Since When and for How Long Has the “Clan of Azekah” Been Part of the Kingdom of Judah?

Oded Lipschits (Tel Aviv)

In this paper I will claim that the kingdom of Judah ruled the area of the Ellah Valley for only two short periods in the eighth and in the late seventh / early sixth centuries BCE, a period of about 140 to 150 years in total, during which the “clan of Azekah” became attached to and came under the rule of the House of David. In light of this it is interesting to examine the affiliation and connection of this area to the province of Yehud as against the province of Idumea that developed south of Azekah during the Persian and Hellenistic periods.

IOSOT Program