Bible Dictionaries
Esarhaddon

Holman Bible Dictionary

(ee' ssahr had' dahn) Assyrian royal name meaning, “Ashur (the god) has given a brother.” King of Assyria (681-669 B.C.). He was the favorite son of Sennacherib, who he succeeded as king. Sennacherib was assassinated in 681 by two other sons (2 Kings 19:36-37 ) as part of a civil war. Esarhaddon was at the time conducting a military campaign elsewhere. He returned to Assyria and mustered enough support to defeat his brothers in battle and end the civil war.

Esarhaddon was an eminent military general who defeated Taharqa, Pharaoh of Egypt, in the process of conquering the entire country. Esarhaddon ruled Egypt through Assyrian advisors and Egyptian district commanders. However, Egyptian rebellion to Assyrian domination came quickly. An ill Esarhaddon was returning to Egypt to squelch the rebellion when he died en route in 669 B.C.

There are many references to Esarhaddon in the Bible (2 Kings 19:36-37; Ezra 4:2; Isaiah 19:4; Isaiah 37:37-38 ). In Isaiah 19:4 he is probably the “cruel lord” and “fierce king” who conquered Egypt. In Ezra 4:2 he is recognized as the king who colonized Samaria. See Assyria.

M. Stephen Davis