Thru Jack Sasson, I received today notice that the new Ugarit-forschungen (volume 38) has appeared. Of interest to fans of Tell es-Safi/Gath, there is an article by Alex Zukerman and Itzik Shai, long-time core members of the Tell es-Safi/Gath excavation.
The article: Zukerman, A., and Shai, I. 2006. “The Royal City of the Philistines” in the “Azekah Inscription” and the History of Gath in the Eighth Century BCE. Ugarit-Forschungen 38: 729–816, deals with the history of Gath, Philistia, and Judah in the 8th century BCE, with particular emphasis on the Assyrian campaigns to Philistia by Sargon II and Sennacherib.
Among other issues dealt with (in this 87 page article!) is the question of the identity of the city (whose name is unfortunately erased) in the well-known “Azekah” inscription. This inscription has been discussed by many scholars, as to the date (Sargon II or Sennacherib) and the identity of the city that is besieged and captured. While some suggest that it is Gath, others have suggested Ekron.
Alex and Itzik argue that it is Gath, and believe that the Aramean siege trench (or rather the filling in of the trench) is mentioned in the inscription.
Although I’m sure not everyone will agree with everything written in this study, it is a very impressive, erudite, wide ranging study, and will undoubtedly be a central facet for the future study of this period and these topics.
Congrads to Alex and Itzik - nice work!!!!
Aren
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