and brought a message of condemnation for Israel’s sins as well as a promise of
renewal. His famous vision of the dry bones (Ez.37:1-14) spoke hope to a “dead” and chastened Israel languishing
in exile; it also introduced a new understanding that would develop re: the resurrection from the dead. Ezekiel also
drew on the marital relationship (Ez. 16 & 20) to emphasize the faithful love of God and the covenantal nature of
Israel’s relationship to him.—(REFERENCE: Isa.25:1; 26:19; 32:1; 42:14; 45:22; 48:11,16; 51:11; 53:12; 54:5-6)
G
Gideon
Gideon was the 5th “judge” in Israel in the period after the Children of Israel entered and settled in the “Promised
Land” under Joshua. He ruled the people for 40 years as “judge”, leading God’s people to victory over the
Midianites. His radical example of faith in the face of overwhelming odds (see Judges 6-8) finds reference in Isaiah
as a model of victory for the Jewish people facing the overwhelming strength of the Assyrians and Babylonians.—
(REFERENCE: Isa.9:4; 10:26 / Lesson 13 Introduction)
Gobryas
Governor of Gutium; led Cyrus’ troops into Babylon on October 13, 539 without having to fight the inhabitants.—(
REFERENCE: Lesson 17 “History of the Departure to Babylon” section)
H
Haddad
A chief Syrian god, the storm-god; name means “The Thunderer”—(REFERENCE: Lesson 6 Intro)
Haggai
Prophet at the time of the return of the Jewish exiles from Babylon; at his insistence, the new Temple was
completed 520-516 BC.—(REFERENCE: Isa.66:1-2 / Lesson 19 “Historical Background” section)
Harpagus
Mede general serving under King Astyages of Media, who was the grandfather of King Cyrus of Persia. Harpagus
had been wronged by Astyages. So, when Cyrus attacked King Astyages in 550 BC, Harpagus was instrumental in
turning Astyages over to him in fetters. He helped Cyrus in his conquest of Asia Minor.—( REFERENCE: Lesson 14
section entitled “Oracle Concerning Cyrus the Persian”)
Herod the Great
The Temple built by the Jews after the exile (520-516 BC) was a disappointment to some in contrast the glorious
Temple that had been destroyed in 586 BC. It was not until 19 BC that Herod the Great would build a magnificent
Temple that would replace this less-impressive, post-exilic building.—(REFERENCE: Isa.60:13)
Herodotus
A 5th Century Greek historian who coined the phrase “Egypt is the gift of the Nile”—(REFERENCE: Isa.19:5-10)
Hezekiah, King (715-687 BC)
Son of King Ahaz (735-715 BC) of Judah. Hezekiah became king at a time when the Assyrians under Sargon II
were threatening the entire region. Most recently (during the reign of King Ahaz), they had conquered the northern
kingdom of Israel, destroying its capital, Samaria, in 722 BC. Hezekiah built the city walls of Jerusalem to enclose
and shelter the refugees fleeing from Sargon’s devastation. Seeking to present a united front against Assyria, he
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allied himself with Moab, Philistia (King Iamani of Ashdod) and Egypt (Pharaoh Shabaka) in 713 BC. In 705 BC,
Sargon II died, but his son Sennacherib continued to press the attack on Judah and surrounding countries.
Hezekiah allied himself anew with the then-ruler of Egypt, Pharaoh Shebitku. Isaiah was critical of Hezekiah for this
alliance, which–as predicted– soon proved to be futile. Sennacherib invaded Jerusalem in 701 BC. Though the city
was not destroyed and Hezekiah remained king, he paid tribute (taken from the Temple decorations) to the
overpowering Assyrians. Isaiah 13-23 was written during the first years of Hezekiah’s reign. Later in his reign, he is
recorded to have been afflicted with a deadly illness that is ultimately healed (see Isa.38)—(REFERENCE: Isa. 1:1;
7:17; 10:16; 14:32; 17:4-6; 18:1-3; 21:1-2, 10; 22:8-9, 15-16; 29:14; 32:1; 38:1-20 / Lesson 6 (Intro); Lesson 7
(Intro); Lesson 9 (Intro to Isa. Chapter 30); Lesson 11 (Intro)
Hosea
Prophet; began ministry around 750 BC — (REFERENCE: Lesson 1 Intro)
Hoshea, King (732-721 BC)
Last king of the northern kingdom of Israel before the Assyrians destroyed the capital city of Samaria in 722 BC. He
had assumed power in 732 BC by assassinating the former King Pekah. This he did in order to appease Assyrian
King Tiglath-pileser III, to whom he paid tribute.—(REFERENCE: Isa. 17:3 & Lesson 4 Introductory material to
Isaiah chapter 9)
Humbanigash, King
The King of Elam (located in the south of modern Iran); helped the Chaldean King Merodach-Baladan II take
Babylon away from the Assyrians in a war in 721-720 BC.—(REFERENCE: Isa.21:1-2)
I
Iamani, King
King of Ashdod (Philistia). In 713 BC he started a revolt against Assyrian King Sargon II. [For broader context, see
entry on “Hezekiah”—(REFERENCE: Isa.14:28,31 & Lesson 7 Intro)
Il Elyon
A Canaanite god; the father of Baal and Mot (REFERENCE: Isa.14:13)
J
Jehoiachin, King (597)
King of Judah for a very short time; taken captive to Babylon and released from prison there in 561 BC to return to
Jerusalem. His grandson Zerubbabel returned to Jerusalem from captivity in 522 BC, and began work on
rebuilding the Jewish Temple—(REFERENCE: Lesson 11 Introduction & Lesson 19 “Historical Background
section”)
Jereboam ben Nebat, King (c.931-910 BC)
The first King of Israel; he rebelled against King Solomon’s foolish son, Rehoboam, and started the division
between the Northern Kingdom of Israel vs. the Southern Kingdom of Judah. Essentially, the Northern Kingdom
rejected the lineage of David, from which Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah would come to once again unite
Israel.—(REFERENCE: Isa. 7:17; 9:7)
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Jeremiah
A prophet whose ministry spanned the reigns of the last five kings of Judah, beginning in the 13 th year of the reign
of Josiah in 626 BC and ending with the destruction of Jerusalem in 587 BC. His message of impending judgment
against many countries was very unpopular and caused him much persecution.—(REFERENCE: Isa.48:15; 50:4,56 / Lesson 6 Intro; Lesson 15 Intro)
Jerome, Saint
In Isa.44:12, the fallen king is called "Day Star," a translation of a Hebrew word whose root means "to shine," and
"son of Dawn," which St. Jerome translated into his Vulgate as Lucifer, "light bearer." —(REFERENCE: Isa.44:12)
Jeshurun
Jeshurun is a name for Israel found elsewhere only in poetic texts in Deut. 32:15; 33:5, 26). The root may be jashar,
meaning to be “upright."—(REFERENCE: Isa.44:1-2)
Jesse
The father of King David in the OT, therefore, the “root” or “stump” from which the Davidic kingdom will spring.
Especially in Isaiah 11:1-11 is this image used as a messianic note of hope that the destruction of the nation still
conceals within it the hope of future life and hope.—(REFERENCE: Isa.6:11; 11:1-11)
Jezebel
Daughter of Ethbaal, King of Tyre and Sidon, she was married to King Ahab (874-853 BC) of the Northern Kingdom
of Israel. She was a strong, domineering character, self-willed and forceful. She killed the Lord’s prophets and
promoted Baal worship (1 Kings 18:4,13;19:1-3; 21:5-25). “The ancients did not accept women as rulers because
kings and other leaders were generally expected to lead in war…Certainly Israel’s experience of women in
leadership was not positive.”—(REFERENCE: Isa.3:12)
K
Kingu
A monster created by the Babylonian sea water mother goddess Tiamat. Kingu and Tiamat were both defeated by
the god Marduk who was one of Tiamat’s grandchildren—(REFERENCE: Isa.51:9-10)
Jotham, King (743-735 BC)
Son of King Uzziah (769-743 BC) of Judah; was co-regent with father from 750-743 BC (due to his leprosy) and
sole ruler from 743-735 BC—(REFERENCE: Isa.1:1,2; 7:1 / Lesson 1 Intro)
L
Leviathan
Transliteration of a Hebrew word which occurs in only five OT passages; indicates some form of aquatic monster,
“the crooked serpent”; sometimes referred to as Shalyat (meaning “accursed”) or Lotan (the Ugaritic form of
Leviathan). The Lord's battle against Leviathan is in Psalm 74:14 and St. Michael and his angels defeat the dragon
and his angels in Revelation 12:9—(REFERENCE: Isa.27:1)
Luli, King
King of Tyre and Sidon (Phoenicia or Lebanon) during the reign of King Hezekiah (715-687 BC) of Judah. In 705
BC King Lulu was part of an anti-Assyrian coalition that included Judah (Hezekiah), Egypt (Pharaoh Shebitku) and
King Sidka of Ashkelon. In 701 BC, his was the first country to fall to Assyrian King Sennacherib. Luli fled to Cyprus
and a new king, Ethbaal, was set in his place by conquering King Sennacherib [For greater context, see entries
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“Hezekiah” and “Shebitku”]—(REFERENCE: Isa.29:14; 33:9; 36:1-2 / Lesson 8 Introduction & “Woe against Tyre &
Sidon” section)
M
Mahershalalhashbaz
Son of Isaiah; God instructed Isaiah to give him this name, meaning “one who hastens to spoil, is speedy to prey.”
Along with his other brother Shearjashub, Isaiah’s children were used as prophetic signs from the Lord. This name
describes how Assyria will attack Syria, Damascus and Israel quickly in order to take much spoils of war.—
(REFERENCE: 8:1, 2-4, 18)
Manasseh, King (687-642 BC)
Son of King Hezekiah (715-687 BC) of Judah. In 697 BC at age 12, he reigned as a co-regent with his father for 10
years, then 45 years as sole ruler of Judah. His was an “extremely wicked reign” and he was the “worst [king] in
Judah’s history.” The fact that Isaiah does not mention his name in the list of Kings under whom he prophesied
leads to the conclusion that Isaiah’s prophetic ministry was finished by that time—(REFERENCE: Isa.1:1; 11:1)
Mandane, Princess
The daughter of King Astyages of Media; she married King Cambyses of Persia and became the mother of King
Cyrus. [See greater detail under “Astyages, King” entry)— (REFERENCE: Lesson 14 section entitled “Oracle
Concerning Cyrus the Persian”)
Marduk
King of the Babylonian gods, the center of life. According to the “creation” myth Enuma Elish, Marduk defeated his
grandmother Tiamat and from her corpse formed the earth and the sky. Powerful though he was, he had no
authority in other countries unless his worshippers conquered them. Thus, Babylonian aggression promoted the
worship of Marduk. [Also see entry for “Bel”]—(REFERENCE: Isa.40:18, 21-24; 45:18; 51:9-10 / Lesson 6 (Intro);
Lesson 12–“A Series of Trial Speeches” section)
Marduk-apal-ippine II, King (721-711 BC)
See entry for Merodach-Baladan II.
Marduk-zakir-shum II, King
Chaldean King of the Babylon; in 703, he took Babylon from King Sennacherib of Assyria and reigned as its king for
a month, followed by Merodach-Baladan II. [For greater detail, see entry on “Merodach-Baladan II”]—
(REFERENCE: Lesson 11 “The Babylonian Embassy” section introducing Isaiah chapter 39)
Merodach-Baladan II, King (721-711 BC)
King of Babylon (721-711 BC); also known as Marduk-apal-ippine II. In 721 Merodach-Baladan II, a Chaldean,
became the king of Babylon and revolted successfully against Assyria. However, in 711 the Assyrian king Sargon
conquered Babylon from the Chaldeans and returned it to the native Babylonians. Then in 703, a Chaldean named
Marduk-zakir-shum II, took Babylon from King Sennacherib of Assyria and reigned as its king for a month, followed
by Merodach-Baladan II, who ruled for nine months. King Sennacherib of Assyria defeated him on the plains of Kish
and forced him to flee into the swamps to save his life.—(REFERENCE: Isa.21:1-2; 39:1-2 / Lesson 11 Introductory
material to Isaiah chapter 39)
Mesha, King
The King of Moab. The towns of Dibon 20 miles north of Kir and Nebo had been conquered from Israel by King
Mesha of Moab around 840-830 BC. Also, around 840 BC, he produced an inscribed stone known as the Mesha
Stele which has great importance for understanding the complex relationship between Israel and Moab. The stone
is the most extensive inscription ever recovered that refers to the kingdom of Israel and bears the earliest certain
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extra-biblical references to the Israelite God Yahweh and the “House of David.”—(REFERENCE: Isa.15:2-4 &
material immediately preceding Isa.16:13)
Molech
A Canaanite god to whom children were offered as human sacrifice. The law of Moses demanded the death of
anyone who offered his child to Molech or as a sacrifice (Lev.18:20; 20:2-5)—(REFERENCE: Isa.57:9-10)
Mot
A Canaanite god whose name means “Death”; his brother Baal fought him in order to take the throne of his father Il
Elyon (REFERENCE: Isa. 14:13)
Mushezib-Marduk, King
A Chaldean who, succeeded King Nergal-ushezib in 692 BC. He badly beat Assyrian King Sennacherib in battle
in 691 BC. But, in 689, Sennacherib put down the revolt and sacked the city of Babylon. From this point on
Sennacherib ruled Babylon, as did his son, Esarhaddon—(REFERENCE: Lesson 11 “The Babylonian Embassy”
section introducing Isaiah Chapter 39)
N
Nabonidus, King (556-539 BC)
King of Babylon at the time of Assyrian King Cyrus. In 550 BC, Cyrus was attacking the Kingdom of the Medes,
headed by his grandfather, King Astyages. Fearing the Medes, Nabonidus supported Cyrus in the conflict.
Eventually, however, Assyrian aggression shifted toward Babylon. In a desperate attempt to secure divine
protection for his kingdom, Nabonidus brought idols in from surrounding towns to protect it. Ultimately, it was a futile
exercise. Cyrus captured Babylon in October, 539 BC. Nabonidus was in a neighboring city at the time the city was
taken and tried to hide. But, he was captured within 1 week after trying to return to Babylon in disguise.—
(REFERENCE: Isa.44:11; 45:1; 52:4-6 / Lesson 14 “Idol Makers” & “Oracle Concerning Cyrus the Persian”
sections; Lesson 17 “History of Departure from Babylon” section)
Nabopolassar
A Chaldean general who led a rebellion against the Assyrians in 626 BC. This led to the establishment of the NeoBabylonian Empire that–with the help of the Medes–eventually defeated the Assyrians and left their capital,
Ninevah, in total ruins in 609 BC—(REFERENCE: Isa.13:19-22)
Nabu-ukin-zer, KIng
King of Babylon. In 729 the Assyrian king Tiglath-Pileser invaded and captured Babylon, killed King Nabu-ukin-zer,
and called himself the "king of Babylon," out of Assyrian respect for Babylon as the source of Assyrian culture.
[Read greater context under entry “Tiglath-Pileser III, King”]—(REFERENCE: Lesson 11 “The Babylonian
Embassy” section introducing Isaiah chapter 39)
Nebuchadnezzar, KIng (605-562 BC)
King of Babylon at the time of Jerusalem’s fall in 586 BC. At that time, Nebuchadnezzar entered the city, removed
all the valuable vessels from the Temple and forced the Jews into miserable exile. In contrast to their forsaken
state, Nebuchadnezzar's palace included the "Hanging Gardens," one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. In
538 BC, after Persian King Cyrus had defeated Babylon, he issued an order for the Temple at Jerusalem to be
rebuilt. It was to be paid for by the royal treasury and the sacred vessels that Nebuchadnezzar had removed from
the Temple were to be returned (Ezra 1:8; 6:3-5, 13-16).—(REFERENCE: Isa.52:11-12; 54:11-12 / Lesson 17
“History of the Departure from Babylon” section)
Nebo
Chief god of the Chaldeans and son of the Babylonian god, Marduk — (REFERENCE: Isa.46:1,2,3,4)
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Necho I, King
Appointed King of Lower Egypt in 668 BC by Assyrian King Ashurbanipal. In 664 BC, he was killed by Tantamani,
the cousin of Pharaoh Taharqa, who returned to re-conquer Egypt after Taharqa’s death.—( REFERENCE: Lesson
7 “Leading up to the Egyptian Civil War”)
Nehemiah
With orders from Persian King Artexerxes I (465-423 BC) to rebuild Jerusalem's wall, Nehemiah arrived in
Jerusalem 444 BC to begin work—(REFERENCE: Isa.58:12; 60:10)
Nergal-ushezib, King
A Chaldean who, in 693 BC became king of Babylon for a year.—(REFERENCE: Lesson 11 “The Babylonian
Embassy” section introducing Isaiah Chapter 39)
P
Pactyes
A native of Lydia (in western Asia Minor); in 546 BC, Cyrus appointed him as the governor of the capital city of
Sardis after King Croesus had been defeated and deposed. However, not long afterward, Pactyes, the Lydian
governor of Sardis, revolted. At Croesus' advice, Cyrus sent an army to capture Pactyes but spare the people of
Sardis. Pactyes fled Sardis, but was captured. [See entry on “Croesus, King” for more detail]—(REFERENCE:
Lesson 14 “Oracle Concerning Cyrus the Persian” section)
Pekah, King (740-732 BC)
King of the northern kingdom of Israel from 740-732 BC; the “son of Remaliah.” He was the second to the last king
of Israel before the destruction of Samaria in 722 BC at the hands of the Assyrians. In 734 BC, he joined forces with
King Rezin of Syria to attack King Ahaz of Judah. The hope was to replace Ahaz with a Syrian named Tabeel, who
would theoretically lead Judah to join their anti-Assyrian coalition. The plan failed and King Pekah ultimately gave
up resistance to the invading Assyrians, leaving Syria without allies. In 732 BC, Hoshea took the throne of Israel by
assassinating King Pekah in order to appease the king of Assyria, Tiglath-pileser III.—(REFERENCE: Isa.
7:2,3,4,7; 8:5-6; 17:1-2, 3 / Lesson 4 section on “Messianic Hope” before Chapter 9)
Psamtik/Psammetichus I, King
Son of King Necho I (Egypt); his father had been defeated and killed by Tantamani in 664 BC. With Assyrian
support, Psamtik became king of Sais in Egypt and in the following year (663 BC) the Assyrians returned to defeat
Tantamani at Memphis and Thebes. Karnak, the largest and most sacred temple in Egypt was pillaged. The world
was shocked.—( REFERENCE: Lesson 7 “Leading up to the Egyptian Civil War” section)
R
Rabshakeh
An important royal official in the Assyrian government; not a personal name but an office (eg.—Secretary of
State)—Akkadian for "chief cupbearer." The Rabshakeh appears in important negotiations, especially during the
meeting with King Hezekiah’s representatives during the revolt from 703-701 BC (Is. 36:2-3; 2 Kings 18:17-18).
[See entries “Shebna” and “Eliakim”]—( REFERENCE: Isa.22:20; 36:1-2, 5-10, 11, 12-13, 18-20; 37:1, 2-4, 8-9,
10-13 / Lesson 8 Intro to “Oracles for Shebna and Eliakim” section)
Rahab
The name of a monster at the beginning of creation whom God took control of the seas and calmed its waves (Ps.
89:9-10). Frequently, it is used to identify Egypt, for instance in Psalm 87:4 & Isaiah 30:7. In Isa.51:9-10, Isaiah
links the defeat of the monster at creation with the defeat of Egypt as a model of the defeat of Babylon, whose
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mother goddess was Tiamat, the salt water, who created a monster named Kingu, both of whom were defeated by
the god Marduk. Isaiah is claiming that the Lord God defeats the forces of chaos in the past, present and future by
his mighty arm.—(REFERENCE: Isa.30:7; 51:9-10)
Rehoboam, King (c. 931-913 BC)
The son of King Solomon; he was the last King of a united Israel. After the revolt of Jeroboam ben Nebat divided
the kingdom, Rehoboam became the first king of the Southern Kingdom of Judah. Our study text refers to him thus:
“justice and righteousness…were absent in Solomon’s foolish son, Rehoboam, at the time of the division of the two
kingdoms of Israel and Judah.”—(REFERENCE: Isa.7:17; 9:7)
Rezin, King
King of Damascus, Syria. In 734 BC, he joined forces with King Pekah of Israel to attack King Ahaz of Judah. The
hope was to replace Ahaz with a Syrian named Tabeel, who would theoretically lead Judah to join their antiAssyrian coalition. By 732 BC, the Assyrians, under Tiglath-Pileser III, had defeated Syria and executed King
Rezin.—(REFERENCE: Isa. 7:2, 15-16; 8:5-6; 17:1-2)
S
Sargon II, King (722-705 BC)
Assyrian King from 722-705 BC; grandson of King Tiglath-Pileser III (747-727 BC). In 722 BC, his father, King
Shalmaneser V (727-722 BC) took the city of Samaria, but Sargon would take credit for it, since he returned to
further destroy the country in 720 BC after destroying Hamath, a city in northern Syria who had rebelled against
him. Sargon took 27,290 inhabitants of Samaria captive and then settled the people of Hamath in Samaria.
Sargon’s territorial expansion was resisted in 713 BC by the coalition of King Hezekiah of Judah, King Iamani of
Ashdod, and Pharaoh Shabaka of Egypt [read greater detail under “Hezekiah” entry]. In 711 BC, Sargon conquered
Babylon from the Chaldeans. He died in 705 BC—(REFERENCE: Isa.10:9; 17:3,4-6; 21:1-2; 28:2-4; 29:2-3 /
Lesson 7 Intro; Lesson 9 Intro; Lesson 11 Introductory material to Isa. Chapter 39)
Sennacherib, King (705-681 BC)
Assyrian king during the time of King Hezekiah (715-687 BC) of Judah, who experienced much devastation at his
hand. With a massive army, he invaded Judah between 705-701 BC, entering Jerusalem in 701 BC. A plague
decimated his army at that time (2 Kings 19:35) and he withdrew from the city, sparing it complete destruction and
leaving Hezekiah as king. However, this “victory” for Jerusalem was more of a moral victory than anything. In Isaiah
22, the prophet Isaiah criticizes the city’s inappropriate celebration at the Assyrian army’s withdrawal, for, as a
matter of actual fact, Sennacherib had taken 46 cities and forts in Judah, captured 200,150 prisoners and increased
Judah’s tribute. Sennacherib also defeated Phoenicia, Edom, and Egypt. In 689 BC he sacked the city of Babylon.
In 681, Sennacherib was assassinated by his 2 older sons. He was succeeded as king by his younger brother,
Esarhaddon (681-669 BC)—(REFERENCE: Isa.1:7-8; 7:17; 8:9-10; 21:11-2; 21:16-17; Chapter 23 Intro; 28:15;
28:21; 29:14; 29:17; 37:22-29; 37:33-35; 37:36-38; Chapter 39 intro & Introductions to Lessons 9 & 11)
Shabaka, Pharaoh
An Ethiopian man who founded the 25th Dynasty of Egypt after the death of Pharaoh Bakenrenef in 715 BC. In 713
BC, he joined King Iamani of Ashod and King Hezekiah of Judah in revolt against Assyrian King Sargon II. [For
greater context, see “Hezekiah” entry]—(REFERENCE: 18:1-3; 21:1-2 / Lesson 7 Introduction; Lesson 9
(Introductory material to Isa. Chapter 30))
Shalmaneser V, King (727-722 BC)
Assyrian King from 727-722 BC; son of King Tiglath-Pileser III (747-727 BC). In 722 BC, he took the city of
Samaria, but his son, King Sargon II (722-705 BC) returned in 720 BC to, as it were, “finish the job.” [For greater
detail, see “Hezekiah” & “Sargon II” entries]—(REFERENCE: Isa.10:9)
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Sha- nabushu
Army General under Assyrian King Esarhaddon (681-669 BC). In 669 BC, he led an army into lower Egypt to quell
a rebellion incited by the Ethiopians.—( REFERENCE: Lesson 7 “Leading up to the Egyptian Civil War” section)
Shearjashub
Son of Isaiah; his name means “a remnant will return,” a message pertinent for the survivors of Assyrian war of
734-732 BC [also see entry “Mahershalalhashbaz”]—(REFERENCE: Isa.7:4; 8:18; 10:20-21)
Shebitku, Pharaoh
The second ruler of the Ethiopian 25th Dynasty of Egypt, founded by Shabaka. When Assyrian King Sargon II died
in 705 BC he was succeeded by his son Sennacherib (705-681). At that time Shebitku sent ambassadors to Judah
to persuade Hezekiah to join a revolt– which also included King Luli of Tyre and Sidon–against the Assyrians.
Isaiah would proclaim woe against those who trusted in Pharaoh Shebitku’s revolt. [For greater context, see
“Hezekiah” entry]—[REFERENCE: 18:1-3; 22:11; 28:15; 29:14; 37:8-9 / Lesson 8 [Introductory material to Isaiah
chapter 23]; Lesson 9 Main Introduction & introductory material to Isaiah chapter 30)
Shebna
Shebna was a member of Jerusalem's royal court. Being over King Hezekiah’s household, Shebna was something
of the equivalent of prime minister. He was instrumental in convincing Hezekiah to join the rebellion against Assyria
from 703-701 BC. He was one of the three Judahite officials who met with the Assyrian Rabshakeh (Akkadian for
"chief cupbearer," an important royal official) for negotiations during the revolt (Is. 36:2-3; 2 Kings 18:17-18). Isaiah
confronted Shebna for selfishly pursuing his own interests (ie.–preparing his own tomb) even as the nation faced
the looming threat of Assyrian invasion brought about by his own counsel to King Hezekiah. Shebna will be
replaced as prime minister by Eliakim, who will serve the office honorably.—(REFERENCE: Isa.22:15,16,17 /
Lesson 8 Intro to “Oracles for Shebna and Eliakim” section)
Sheshbazzar
An exile in Babylon, he was released and returned to Jerusalem in the spring of 537 BC. In September/October
537, rebuilt the altar and re-instituted Jewish sacrifice “according to the Law of Moses.” This was the beginning of
what would become known as the “Feast of Booths.” The foundation for the new Temple was laid in 536 BC and by
516 BC it was completed.—(REFERENCE: Isa.26:21; 52:9-10 / Lesson 17 “History of Return” section; Lesson 19
“Historical Background” section)
Sidka, KIng
King of Ashkelon, an important coastal city of the Philistines. King Sidka was part of an anti-Assyrian coalition that
was crushed by Assyrian King Sennacherib in 701 BC. [For greater detail, see entries for “Luli, King”, “Shebitku,
Pharaoh” and “Hezekiah, King”]—(REFERENCE: Isa.29:14; 36:1-2)
Solomon, King (c.971-931)
The third king of a united Israel; the son of King David and Bathsheba (2 Sam.12:24); reigned circa 971-931 BC.
The reign of his son Rehoboam (931-913 BC—see Isa.9:7)—described in our study text as “foolish”—marked the
point at which Israel divided into a Northern Kingdom, headed by King Jereboam ben Nebat (c. 931-910) and a
Southern Kingdom under Rehoboam. Pertinent to this study of the Book of Isaiah–A) Solomon built in Jerusalem a
storage place for weapons (called “House of the Forest”) that was used when the Assyrians invaded Jerusalem in
701 (see Isa.22:8-9); B) Proverbs 25 is described as “the proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah King of
Judah copied.” This contained a number of wisdom sayings about the role of the king that influenced many
(including the prophets) after him (seeIsa.32:1); C) Solomon constructed a magnificent Temple in Jerusalem (also
known as the First Temple), which was destroyed in 587 BC by Babylonian King Nebuchanezzar II (see Isa.66:1-2)
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T
Tabeel
A Syrian of Aramean descent. In 734, King Rezin of Syria and King Pekah of Israel attacked Jerusalem, hoping to
overthrow King Ahaz and replace him with Tabeel (REFERENCE: Isa.7:2 & 17:1-2)
Taharqa, Pharaoh—AKA Tirhakah
Third and last ruler of the Ethiopian 25th Dynasty of Egypt, founded by Shabaka; he was the son (New Bible
Dictionary says “young and inexperienced brother”) of Pharaoh Shebitku. Along with King Luli (Tyre & Sidon) and
King Sidka (Ashekelon), he led an army against Assyrian King Sennacherib (705-681 BC) in 702 BC and was
defeated in an open field battle. He took refuge in the town of Lachish (which Sennacherib destroyed) then
retreated to Egypt. There was a second revolt against Sennacherib in 690 BC which King Hezekiah of Judah was
persuaded to join. After Shebitku’s death, Taharqa became the last ruler of the 25 th Dynasty of Egypt. He died in
664 BC—(REFERENCE: Isa.29:14; 36:1-2; 37:8-9 / Lesson 7 “Leading Up to the Egyptian Civil War” section)
Tantamani
Cousin of Pharaoh Taharqa, who appointed him heir to the throne of Napata, in Ethiopia in 665 BC. After Taharqa’s
death in 664 BC, Tantamani re-conquered Egypt and killed Necho I—( REFERENCE: Lesson 7 “Leading up to the
Egyptian Civil War”)
Tiamat
Babylonian mother goddess identified as the salt water. According to the “creation” account of the Enuma Elish, she
mated with the god Apso to produce other dieties who were identified with the basic elements that give order to the
world (ie.–gods of sun, wind, storm, etc.). Tiamat created a monster named Kingu. Ultimately, Tiamat’s
grandchildren, chief among whom was Marduk, formed an army to attack and defeat their sea water grandmother
and Kingu. Tiamat’s corpse was cut in two parts lengthwise—the top portion becoming the sky and the bottom
becoming the earth.—(REFERENCE: Isa.40:26, 28; 44:9-10, 24; 45:18; 48:12-13; 51:9-10)
Tiglath-Pileser III, King (747-727 BC)
Assyrian King active during the reigns of 3 kings of Judah: Uzziah (769-743 BC), Jotham (743-735 BC) and Ahaz
(735-715 BC). Between 734-732 BC, Tiglath-Pileser attacked the nations west of Syria—Phoenicia, Philistia, and
the coastal towns between. In response to his aggression, King Rezin of Syria & King Pekah of Israel formed an
anti-Assyrian alliance and tried to overthrow King Ahaz in order to broaden participation in their alliance. The
overthrow attempt failed. Ahaz paid tribute to Tiglath-Pileser to bribe him to attack Syria and Israel (2 Kings 16:7).
Ultimately, King Pekah gave up resistance. This left Syria isolated and in 732 BC Tiglath-Pileser defeated
Damascus. Then, despite the fact that both Jerusalem and Samaria had tried to make peace with him, he invaded
Israel, making 2/3 of it an Assyrian province and leaving the remaining 1/3 with Samaria as its capital. At that time,
Hoshea assassinated King Pekah and made himself King of Israel, although Tiglath-Pileser claims to have set him
on the throne. In 729, Tiglath-Pileser invaded and captured Babylon, killing King Nabu-ukin-zer and called himself
the “King of Babylon” out of respect for Babylon as the source of Assyrian culture.—(REFERENCE: Isa.5:26;
7:7,8,13; 8:5-18 (introductory material); 10:7, 9, 20-21; 17:1-2, 3 / Lesson 4 (Intro to Isa. Chapter 9); Lesson 11
(Intro to Isa. Chapter 39))
Tirhakah, Pharaoh
See “Taharqa, Pharaoh”
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U
Uriah
Isaiah enlisted Uriah and Zechariah as two witnesses to his written word—(REFERENCE: Isa.8:2-4)
Uzziah, King (769-743 BC)
Son of King Amaziah (798-769 BC) of Judah. In 769, he took the throne at the age of 16. Around 750 BC, at the
age of 35, he became a leper. His son Jotham was co-regent with him until his death in 743. Uzziah was assessed
a good king at a prosperous time, but his failing was neglecting to remove the “high places” of illicit sacrifice and
worship—(REFERENCE: Isa.5:29-30 / Lesson 1 Intro; Lesson 3 Intro)
Z
Zechariah
Isaiah enlisted Uriah and Zechariah as two witnesses to his written word—(REFERENCE: Isa.8:2-4)
Zerubbabel
The grandson of Judah's King Jehoiachin (597). In 522 BC, Zerubbabel returned from Babylon to Jerusalem with
other exiles. By 520, he had started working to finish the Temple.—(REFERENCE: Lesson 19 “Historical
Background section”)
Zeus
Greek god; father of Chronos (“Father Time”)–(REFERENCE: Isa.46;1)
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