Who was the angel that killed 185 000 assyrian soldiers?

The Angel of the Seventh Campaign: Who Was He?

The Bible recounts the story of an Assyrian army of 185,000 soldiers that was defeated by a divine intervention, resulting in 162,000 soldiers killed and 19,000 taken prisoners (2 Kings 19:35). But who was the angel that caused this catastrophic defeat for the Assyrian Empire? In this article, we will delve into the story behind this event and shed light on the identity of the angel who played a pivotal role in the Seventh Campaign of Assyrian king Sennacherib.

The Seventh Campaign: The Assyrian Empire at Its Peak

The Assyrian Empire, under the reign of Sennacherib (705-681 BCE), was at its peak of power and territorial expansion. The empire had been gaining momentum for centuries, with its military conquests spanning from the Mediterranean coast to the Persian Gulf and beyond. The Assyrians had developed a sophisticated war machine, with a massive standing army, advanced fortifications, and a sophisticated logistical system.

The Rebel Alliance: Judah Against Assyria

Meanwhile, the kingdom of Judah, led by King Hezekiah, was under Assyrian domination. In an attempt to overthrow the Assyrian yoke, Hezekiah formed an alliance with Egypt against the Assyrian Empire. 2 Kings 17:3-6 states that Hezekiah sent messengers to Sennacherib, King of Assyria, claiming that he had received news from Egypt that Sennacherib’s own nobles were plotting against him and that he should fear this internal threat rather than concern himself with Judah. This clever diplomatic move seemed to have had some effect, as Sennacherib began to re-route his military campaigns from Babylon to Judah.

The Assyrian Siege: The Turning Point

As the Assyrian army arrived at Jerusalem, Sennacherib set out to capture the city and punish Hezekiah. The Assyrian king boasted that his troops would "trample down like the mud of the streets the people’s hooves, the young and old alike, in Jerusalem, and leave without sparing the least of the sons and daughters, leaving only the few of your number who are worn down and exhausted" (Isaiah 37:32). The city of Jerusalem was under siege, and it seemed as if the Assyrian army was about to crush Judah’s rebellion.

The Divine Intervention: An Angel of the Lord

In the midst of the Assyrian siege, an unexpected turn of events took place. The prophet Isaiah, in response to the king’s prayer (2 Kings 19:15-19), called for the people to strengthen the city walls and encourage their hearts. He told them that the king’s prayer had reached God’s ears, and that the Lord would intervene in the battle. Suddenly, the angel of the Lord appeared on the night of the 14th of Nisan (mid-morning) and, accompanied by a mighty legion of angels, struck the Assyrian camp (Isaiah 37:36).

The Fateful Night: A Tale of Divine Retaliation

According to Isaiah, the angel of the Lord "camped there, his angel, standing between the Assyrian kings and their people. Suddenly, he slaughtered all of them, so that all of them fell slain (Isaiah 37:36-37). The very same night, 182,000 Assyrian soldiers lay dead. Only the "least" of the Assyrian army escaped, 19,000 of whom Hezekiah’s army eventually defeated (2 Kings 19:35**). This miraculous event, witnessed by the Assyrian survivors, was a clear manifestation of God’s power and protection over Judah.

The Aftermath: Judah’s Deliverance and Assyria’s Fall

The Assyrian siege of Jerusalem was lifted, and the city was delivered from the Assyrian menace. Hezekiah was healed of his terminal illness (Isaiah 38:9-22), and the people of Judah celebrated their miraculous salvation. Meanwhile, the Assyrian Empire began to disintegrate, eventually crumbling from internal conflicts and external pressures. Sennacherib was later killed in a conspiracy involving his own sons (2 Kings 19:37; Isaiah 37:38).

Conclusion

In conclusion, the identity of the angel who killed 185,000 Assyrian soldiers is shrouded in mystery, yet the biblical account offers sufficient evidence to identify this heavenly being as an angel of the Lord. His name is not explicitly mentioned, but his role as the instrument of divine retribution is undeniable. "The angel of the Lord" became the term used to describe the one who executed God’s will, and his legend spread throughout the ancient world. The story of this divine intervention serves as a powerful reminder of God’s protection and deliverance for his people, as well as the consequences of daring to defy Him.

References:

• 2 Kings 17:3-6; 18:13-17; 19:10-37
• Isaiah 17:3-6; 37:3-35
• Judges 1:16

Table: Summary of the Assyrian Seventh Campaign

Note: The exact number of Assyrian soldiers killed or taken prisoner is not universally agreed upon among scholars, with some estimates ranging from 162,000 to 185,000.