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LACHISH
A. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Without a doubt, Lachish served as one of the central city of the Shephelah during the period of the Canaanite and Israelite Periods. Except for a brief time period during the Late Bronze Age (c. 12th century B.C.), Lachish was a heavily fortified city which played an important defensive role for much of Old Testament history. Inhabited approximately in the 17th century B.C. by the Canaanites, Lachish represents one of the largest (30 acres) and most significant tels (ancient mounds) in the entire land of Israel.
According to the Biblical account, Joshua conquered the destroyed first Jericho and Ai, and then made a treaty with Gibeon by which the Gibeonites agreed to serve Israel. In response, 5 Canaanite kings, including Japhia, the king of Lachish, formed an anti-Israelite alliance. This alliance of 5 Canaanite kings met the armies of Joshua on the field of battle in the Valley of Aijalon. With God’s help, Joshua roundly impressively defeated the five kings. It was then that “the sun stood still” to allow Israel time to finish the attack (see Joshua 10:12-14).
Following swiftly on this victory, Joshua proceeded to attack Makkedah, Libnah, and then Lachish. (see Joshua 10:31-32 - “From Libnah, Joshua proceeded with all Israel to Lachish. He encamped against it and attacked it. The Lord delivered Lachish into the hands of Israel. They captured it on the second day and put it and all the people in to the sword...) Incidentally, the massive destruction level of this Canaanite city, including a temple, walls and gates, has been dated by more liberal archaeologists to the 12th century B.C., attributing either Joshua or even the Philistines as having done the damage. However, according to the Biblical record, Joshua defeated this city in the around 1,400 B.C.
For the period after the Israelite conquering of this city (14th-12th), there is poor representation of who lived here. However, Lachish, like much of Canaan was probably still influenced by Egypt’s New Kingdom (c.1,500-1,070 B.C.) It seems as when the Egyptian influence diminished in this region, Lachish was then rebuilt and refortified early in the Divided Kingdom by King Rehoboam (928-911 B.C.). This king of Judah fortified Lachish as the southern-most of the line of fortified cites in protecting the western flank of the kingdom of Judah (II Chronicles 11:5-12). These earliest Iron Age remains (attributed to the time of Asa, 908-867 B.C.) included a massive wall 18 feet think and 14 feet high, as well as a complex gate structure. To the time of Jehoshaphat (870-846 B.C.) is attributed the enlargement of the fortified palace. A second wall was added, making Lachish a well fortified double-walled fortress.
In 701 B.C following the defeat and deportation of the northern kingdom of Israel, the Assyrians, under the leadership of King Sennacherib, attacked Lachish. The battle is well documented on battle reliefs on the walls of his palace in Ninevah, as well on a 15 inch high 6 sided clay prism (in Akkadian) which states that Sennacherib defeated 46 fortified cities of Judah during this southern military campaign. In his own words, “I besieged and conquered (46 walled cities of Judah) by stamping down earthramps and then by bringing up battering rams, by the assault of foot soldiers, by breaches, tunneling, and sapper operations. Young and old, male and female were the spoils of war.... Hezekiah, the Jew (in Jerusalem) was shut up like a caged bird within Jerusalem, his royal city.” Although Lachish was severely damaged, with Judeans being deported to Assyria themselves, the city was eventually rebuilt (probably by King Josiah (639-609 B.C.) as the Assyrian Empire declined in influence in this region.
In 588 B.C., Lachish met its final devastation by King Nebuchadnezzer and the Babylonians. Several of the 21 ostraca (Inscribed pottery sherds) that were found in the city gate structure reveal aspects of the Babylonian attack of Judah. As it is titled, “Lachish Letter #4” represents parts of a letter that was probably sent either from a military outpost or from Lachish itself as a warning message of the invading Babylonians.
The letter as it was written by a man named Hosha’yahu to a man named Ya’ush records that fact that the signal fires from Tel Azekah 7 miles away cannot be seen. The letter reads “...but I will send him tomorrow morning. And let my Lord know that we are watching over the beacon of Lachish, according to the signals which my lord has given, for Azekah is not to be seen.”
According to Jeremiah 34:6-7, Lachish and Azekah were the only two cites left, besides Jerusalem, as the Babylonians conquered the land!
Following the destruction of Lachish, the city was re-established in the Persian Empire, and later in the Hellenistic Kingdom.
B. BIBLICAL REFERENCES
1. Joshua 10:3-35 Adonizedek get 5 Canaanite kings to help him stop Joshua from invading the region. King Japhia of Lachish is one of them. Therefore, Joshua passed from Libnah to Lachish and takes the city on the second day of fighting.
2. II Kings 14:19 Judah conspires against King Amaziah, causing him to flee for safety to Lachish. He gets killed there.
3. II Kings 18:13f In the 14th year of King Hezekiah, Sennacherib, King of Assryia, attacked all the fortified cities of Judah and captured them. So Hezekiah sends a message to Sennacherib who is camped at Lachish. As a result of temple silver offered to Sennacherib, this king of Assyria sends his supreme commander with a large army to surrounds Jerusalem. In the end, Lachish is taken, but not Jerusalem. (See also II Chronicles 32)
4. II Kings 19:8 Following the fight against Lachish, Sennacherib heads to Libnah.
5. II Chron. 11:9 King Rehoboam fortifies many cities....Lachish.
6. Jeremiah 34:7 Nebuchadnezzer, King of Babylon, fights against Jerusalem and against the cities of Judah that were left - Lachish and Azekah.
C. ARCHAEOLGICAL FINDS OF INTEREST
1. MIDDLE BRONZE: British archaeologist James Starkey, the site’s first archaeologist who dug here from 1932-38) City walls and an impressive fosse or dry moat which were part of a massive defense system for these early Canaanites. These massive fortifications extended down the entire slope of the tel.
2. LATE BRONZE: The “Fosse Canaanities Temple” was found as well as a domestic/public building used in this now, for some strange reason, unforitfied city. The city was apparently destroyed by fire., perhaps by the Philistines in the 12th century B.C. This building measured 45 feet long and consisted of 2 central halls. Later in this period, an acropolis temple was found inside the city, replacing the Fosse Temple. Dwelling houses were also discovered.
3. Iron Age: After an apparent break in habitation, the city was re-fortified after King Solomon died by King Rehoboam (928 B.C.). The earliest city gateway dates to this period. The gate was later built up by King Jehosophat
(870-846 B.C.). It was at this time that the city was fortified with a double wall. The outer walls measured 18 feet thick and stood up to 14 feet high. The gate complex is one of the largest ever found in Israel.
In the 8th century B.C., the Assyrians attacked and conquered 46 walled cities of Judah. Evidence of the attack here is seen in the Assyrian siege ramp. The battle reliefs in Ninevah reveal complex battle and exportation strategies of the Assyrians.
The enemy used 7 battering rams to take the city. Of this level III of Lachish, smashed pottery vessels were discovered. Also, 20 pieces of scale armor were found, some possibly from the bronze crest from the Assyrian war helmets worn. Attached to the crest were remnants of cloth and leather fastenings. Also, numerous sling stones and arrow heads were found in the battle areas of the towered walls. Deported Judeans taken to Ninevah were probably used to complete Sennacherib’s new palace in 694 B.C. before Sennacherib’s death in 681 B.C.
In the 7th century B.C. the city was rebuilt by King Josiah (639-609 B.C.). Evidence here points to the Babylonian military campaign. Most important was the find of the “Lachish Letters,” 21 ostraca found in the gate area of the city. Also, the palace-fort was found in rui
After the fall of Judah to the Babylonians, later 6th century B.C. through the 2nd century B.C. remains were uncovered (a palace built by Achaemenid of the Persian Empire; a fortified wall and gate from the 4th century B.C., and a solar shrine dating to the same period.).