The Broad Wall

Megalim: The City of David Institute for Jerusalem Studies
Project Description

 

The Old Testament tells us that Sennacherib encamped at Lachish and established his headquarters there, at least during part of his sojourn in Judah. This fact is mentioned a number of times: in II Kings 18:14 and 17, in Isaiah 36:2 and 37:8 and again in II Chronicles 32:9. In the latter verse, we read that “after this did Sennacherib king of Assyria send his servants to Jerusalem, but he himself laid siege against Lachish, and all his power with him.”

According to the biblical versions, Sennacherib, while sojourning in Lachish, sent to Jerusalem a task force commanded by three officials, the Tartan, the Rabshakeh and the Rabsaris. The Assyrian army appeared in front of the walled capital and apparently laid siege to the city. The Rabshakeh presented an ultimatum to Hezekiah which was rejected by the king with active support of the prophet Isaiah. Eventually, Jerusalem was saved, but only by a miracle: “Then the angel of the Lord went forth, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians a hundred and fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses” (Isaiah 37:36)

This film tells the story of the seven-foot wide broad wall built by Hezekiah to protect citizens who had built homes on the western hill of Jerusalem.

 

Project Details
  • Client - The City of David Excavations
  • Launch Date - 2013
  • Era - 8th Century BCE