SHISHAK

(Shiʹshak).

An Egyptian king, known as Sheshonk (I) from Egyptian records. Shishak, regarded as the founder of the “Libyan dynasty,” is generally credited with a rule of about twenty-one years. His son Osorkon (I) succeeded him to the throne.

When Jeroboam fled to Egypt to escape the wrath of King Solomon, Shishak ruled there. (1 Ki. 11:40) Some years later, in the fifth year of Solomon’s successor Rehoboam (993/992 B.C.E.), Shishak invaded Judah with a mighty force of chariots and horsemen. He captured fortified cities in Judah and then came to Jerusalem. But Jehovah did not allow him to bring Jerusalem to ruin, for Rehoboam and the princes of Judah humbled themselves upon receiving a message from the prophet Shemaiah. Shishak, however, did strip the city of its treasures.—2 Chron. 12:1-12.

There is archaeological evidence concerning Shishak’s invading the Palestinian area. A fragment of a stele found at Megiddo mentions Sheshonk (Shishak), suggesting that the stele was erected there to commemorate his victory. Also, a relief on a temple wall at Karnak (the N part of the ancient Egyptian city of Thebes) lists over 150 cities or villages that Shishak conquered. A considerable number of the places that can be identified with Biblical sites were located in the territory of the ten-tribe kingdom. This would indicate that the purpose of Shishak’s campaign was, not to assist the ten-tribe kingdom, but to extend Egypt’s power and influence.

[Picture on page 1496]

Relief on temple wall in Karnak showing list of Palestinian and Syrian towns captured by Sheshonk I (Shishak), here depicted as being led captive by the god Amon