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Cited by 1Biblical Studies and InterpretationAncient Near East HistoryAncient Egypt and Archaeology

Assyrian Chronology and Ideology of Kingship: The Impact on Biblical Historiography and Religion

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Derstine, Philip·2024·Religions
DOI 10.3390/rel15070804
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Abstract

Studies since 2005 have raised doubts about the Assyrian King List’s (AKL) intention and ability to measure absolute time. If telescoping of time occurred, it would be difficult to detect during periods when royal annals were scant. The best way to detect discontinuity in the AKL is by comparison with contemporary king lists, such as one constructed from 1–2 Kings regnal formulas. If the AKL conflates time, an assessment of the plausibility of historical scenarios resulting from different timeframes allows for discrimination between one timeline or another. Israel and Judah’s interlocking chronological systems make a comparison with the Neo-Assyrian timeline possible but contain 44 more years than the timeline implied by the AKL and Assyrian Eponym Canon. By narrowing the window of time within which a deficit in the Neo-Assyrian canons may have occurred, possible reasons for missing years in the consensus chronology present themselves. This investigation concludes that Assyria sought to maintain the legitimacy of the institution of kingship during a protracted period of unacceptable or anomalous authority. Concerns surrounding the continuity of kingship would have dictated the final form of the Assyrian King List/Assyrian Eponym Canon. Using Divided Kingdom regnal data, a revision of the historical timeline is proposed that aligns archaeological, radiocarbon, biblical, and Assyrian data.

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Authors
Derstine, P.
Affiliations
University of South Africa (ZA)
Corresponding author
Derstine, Philip
Venue
Religions
Publisher
MDPI AG
Published
2024-06-30
Volume
15
Issue
7
Pages
804
ISSN
2077-1444 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.3390/rel15070804
OpenAlex
W4400294603
Semantic Scholar
e75c45440d3198a42a09d3c0ad387be5f0c3f59c
Cited by
1
References
90
Citations by year
2026: 1
FWCI
6.59
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Religions (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Religious studies › Biblical Studies and Interpretation
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Archeology › Ancient Near East History
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Archeology › Ancient Egypt and Archaeology
Keywords
kingship ideology, biblical historiography, radiocarbon dating, royal legitimacy

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