Shishak's Campaign and Egyptian Sources/0

Shishak's Campaign and Egyptian Sources

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Biblical Sources

Shishak, king of Egypt, is mentioned on two occasions in Tanakh, once in reference to Yerovam, and once in connection to his invasion of Yehuda.

• Granting refuge to Yerovam – Shishak is first mentioned in Melakhim I 14, in the context of Yerovam's rebellion against Shelomo. After Yerovam "raised his hand" against Shelomo in rebellion, Shelomo sought to kill him. Yerovam fled to Egypt, where he found refuge by the king, Shishak. The verses do not share any other information regarding any later relationship between the Northern kingdom and Egypt, nor do they connect this event in any way to Shishak's later invasion of Yehuda.

• The Invasion – Shishak's invasion of Yehuda is mentioned twice in Tanakh, in Melakhim I 14 and in a slightly expanded version in Divrei HaYamim II 12. According to these sources, in the fifth year of Rechovam's reign, Shishak, King of Egpyt attacked Yehuda, captured its fortified cities, and approached Yerushalayim. Rechovam paid a tribute from the treasures of the Mikdash and palace, saving the city from attack. Neither source speaks of the earthly reasons for the invasion, but Divrei haYamim provides the theological background to both the attack and the salvation.¹ The nation sinned against Hashem, who therefore abandoned them to Shishak. When the people submitted and repented, His anger subsided and He ensured that Yerushalayim was saved.

Extra-Biblical Sources

¹ Melakhim is not explicit, but hints to the same idea by juxtaposing the verses detailing the people's worship of idolatry with those describing the attack.