What has already been found about King Hezekiah?

Who was King Hezekiah?

King Hezekiah ruled Judah from 715 to 686 B.C., being recognized for his faithfulness to the God of Israel, his religious reforms, and his courage in facing the powerful Assyrian empire.
According to biblical accounts, he restored the Temple, destroyed pagan altars, and militarily strengthened Jerusalem.

The Siloam Inscription: Hezekiah's Great Hydraulic Work

One of the most important discoveries related to his reign is the famous Siloam Inscription, found inside the tunnel that connects the Gihon Spring to the Siloam Pool.

What the discovery reveals:

• The text describes the meeting of two teams of excavators who dug from opposite ends.

• Dates and writing style confirm that the work was constructed during Hezekiah's reign.

• The engineering demonstrates great technical advancement for its time.

This tunnel also confirms the account of 2 Chronicles 32:30, which mentions the diversion of water into the city as a defensive strategy against the Assyrians.

The Royal Seal of Hezekiah (Bulla of Hezekiah)

In excavations conducted near the Temple Mount, archaeologists discovered an authentic royal seal bearing the name of King Hezekiah.

Description of the bulla:

• Inscription in paleo-Hebrew: “Belonging to Hezekiah, son of Ahaz, king of Judah”.

• Symbols: a winged sun and two animals, indicating divine protection and royal authority.

• Dating: late 8th century B.C.

The bulla is one of the strongest direct archaeological evidences of the existence of King Hezekiah.

Assyrian Records: The Account of Sennacherib

In addition to discoveries in Israel, Assyrian inscriptions also mention Hezekiah. The most famous is the Prism of Sennacherib, currently preserved in museums in London and Chicago.

It recounts the siege of Jerusalem and highlights:

• Hezekiah is mentioned by name.

• Sennacherib claims that he "shut him up like a bird in a cage."

• Confirms the military campaign described in 2 Kings 18–19.

Although the prism does not mention the Assyrian defeat (as occurs in the biblical account), it confirms that the king of Judah existed and that the conflict indeed took place.

Fortifications and Expansion of the Walls of Jerusalem

Excavations have revealed sections of the so-called Broad Walls, attributed to the period of Hezekiah.

Why this matters:

• Jerusalem needed to be rapidly reinforced before the Assyrian attack.

• Archaeological layers show typical destruction from Sennacherib's campaign.

• The walls confirm a large urban defense project — aligned with the account of 2 Chronicles 32:5.

Evidence of the Siege and Destruction of Judah's Cities

Although Jerusalem was spared, several fortified cities of Judah were destroyed by the Assyrians — and these ruins have already been found.

In Lachish, for example:

• Archaeologists discovered Assyrian ramps, arrowheads, burn remains, and inscriptions.

• Assyrian murals recording the victory were found in Sennacherib's palace in Nineveh.

This evidence reinforces the biblical narrative of the Assyrian invasion and the despair that Judah faced.

The Legacy of Hezekiah Confirmed by Archaeology

By bringing together the tunnel, the inscription, the royal seal, the Assyrian accounts, and the fortifications, archaeology provides a robust picture of the life and reign of Hezekiah.

The discoveries show that:

• He truly promoted significant reforms.

• He led large-scale public works.

• He indeed faced the Assyrian siege.

• His kingdom was organized, with solid administration and military structure.

What was once only biblical narrative is now supported by material remains scattered throughout Jerusalem and museums around the world.

The discoveries about Hezekiah represent one of the most impressive sets of historical evidence related to a biblical character. They confirm not only his existence but also specific details of his reign and his struggle for the survival of the kingdom of Judah.

This type of content connects the Bible to real history and demonstrates how rich the archaeology of the Middle East is — an essential theme for anyone wishing to deepen their understanding of Scripture.