Hoshea
PeopleWhat is the meaning of Hoshea in the Bible?
Hoshea was the last king of the northern Kingdom of Israel, installed by the Assyrian emperor Tiglath-pileser III following the deposition of Pekah. He ruled as a vassal state, paying tribute to Assyria, until he ceased payments and sought aid from Egypt, leading to a three-year siege by Shalmaneser V and the eventual deportation of the Israelite population.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding Hoshea's political maneuvering and the subsequent Assyrian conquest clarifies the historical context of the fall of Samaria, explaining why the northern tribes were dispersed and how this event shaped the religious and political landscape of the remaining southern Kingdom of Judah.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
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Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.