Lachish
Second largest city of Judah, a military fortress besieged by Assyria.
First mentioned in the Bible
“So King Hezekiah of Judah sent word to the king of Assyria at Lachish, saying: ‘I have sinned. Withdraw from me. Whatever you impose on me, I will bear.’”— 2 Kings 18:14
Background
Lachish was the second largest city of Judah after Jerusalem, guarding the road to Egypt. In 701 BCE, Assyrian king Sennacherib besieged it with a massive army (2 Kings 18:13-14). The Nineveh palace reliefs vividly depict this siege. Later, Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar also conquered Lachish (Jeremiah 34:7). The Lachish Letters (588 BCE) are precious documents recording the garrison’s desperate pleas before Judah’s fall.
Related Scriptures (New World Translation)
So King Hez·e·kiʹah of Judah sent word to the king of As·syrʹi·a at Laʹchish: “I am at fault. Withdraw from against me, and I will give whatever you may impose on me.” The king of As·syrʹi·a imposed on King Hez·e·kiʹah of Judah a fine of 300 silver talents and 30 gold talents.— 2 Kings 18:14
Appears in these Bible journeys
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