Individual

Biblical mention

Date

Archaeological -

Historical evidence

Agrippa I

or

Herod Agrippa

Acts 12:1 - called Herod the King; grandson of Herod the Great; King of Judea; Persecuted Christians in Jerusalem

r. A.D. 41-44

2. Contemporary Roman records

3. Coins with inscription "The Great King Agrippa, Friend of the Caesar"

4. Basalt fragment of a Nabatean inscription refers to "Agrippa, the King" (Could be either I or II)

Agrippa II

Acts 25:13-26:32 - Son of Agrippa I; ruler of Northern areas of Palestine; Paul appeared before him before going to Rome; Married to Bernice

r. A.D. 56-95

2. Contemporary Roman records

3. Coins with likeness & inscription "King Agrippa"

4. Basalt fragment (see Agrippa I above)

5. Monumental stone inscription found in Beirut mention's Herod Agrippa and Bernice.

Ahab

I Kings 16:28 - 8th King of Israel; son of Omri; wicked & idolatrous; married to Jezebel

r. 874-853 B.C.

2. Mesha Stela (Moabite Stone) refers to him as Omri's son but does not call him by name

Ahasuerus

Esther 1:1 - Ahasuerus is Greek for Xerxes; King in Esther story.

r. 486-465 B.C.

1. Audience Hall at Persepolis has relief of Xerxes with father, Darius

2. Palace at Persepolis portrays Xerxes on door.

3. Clay tablet archives chronicle his life.

4. Seals found in Egypt are inscribed "Xerxes, the great king."

5. Elephantine papyri dated by his reign.

6. Herodotus histories

Ahaz

2 Kings 16:2 - 12th King of Judah; son of Jotham; idolatrous; listed in Jesus' genealogy (Mt 1:9)

r. 735-715 B.C.

2. Seal with inscription Abelonging to Usna, "Minister of Ahaz"

3. Bulla with impression "Ahaz (son of) Jotham King of Judah"

Ananias

Acts 23:2 - Jewish High Priest who opposed Paul

ca. A.D. 58

Josephus

Annas

Luke 3:2 - Jewish High Priest

ca. A.D. 26

Josephus

Antipas

Luke 3:1 - Called Herod the Tetrarch in Bible

r. 4 B.C. - A.D. 39

1. Josephus

2. Coins carry inscription "Herod the Tetrarch"

3. Inscription on Cos & Delos name "Herod the Tetrarch"

Archelaus

Mat 2:22 - Also called Herod Archelaus; son of Herod the great; ruler of Judea & Samaria during Jesus' childhood.

r. 4 B.C. - A.D. 6

1. Contemporary Histories - Dio Cassius

2. Josephus

3. Coins that have inscription "Ethrarch" or "Herod" or "Ethrarch Herod"

Aretas IV

2 Cor. 11:32-33 - King at Damascus who arrested Paul

r. 9 B.C. - A.D. 40

1. Josephus

2. 20 inscriptions use his name & reign for dating.

3. Inscription at Khirbet et Tannur dates setting up of alter to his 2nd year.

4. Inscription at Madeba calls him "he who loves his people."

5. Coins with his likeness

Artaxerxes I, Longimanus

Ezra 4:7 - King of Persia; allowed Jews to return to Israel

r. ca. 465-423 B.C.

1. Tomb of Artaxerxes known near Persepolis

2. Elephantine papyri use dates based on his reign.

3. Herodutus

Ashurbanipal

Ezra 4:10 (NIV) KJV calls his Osapper - Last Assyrian King

r. 668-626 B.C.

1. Library of cuneiform tablets found at Kuyunjik

2. Ruins of buildings with extensive sculptures at Ninevah

3. Annals of Ashurbanipal - clay prism

Augustus

Luke 2:2 - Roman emperor during birth of Jesus; full name Gaius Octavius

r. ca. 27 B.C. - A.D. 14

1. Full biography found in long Greek & Latin inscription in Ankara, Turkey

2. Inscription celebrating his birthday

3. Coins

4. Statuary

5. Contemporary histories

Balaam

Num. 22:5 - The son of Beor; called by Balak, King of Moab, to curse Israel

ca. 1400 B.C.

An inscription found in 1967 at a temple at Deir >Alla (Biblical Succoth) contains an Aramic inscription that contains messages of doom and curses from Balaam, son of Beor. He is also called a "seer of the gods." Inscription dated to 700 B.C.

Baalis

Jer. 40:14 - King of the Ammonites

ca. 586 B.C.

A seal impression found in 1984 at Tel el-Umeiri by the Andrews University excavation team.

Baruch

Jer. 32:12 - Scribe of Jeremiah the prophet; son of Neriah

ca. 605 B.C.

1. Bulla bought in Jerusalem antiquities market in 1975

2. Bulla in the collection of Shlomo Moussaieff. This bulla actually shows a fingerprint on the back.

Daniel 5 - King of Babylon

ca. 536 B.C.

Cuneiform tablet - Yale Babylonian collection

1 Kings 15:18 - Son of Tabrimmon, Son of Hezion, King of Syria (Aram)

r. ca. 900-860 B.C.

1. Stone monument of treaty with King Pygmalion of Tyre.

2. Stele dedicated to god, Baal Melqart found at Aleppo bears an Aramaic inscription that mentions Barhadad, son of Tabrimmon, son of Hezion, King of Aram.

Ben Hadad II (May be same person as Ben Hadad I)

1 Kings 20:1 - King of Syrian (Aram)

r ca. 860-843 B.C.

Called Hadadezer in Assyrian records from 853 B.C. that records the battle of Qarqar with Shalmaneser III.

Ben Hadad III

2 Kings 13:24-25 - King of Syria (Aram); Son of Hazael

r. ca. 798-722 B.C.

Zakir King of Hamuth relates that Barhadad, the son of Hazael, fought against him.

Bernice

Acts 25:13 - Oldest daughter of Herod Agrippa I; accompanied brother (lover) Agrippa II when Paul appeared before him.

ca. A.D. 50

1. Roman records including Suetonius and Dio Cassius

2. Josephus

3. Monumental stone inscription found in Beirut mentions King Agrippa and Bernice.

Caiaphas

Mt. 26:3 - High priest during time of Jesus

A.D. 33

1. Josephus tells us his name was Joseph Caiaphas

2. Ossuary found in Jerusalem in 1990 has Hebrew inscription that reads "Joseph, son of Caiaphas."

Claudius

Acts 11:28; 18:2 - Roman Emperor; ordered Jews to leave Rome

r. A.D. 51-54

1. Roman historical records by Suetonias, Orosius, Tacitus and Dio Cassius

2. Coins with his name

3. Statuary

Cyrus II or Cyrus the Great

2 Chr. 36:22 - Persian King who founded empire; defeated Babylonians; allowed Jew to go home from captivity.

r. ca. 550-529 B.C.

1. Inscription from Pasargadae saying, "I am Cyrus..."

2. Nabonidus Chronicle - cuneiform inscription

3. Cyrus cylinder

4. Historical records by Herodotus and Aeschylus

5. Tomb at Pasargadue in SW Iran

Darius I Hystaspes or Darius the Great

Ezra 4:5 - King of Persia

r. 522-486 B.C.

1. Behistun Rock inscription celebrating his victories over contenders to the throne

2. Copy of Behistun inscription found on papyrus at Elephantine

3. Palace & Audience Hall at Persepolis with numerous reliefs and inscriptions portraying Darius

4. Numerous cuneiform tablets

5. Other papyri found at Elephantine

Darius the Persian

Neh. 12:22 - King of Persia, Successor of Artaxerxes I

ca. 424-404 B.C.

"The passover Papyrus" found at Elephantine

David

1 Sam 16:13; 2 Sam 5:3-4 - Second King of United Israel; Killed Goliath

r. 1011-971 B.C.

Stone inscription found at Tel Dan by Avraham Biran in 1993 which speaks of "the King of Israel" which was of "the house of David."

Drusilla

Acts 24:24 - Wife of Felix; Paul appeared before them.

ca. A.D. 60

1. Josephus

2. Suetonius history

Eliakim

2 Kings 18:18 - Steward (palace administration) of King Jehoiachin; son of Hilkiah

ca. 598 B.C.

Seal impression on jar handles found at Tell Beit Mirsim reading ABelonging to Eliakim, steward of Yaukin (Jehoiachin).

Elishama

Jer. 36:12 - Scribe

ca. 598 B.C.

Seal impression on bulla from Jerusalem hoard that reads "Elishama, servant of the King."

Erastus

Romans 16:13 - City treasurer of Corinth; Convert of Paul

ca. A.D. 50

Latin inscription found in Corinth says that Erastus laid "this pavement at his own expense" in return for receiving his position in the government.

Esarhaddon

2 Kings 19:37 - King of Assyria; Son of Sennacherib; Settled foreigners in Samaria

r. 681-669 B.C.

1. Stele depicting victory over Egypt & Tyre

2. Commemorative stone tablet recounting the rebuilding of Babylon

3. Cuneiform clay prism contains annuals of Esarhadden

4. Bronze plague in Louvre depicting Esarhadden and mother Nagia

5. Many other cuneiform tablets

Evil - Merodach

2 Kings 25:27-30 - King of Babylon; son of Nebuchadnezzar; also called Amel-Marduk

r. 562-560 B.C.

1. Cuneiform tablet about the family of Nabonidus

2. Cuneiform tablet listing kings

Felix

Acts 23:24 - Roman procurator (governor) of Judea under Claudius; Paul appeared before him; Full name Marcus Antonius Felix

r. ca. A.D. 52-60

1. Tacitus, Suetonius histories

2. Josephus

3. Known to have struck at least two coins but they do not bear his name.

Festus

Acts 24:27 - Roman procurator (governor) of Judea under Nero, succeeded Felix; full name Porcius Festus; Paul appeared before him and appealed to Caesar

r. A.D. 60-62

1. Josephus history

2. Struck at least one coin but it bears the name, of Nero, not Festus

Gallio

Acts 18:12 - Proconsul of Achaia; Paul appeared before him while in Corinth; Full name Junius Gallio Annaeus; forced to commit suicide

ca. A.D. 51-52

1. Inscription at Delphi found in 1905 by E. Bourguet in which the emperor Claudius calls Gallio his "friend" and proconsul of Achaia.

2. Senaca, Pliny, Dio Cassius and Suetonius.

Gamaliel

Acts 5:34 - Member of Jewish Sanhedrin; Teacher of Paul

ca. A.D. 27

1. Josephus

2. Mishna calls him Gamaliel the Elder

Gedaliah

2 Kings 25:22 - Governor of Judah appointed by Nebuchadnezzar; murdered by Jewish royal relatives

ca. 586 B.C.

Seal impression (bulla) found at Lachish reads "Belonging to Gedaliah, who is over the house" (Administrator of palace)

Gemariah

Jer. 29:3 - Emissary from Zedekiah to Nebuchadnezzar; Son of Hilkiah

ca. 593 B.C.

Lachish Ostracon I mentions a "Gemariah son of Hissilyahn."

Greshem the Arab

Nehemiah 2:19 - Opposed Nehemiah and building of Jerusalem Temple

ca. 450 B.C.

1. Silver vessel from shrine at Tell >el - Maskhuta with Aramaic inscription stating that it was presented by Cain, son of Geshem, King of Qedar.

2. Lihyanite inscription names Geshem along with the Persian governor of Dedan.

Hazael

1 Kings 19:15 - King of Aram (Syria); succeeded (murdered) Ben-Hadad II

r. 842-805 B.C.

1. Ivory inlay fragment found at Arslan Tash bears the name Hazael

2. Cuneiform inscriptions of Shalmaneser III military campaigns

3. Inscription on statue mentions Barhadad, son of Hazael

Herod the Great

Mt. 2:1 - King of Judea

r. 37-4 B.C.

1. Coins which have inscription Herod the King"

2. Great builder of many monuments

3. Josephus

4. Inscription on column from Si^ca honored Herod

5. Pot sherds found at Masada - one says "Herod, King of the Jews"

Luke 3:1 - Son of Herod the Great; ruler of Galilee & Persia during Jesus' ministry; Rebuked by John the Baptist for marrying Herodias and had him killed

r. 4 B.C. - A.D. 39

1. Coins simply bear name "Herod" or "Herod the tetrarch"

2. Josephus

Hezekiah

Kings 18:2 - 13th King of Judah; dug tunnel for water from Gihon Spring

r. ca. 715-686 B.C.

1. Clay bulla in Israel Museum bears inscription, "Jehozara,...servant of Hezekiah."

2. Sennacherib records shutting Hezekiah up like a bird in Jerusalem and twice more mentions him elsewhere.

Hezion

1 Kings 15:18 - Father of Tabrimmon, father of Barhadad

ca. 900 B.C.

Stele dedicated to god Baal Melqart found at Aleppo bears an Aramaic inscription that mentions Barhadad, son of Tabrimmon, son of Hezion

Hilkiah

2 Kings 22:8 - high priest during Josiah=s reign who found scroll of Torah.

ca. 639 B.C.

Ring with seal reads "belonging to Hanan, son of Hilkiah, the priest."

Hophra

Jer. 44:30 - Pharaoh of Egypt; 4th King of 26th Dynasty; also called Wahibpre or Apries

r. 588-564 B.C.

1. Stele records defeat of Apries by Amasis (in Cairo Museum)

2. Palace found at Memphis

3. Vase has a painting of Apries head and name in hieroglyphics

4. Stele depicts him making offering to gods.

Hoshea

2 Kings 17:1 - 20th (and last) King of Israel

r. ca. 732-722 B.C.

1. Seal purchased at Sotheby=s reads "Belonging to Abdi, servant of Hoshea"

2. Tiglath-Pilser III records helping Hoshea come to throne.

Israel (Nation)

Exodus 5:1 - The Old Testament name for the Jewish Nation

1220 B.C.

The "Israel stele" of Merneotah is the earliest mention by the nation of Israel in a secular source.

Herodias

Mt. 14:3 - Wife of Herod Antipus (after being married to his brother); Mother of Salome who had John the Baptist beheaded

ca. A.D. 27

Josephus

Jaazaniah

2 Kings 25:23 - Army officer under Gedaliah

ca. 605 B.C.

Seal found at Mizpah in 1932 bears inscription "Belonging to Jaazaniah, servant of the King."

James

Mark 6:3 - Brother of Jesus

ca. A.D. 30

Josephus recounts that he was stoned.

Jehoahaz

2 Kings 23:31 - 17th King of Judah; son of Josiah

r. ca. 609 B.C.

Seal reading "Belonging to Jehoahaz, the son of the King."

Jehoiachin

2 Kings 24:6 - also called Coniah; 19th ruler of Judah

r. ca. 597 B.C.

1. 4 pottery handles stamped with a seal that reads "Belonging to Eliakim, steward of Jehoiachin."

2. Cuneiform tablets found in Babylon record rations given to "Jehoiachin, King of Judah."

Jehohanan

Ezra 10:6 - Son of Eliashib, the high priest

ca. 407 B.C.

1. Elephantine papyrus to Biguai, governor of Judah, mentions Johanan, the high priest of Jerusalem.

Jehu

1 Kings 19:16 - 11th King of Israel

r. ca. 841-814 B.C.

1. Black obelisk of Shalmaneser III in British Museum depicts Jehu bowing and tells of the "tribute of Jehu, son of Omri."

2. Cuneiform tablet of Shalmaneser III, also records receiving tribute from "Jehu."

Jerahmeel

Jeremiah 36:26 - "Son" of the King Jehoiahim (possibly an official) sent to arrest Jeremiah and Baruch

ca. 605 B.C.

Seal with inscription "Belonging to Jerahmeel, the son of the King."

Jeroboam II

2 Kings 13:13 - 14th King of Israel; son of Jehoash

r. ca. 793-753 B.C.

Seal of Jasper found at Megiddo has a roaring lion and the inscription ABelonging to Shema, servant of Jeroboam.@

Jesus

Mt. 1:1 - the Christ, the Son of God

d. A.D. 31

Roman Historians - Tacitus, Josephus, Lucian, Suetonius, Pliny the Younger

Jezebel

1 Kings 16:31 - Wife of Ahab; wicked Baal worshiping queen

r. ca. 874-853 B.C.

Fine seal in the Israel Museum has the name AJezebel.@

Jehoash (Joash)

2 Kings 13:10 - 13th King of Israel; son of Jehoahuz

r. ca. 801-786 B.C.

On a stele found at Tell al-Riman in 1967, Assyrian King Adad-Nirari III relates how he received tribute from AJehoash the Samarian.@

John the Baptist

Mt. 3:1 - Prophet pointing to Jesus

ca. A.D. 27

Josephus tells of his death.

Jotham

2 Kings 15:32 - 11th King of Judah

r. ca. 750-731 B.C.

1. Seal, signet ring found at Ezion Geber (Elath) inscription - ABelonging to Jotham@ also ram in seal - in Smithsonian Institution.

2. Bulla in collection of Shlomo Moussaieff which reads AAhaz (son of) Jotham, King of Judah.@

Judas the Galilean

Acts 5:37 - Gamaliel names him as having led a failed revolt.

ca. 4 B.C.

Josephus

Lysanias

Luke 3:1 - Tetrarch of Abilene

A.D. 27

1. Josephus

2. Inscription for dedication of temple at Abila mentions ALysanias the Tetrarch.@

Manasseh

2 Kings 20:21 - 14th King of Judah

r. ca. 697-642 B.C.

1. Seal reading ABelonging to Manassah, the son of the King@ may be from time when he was crown prince.

2. Esarhaddon lists AManassah, King of Judah@ on Prism B which lists those who contributed material to his new palace.

3. Ashurbanipal, on Cylinder C, lists AManassah, King of Judah@ as being forced to accompany him on his Egyptian campaign.

Menahem

2 Kings 15:17 - 17th King of Israel

r. ca. 752-742 B.C.

Tiglath-Pileser relates in a cuneiform text found at Calah that he received tribute from AMenahem of Samaria.@

Merodach-Baladar

2 Kings 20:12 - King of Babylon

r. ca. 721-709 B.C.

1. Stele for a land grant depicts Merodach-Baladar and has text about him.

2. Babylonian chronicle

3. King List A

4. Numerous cuneiform inscriptions of Tiglath-Pileser III, Sargon II, and Sennacherib.

5. Cuneiform cylinder written by Merodach-Baladar boasting of driving out Assyrians.

Mesha

2 Kings 3:4 - King of Moab

ca. 853 B.C.

On Moabite stone, Mesha complains about having been oppressed by Omri, King of Israel and boasts of driving Israel out.

Mordecai

Est. 2:5 - Gate official in reign of Ahasuerus at Sousa

ca. 486 B.C.

Undated tablet found at Borsippa speaks of a Mordecai who served in Sousa during Xerxes reign.

Nebuchadnezzar

2 Kings 24:1; Daniel 1:1 - Babylonian King; conquered Judah; God gave prophecies

r. 605-562 B.C.

1. Many cuneiform inscriptions - Babylonian Chronicle; building dedications.

2. Clay bricks of Babylon contain his name

3. Boundary stone from Sippar records land grant by Nebuchadnezzar

4. Business texts dated by Nebuchadnezzar=s reign.

Neco (Necho)

2 Kings 23:29 - Pharaoh of Egypt; 26th dynasty; fought and killed Josiah

r. ca. 610-595 B.C.

1. Sculpture in University Museum

2. Ushabti

3. Bowl found at Persepolis bears name and titles.

4. Stele at Sidon with name in hieroglyphics.

Nergalsharezer

Jer. 39:3 - Called a prince in Babylon; son-in-law of Nebuchadnezzar; ruled Babylon after Evil-Merodach.

Ca. 559-556 B.C.

1. Cuneiform tablets of contracts.

2. Tablets tell that he rebuilt temples.

3. Cuneiform text tells of military campaign into Cilicia.

Nero

Acts 25:8 - Not called by Nero in Bible, but by ACaesar.@ Caesar whom Paul appealed to.

A.D. 54-68

1. Coins bear his name and likeness.

2. Statues

3. Contemporary historians

Omri

1 Kings 16:16 - 6th King of Israel

r. ca. 885-874 B.C.

1. Mesha stele (Moabite stone) tells that AOmri, King of Israel@ subjugated Moab.

2. Assyrian records refer to Israel as AOmri-land@ or Athe house of Omri.@

3. Black obelisk refers to AJehu, son of Omri.@

Paul the Apostle

Acts 13:9

ca. A.D. 33

Portion of Marble inscription found on Cyprus that could be reconstructed APaul Apostle@

Pekah

2 Kings 15:27 - 19th King of Israel

r. ca. 740-732 B.C.

1. Tiglath-Pileser III records in an annalistic text that he overturned Pekah.

2. Pottery jar at Hazor from the time of Pekah is inscribed with name APekah.@

Philip (Herod)

Mark 6:17 - 1st husband of Herodias

ca. A.D. 25

Josephus tells about him and calls him Herod.

Philip the Tetrarch

Luke 3:1 - Tetrarch of part of Palestine; son of Herod the Great and Cleopatra of Jerusalem; married Salome

r. 4 B.C. - A.D. 34

1. Josephus

2. Coins with inscription APhilip the Tetrarch.@

3. Nabatean text mentions erection of a statue Ain the year 33 of our Lord Philip.@

Pontius Pilate

Luke 3:1 - Governor of Judea; allowed crucifixion of Jesus

r. ca. A.D. 26-36

1. Josephus, Tacitus, Philo

2. Latin inscription found in 1961 at Theater in Caesarea tells us that APontius Pilate, the prefect of Judea@ built a temple for Tiberius.

3. Coins that are known to be Pilate=s do not bear his name.

Publius

Acts 28:7 - Chief man of Malta

c.a. A.D. 50

Inscriptions on Malta refer to the 1st man of the island and others refer to Publius.

Pul (Tiglath-Pileser III)

2 Kings 15:19 - Assyrian King; called Pul in Bible; his records mention several Jewish kings.

r. ca. 745-727 B.C.

1. Palace found at Ninevah.

2. Another palace found with reliefs of Tiglath-Pileser

3. Numerous cuneiform tablets including 2 King lists and the annals of Tiglath-Pileser.

Quirinius

Luke 2:2 - Governor of Syria at time of Jesus=s birth

r. ca. 12 B.C. - 21 A.D.

1. Inscription found in Antioch of Pisidia names Quirinius as legatus.

2. Contemporary histories - Tacitus

3. Josephus

Rezin

2 Kings 15:37 - King of Aram (Syria); killed by Tiglath-Pileser III

d. 732 B.C.

1. Cuneiform tablet of Tiglath-Pileser III lists tribute received from Rezin

2. Tablet tells of fall of Damascus and names Rezin.

Sanballat

Neh. 2:10 - governor of Samaria who opposed Nehemiah=s rebuilding projects

ca. 450 B.C.

1. Aramaic papyrus from Elephantine refers to Athe sons of Sanballat, governor of Samaria.@

2. Scrolls found in Waid Daliyeh refer twice to a Ason of Sanballat@ ... once in a sealing and once in an Aramaic test.

Sargon II

Isa. 20:1 - King of Assyria; brother of Shalmaneser V

r. 722-705 B.C.

1. Palace found at Khorsabad with multiple carvings of Sargon in relief.

2. Extensive cuneiform texts tell about his exploits and reign (which include the annals & Sargon=s prism).

3. Fragment of stele found at Ashdod and erected after Sargon=s victory.

Sennacherib

2 Kings 18:13 - Assyrian King; son of Sargon II

r. ca. 705-681 B.C.

1. Prism of Sennacherib records that he besieged Jerusalem and made Hezekiah a prisoner in Jerusalem, his royal residence - Alike a bird in a cage.@

2. Palace at Ninevah records his siege of Lachish with portraits and name of Sennacherib

3. Extensive cuneiform texts.

Seriah

Jeremiah 51:59 - Sent by Jeremiah to Babylon with Zesekiam

ca. 610 B.C.

Personal seal reading ABelonging to Seriah, son of Neriah.@

Sergius Paulus

Acts 13:7 - Roman proconsul (governor) of Cyprus; Converted by Paul on 1st missionary journey

ca. A.D. 46

Latin inscription lists name of L. Sergius Paulus as an official of the Tiber.

Shalmaneser V

2 Kings 17:3 - King of Assyria; son of Tiglath-Pileser

r. 727-722 B.C.

1. Babylonian Chronicle cites his activities.

2. Name found on boundary stone to date an event to his third year.

3. Bronze weight has inscription which contains his name.

4. Babylonian King list records him.

Sharezer

2 Kings 19:37 - Son of Sennacherib; helped kill his father.

ca. 681 B.C.

Cuneiform tablet refers to Nabusharuzur as an officer in right time period.

Shebna

2 Kings 18:18 - Court official of Hezekiah

ca. 700 B.C.

Partial tomb inscription found in Silvan has been reconstructed by Avigad to contain part of Shebna=s name.

Shishak

1 Kings 11:40 - Pharaoh of Egypt; 22nd Dynasty; also called Sheshonq I; attacked Judah and Israel

r. 945-924 B.C.

1. Massive reliefs on temple of Amun at Karnak.

2. Mummy case in Cairo Museum.

3. Victory stele at Megiddo.

4. Gold bracelet found in tomb of grandson is inscribed with Shishak=s name.

5. Chair of a seated statue found at Byblos bears Shishak=s name.

Tabrimmon

1 Kings 15:18 - Father of Ben Hadad

ca. 900 B.C.

Stele dedicated to god Baal Melgart found at Aleppo bears an Aramaic inscription that mentions Ben Hadad as son Tabrimmon, King of Damascus.

Tattenai

Ezra 5:3 - Governor of Samaria during reign of Darius the Great who opposed building of Jerusalem.

ca. 450 B.C.

Cuneiform tablet refers to a slave of Tatutanni.

Theudas

Acts 5:36 - Led a failed revolt referred to by Gamaliel.

ca. 6 B.C. or A.D. 34

Josephus

Tiberius

Luke 3:1 - Roman Caesar during Jesus= ministry

r. A.D. 14-37

1. Josephus

2. Contemporary Roman historians.

3. Numerous statues.

4. Coins with inscription and portrait.

5. Inscription from Caesarea when Pontius Pilate dedicated a temple to Tiberius.

Tirhakah or Taharqa

2 Kings 19:9: Egyptian King; also known as Taharqa

r. 690-604 B.C.

1. Inscribed stele tells of Taharka=s rise to the throne.

2. Funerary stele of an Apis bull dated to 26th year of Taharqa.

3. Numerous stele and building inscriptions.

4. Art objects with his name.

5. Tomb found, but empty.

6. Numerous cuneiform texts of Assyrian Kings Esarhaddon and Ashurpanipal - Senjirli stele actually has picture of Taharqa.

Tobiah

Neh. 2:19 - Tobiah the Ammonite; tried to prevent the rebuilding of Jerusalem by Nehemiah.

ca. 450 B.C.

1. Family tomb from 6th century B.C. that bears name Tobiah.

2. Name found in the Zenon papyri.

Uzziah

2 Kings 15:13 - also called Azariah; 10th King of Judah; leper when he died.

r. 790-739 B.C.

Aramaic inscription on a stone plaque - 13" x 14" - reads "Hither were brought the bones of Uzziah, King of Judah." Plaque found in tomb on Mt. of Olives but bones were not found.