Hazael Booty Inscriptions (Arslan Tash Ivory and Samos Horse Frontlet)
Luxury goods marked 'for our lord Hazael', carried off as plunder across the ancient world
Found 1928 — Arslan Tash ivory: Francois Thureau-Dangin (French expedition, 1928). Samos frontlet: German Archaeological Institute at the Heraion of Samos (1984); a matching blinker from Eretria, Greece (1980s)
Where Arslan Tash, Syria; Heraion of Samos and Eretria, Greece (Syria / Greece)
Dates from c. 840–800 BCE · Iron Age IIB · Divided Kingdom (Hazael of Aram)
Now at Ivory: Louvre Museum, Paris (AO 11489). Frontlet: Archaeological Museum of Vathy, Samos (B 2579). Blinker: Archaeological Museum of Eretria
Names a biblical person Hazael
How Hazael Booty Inscriptions (Arslan Tash Ivory and Samos Horse Frontlet) was found
The ivory strip was found in the Assyrian palace at Arslan Tash (ancient Hadatu), Syria, where it had been taken as loot. The bronze horse frontlet and blinker were dedicated in Greek temples, where they had arrived as gifts or plunder centuries after Hazael.
What it is
A carved ivory strip with an Aramaic line 'engraved for our lord Hazael in the year...'; and two decorated bronze horse-harness pieces with the Aramaic text 'That which Hadad gave our lord Hazael from Umqi (Unqi) in the year our lord crossed the river.' The frontlet is 27 cm long with a naked goddess and animals in relief.
Why it matters for the Bible
These objects belonged to the court of Hazael, the Aramean king whom Elisha foresaw would 'do evil to the children of Israel'. They show his reach into north Syria (Unqi) and how his treasures were later scattered by Assyrian conquest and trade all the way to Greek temples. Together with the Tel Dan Stele and the Gath siege trench, they make Hazael one of the best-attested foreign kings in the Bible.
The Hebrew word: Ha-DAHD
הֲדַד
הֲדַד is pronounced Ha-DAHD and means Hadad, the Aramean storm god (Strong's H1908).
People this discovery connects to
- Hazael — חֲזָאֵל (Cha-zah-EL) — El has seen
Places
- Damascus — דַּמֶּשֶׂק (Dah-MEH-sek) — (uncertain)
Events
Hazael's conquests · Elisha's prophecy about Hazael
Hazael Booty Inscriptions (Arslan Tash Ivory and Samos Horse Frontlet) in Scripture
1 Kings 19:15 First mention of Hazael in Scripture.
2 Kings 8:12-13 Elisha foresees Hazael's rise and cruelty; these are the possessions of that king.
Amos 1:4 'I will send a fire on the house of Hazael' — Hazael's dynasty named as a byword for Aramean power.
Questions people ask
What is Hazael Booty Inscriptions (Arslan Tash Ivory and Samos Horse Frontlet)?
A carved ivory strip with an Aramaic line 'engraved for our lord Hazael in the year...'; and two decorated bronze horse-harness pieces with the Aramaic text 'That which Hadad gave our lord Hazael from Umqi (Unqi) in the year our lord crossed the river.' The frontlet is 27 cm long with a naked goddess and animals in relief.
When was Hazael Booty Inscriptions (Arslan Tash Ivory and Samos Horse Frontlet) discovered?
It was found in 1928 by Arslan Tash ivory: Francois Thureau-Dangin (French expedition, 1928). Samos frontlet: German Archaeological Institute at the Heraion of Samos (1984); a matching blinker from Eretria, Greece (1980s), at Arslan Tash, Syria; Heraion of Samos and Eretria, Greece.
Where is Hazael Booty Inscriptions (Arslan Tash Ivory and Samos Horse Frontlet) today?
Ivory: Louvre Museum, Paris (AO 11489). Frontlet: Archaeological Museum of Vathy, Samos (B 2579). Blinker: Archaeological Museum of Eretria.
Which Bible verses does Hazael Booty Inscriptions (Arslan Tash Ivory and Samos Horse Frontlet) relate to?
1 Kings 19:15, 2 Kings 8:12-13, Amos 1:4.
Related discoveries
- אַל־תִּירָאZakkur SteleA king of Hamath saved from 'Bar-Hadad son of Hazael' — Ben-Hadad III in stone
- בֵּית דָּוִדTel Dan SteleAramean victory inscription naming the 'House of David'
- מָצוֹרTell es-Safi/Gath: Hazael's Siege TrenchA 2-km ditch and burnt city marking the Aramean destruction of Gath
- שַׁעַרTel Dan Iron Age Gate ComplexThe stone gate, plaza and 'seat of judgment' where the Tel Dan Stele was reused
- מֶלֶךְ אֲרָםShalmaneser III's Annals of 841 BCEThe Calah bull and marble-slab texts recording Hazael's defeat and Jehu's tribute
- גָּלְיָתGath (Tell es-Safi): Goliath's HometownThe 2005 ostracon with Goliath-like names and Hazael's siege trench
Sources
Open Hazael Booty Inscriptions (Arslan Tash Ivory and Samos Horse Frontlet) in Hebrew Explorer →