HAZOR

A. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

The history begins in this city approximately during the Canaanite Period. Located in northern Israel, Hazor has historically been a strategic city of fortification.  The earliest mentioning of Hazor is in the Egyptian Execration Texts (19-18th century B.C.).  It is also referred to as a center for the caravans that traveled from Hazor to Babylon.  According to these documents, Hazor had an active part in the tin trade.  During the time of the New Kingdom of Egypt (1,560 B.C.), it is mentioned in the lists of Thutmose III (very possibly, the Pharaoh of the Exodus!), Amenophis II, and Seti I.  In the El Amarna letters the ruler of Hazor is called “king” and in his letters to the  Egyptian courts he expresses loyalty to the Pharaoh of Egypt.  The last reference to the place in the Egyptian sources comes in a document of the time of Ramses II (1,280 - 1,220 B.C., “traditionally” the Pharaoh of the Exodus).

In the Bible, Hazor features prominently in the account of the conquests of Joshua (Josh. 11:10-13).  The text singles out Hazor as one of the few cities Joshua burnt (along with Ai).  The ruler of Hazor was one of thirty one kings of Canaan conquered by the invading Israelites.  Later, King Jabin of Hazor (Judges 4:2) and his captain Sisera are mentioned in the account of the wars of Deborah.  It is also recorded that King Solomon built the city together with Megiddo and Gezer( I Kg. 9:15).  In 732 B.C., the city was destroyed by King Tiglath-Pileser III of Assyria.  After that date there is no further mention of the city. 

B. BIBLICAL REFERENCES

1.  Josh. 11:1-13   During the northern campaign of Israel, Jabin, King of Hazor, calls on different kings in the area to try and stop Joshua and the invading Israelites.  Joshua conquers Hazor and kills the king of this city.

2.  Josh. 19:36  Hazor was a fortified city.

3.  Judges 4:2  The Israelites are sold into the hands of Jabin, king of Hazor, whose captain of the army is Sisera.  Deborah and Barak defeat this army in the Jezreel Valley.

4.  I Sam. 12:9  Samuel reviews the past victories and difficult times with the army of Hazor.

5.  I Kgs. 9:15  Solomon fortifies Hazor.

6.  II Kgs. 15:29   In the days of Pekah, King Tiglath-Pileser of Assyria takes this northern area including Hazor.          

C. ARCHAEOLOGICAL FINDS OF INTEREST

1.  MIDDLE BRONZE II:  As this city expanded from the Early Bronze Period, remains of  the foundation walls have been excavated.  These were walls that were part of fortifying the lower city.  During the 17-16th centuries B.C., the city suffered violent destruction by fire, which archaeologists tend to attribute to Amosis of Egypt.  Also, impressive gates have been found, indicating the strategic importance of this site.  These gates were connected to casemate walls.

2.  LATE BRONZE I:  On top of the ashes from this burning, a new city was built in the 15th century B.C.  Again, fortification walls were excavated.  The flourishing period for Hazor was in the 14th century B.C.   In this time period, a shrine was discovered consisting of a broad hall with a niche in its western wall containing small stalae and statues.  Other dwelling places can be seen.

3.  LATE BRONZE II:  In this period, a newer shrine area was discovered.  Among the objects found were a statue on which are seen a pair of hands outstretched towards a crescent and a disc, a basalt statuette, and a small lion.  Also, numerous infant burial jars were discovered below the floors of the houses.   The palace of this Late Bronze city was found to be burned. 

A major change was introduced in the temple of the next phase, of the 14th century B.C.  This was built on a tripartite plan, consisting of a porch and a Holy of Holies, probably supporting a roof on wooden beams.  Many elements in this temple have counterparts in the Temple of Solomon in Jerusalem.  Indeed, scholars suggest that the Israelite plan may have originated in a northern Late Bronze Age prototype.

4.  IRON AGE I:  During the days of Solomon, the Old Testament indicates that the city was fortified even more.  Impressive Solomonic gates can be seen and even walked through.  Other buildings and houses represent early Iron Age dwelling.  Most impressively, a water system/tunnel was built in the 10th century B.C.  This system consisted of a pier and a tunnel 15 feet high and wide, sloping down in a series of steps over a distance of more than 90 feet.  This water system coincides with the water systems discovered at Megiddo, Gezer, and Jerusalem.

5.  IRON AGE II: Also, dating to the time of King Omri (882-871 B.C.), a large storehouse was found, along the center of which ran two rows of massive pillars.  The storehouse was apparently still in use through the 9th century B.C.  6.    IRON AGE III:  During the days of Jeroboam II (784-748 B.C.) a residential quarter was built on the site of the storehouse.  This city was destroyed by an earthquake and was subsequently rebuilt.  It was later destroyed and burned by Tiglath-Pileser of Assyria in 732 B.C.  Typical 4 room Israelite houses (dating to all periods of the Iron Age) can be seen.