Original Word: שַׁלְמַנְאֶסֶר
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Shalman'ecer
Pronunciation: shal-mah-NEH-ser
Phonetic Spelling: (shal-man-eh'-ser)
KJV: Shalmaneser Comp H8020
NASB: Shalmaneser
Word Origin: [of foreign derivation]

1. Shalmaneser, an Assyrian king

Shalmaneser

Of foreign derivation; Shalmaneser, an Assyrian king -- Shalmaneser. Comp Shalman.

see HEBREW Shalman

Word Origin
of foreign origin
Definition
a king of Assyr.
NASB Translation
Shalmaneser (2).

שַׁלְמַנְאֶ֫סֶר proper name, masculine king of Assyria (properly אסרד-, = Assyrian Šulman-ašaridu, '(God) Šulman is chief,' Schr^{ZK ii (1885), 197 ff.} Muss-Arn^{JBL xi (1892). 79}); — 2 Kings 17:3 = 2 Kings 18:9; Σαλ(α)μανας(ς)αρ, ᵑ9 Salmanasar. This was ׳שׁ IV, B.C. 727-722, Say^{Hast. DB under the word} Johns^{Ency. Bib. under the word}

שֵׁלָנִי see II. שֵׁלָה. שִׁלֹנִי see below שִׁלוֺ.

Biblical Occurrences

Shalmaneser appears twice in Scripture, both in the narrative of the closing days of the Northern Kingdom:
• 2 Kings 17:3 – “Shalmaneser king of Assyria came up against him, and Hoshea became his vassal and paid him tribute.”
• 2 Kings 18:9 – “In the fourth year of King Hezekiah, which was the seventh year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, Shalmaneser king of Assyria marched against Samaria and laid siege to it.”

Historical Identity

The Shalmaneser of Kings is historically identified with Shalmaneser V (727–722 BC), son of Tiglath-Pileser III. Assyrian records attest to his campaigns in the western provinces, including the prolonged siege of Samaria. Although Sargon II claimed final credit for Samaria’s fall, Shalmaneser initiated the siege and began the deportations that fulfilled prophetic warnings issued by Amos, Hosea, and Isaiah.

Political Context

After Tiglath-Pileser III reorganized Assyria’s western territories, Hoshea of Israel rebelled, looking to Egypt (2 Kings 17:4). Shalmaneser responded by arresting Hoshea and besieging the capital. This campaign coincided with the early reign of Hezekiah in Judah, underscoring the geopolitical pressure Judah faced and setting the stage for later Assyrian threats in Isaiah 36–37.

Instrument of Divine Judgment

Shalmaneser’s advance embodied the covenant curses foretold in Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28. The fall of Samaria (completed 722 BC) demonstrated the reliability of prophetic warnings: “The LORD removed Israel from His presence” (2 Kings 17:23). Shalmaneser thus serves as an historical illustration of God’s sovereignty over nations (Proverbs 21:1) and His use of pagan powers to discipline His people (Isaiah 10:5).

Archaeological Corroboration

• Babylonian Chronicle 1 records Shalmaneser’s western campaigns in years five and six of his reign—aligning with 2 Kings.
• Assyrian king lists confirm his reign length and succession by Sargon II, validating the transition implied between 2 Kings 17 and 18.

Chronological Summary

725 BC – First Assyrian move against Samaria.

724–722 BC – Siege of Samaria under Shalmaneser V.

722 BC – Death of Shalmaneser; Sargon II claims final capture.

Theological Significance

1. Covenant Accountability: Shalmaneser embodies the consequences of persistent idolatry (2 Kings 17:7–18).
2. Prophetic Verification: His campaign vindicates the ministries of Hosea and Amos, who warned specifically of exile “beyond Damascus” (Amos 5:27).
3. Divine Sovereignty: Assyria’s might highlights God’s control of history, preparing readers to trust His deliverance when He later rescues Judah from Sennacherib.

Lessons for Ministry and Faith

• Worldly alliances cannot secure God’s people apart from covenant faithfulness (2 Kings 17:4).
• National sin bears corporate consequences; yet God preserves a remnant, as seen in Judah’s survival.
• Historical verification of Scripture bolsters confidence in biblical authority and encourages faithful proclamation of its warnings and promises.

Related Topics for Further Study

Assyrian deportation policy (2 Kings 17:24)

Sargon II’s claims and Isaiah’s witness (Isaiah 20:1)

Hezekiah’s reform in contrast to Israel’s apostasy (2 Kings 18:3–6)

שַׁלְמַנְאֶ֖סֶר שַׁלְמַנְאֶ֧סֶר שלמנאסר šal·man·’e·ser šalman’eser shalmanEserInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts