Divergent Perspectives: Sennacherib and Hezekiah Throughout the history of mankind, prior to technological advances of the modern times, the actual recording of historical events was difficult in comparison today. The tools that were used had changed and developed over time but the agent behind them remains the same, a human whose mind is subject to biases. Impartiality and accuracy of historical events are most ideal but this is not the case especially during wars and invasions. The diverging perspectives of the Assyrian and Israelite writers on what occurred on the event of the invasion can be seen from Sennacherib Prism and the Bible; however, there are details that provide a parallel to each other stories. One glaring detail was the omission of the Assyrian writers to address Hezekiah as king but rather as “the Jew”, whether this is intentional or unintentional, introduces contrasting views of King Hezekiah’s authority of his land. Assyrian writers, interestingly, …show more content…
Also, it adds to it that the Urbi, which supposedly acts an as armor to strengthen his land, eventually deserted Hezekiah. The account of abandonment is not clearly described in the Bible story but could explain Hezekiah’s acquiescence towards the king of Assyria. This corresponds with Hezekiah’s acceptance of King Sennacherib readily imposition in 2 Kings 18:14, “I have done wrong; withdraw from me; and I shall bear whatever you impose on me.” The account of imposition and acceptance of it establishes a similarity between the two versions but the exclusion of the Israelites writers of this detail is concerning to the overall plot of their story or the accuracy of the Assyrian writers. Sennacherib Prism recounts the offensive strategies with human power and machinery; on the other hand, the Bible minimizes such account and narrates more of the seeking of higher counsel, diplomacy, and divine