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SHISHAK

(Heb. šîšaq; Egyp. ššnq)

Sheshonq I, first king of the 22nd Dynasty of Egypt. Due to uncertainty regarding the length of several kings of this dynasty, the exact dates and length of his reign are unclear. His accession occurred ca. 950 b.c.e., and he probably reigned 21 years. Shishak reunited Upper and Lower Egypt through a variety of astute political means, such as intermarriage and appointment of his relatives to high offices.

According to 1 Kgs. 14:25-28, during the fifth year of Rehoboam, Shishak invaded Palestine and exacted tribute from Rehoboam — the golden shields Solomon had made for the palace. 2 Chr. 12:1-12 provides further details about the size and ethnic makeup of Shishak’s army, but the historical value of these details is uncertain. Most likely, they are exaggerated and reflect the postexilic milieu of the Chronicler.

Shishak’s invasion of Palestine is attested on the Bubastite portal of the Karnak temple of Amon in Thebes. One scene contains an inscription describing the battle in stereotypical terms. Below this inscription is a list of cities conquered or visited by Shishak. About two dozen towns in Palestine have been identified in this list, but unfortunately the text is badly damaged in places, hampering efforts to determine Shishak’s itinerary. Shishak seems to have bypassed Judah and concentrated on northern Israel and the Negeb.

Bibliography. K. A. Kitchen, The Third Intermediate Period in Egypt (1100-650 b.c.), 2nd ed. (Warminster, 1986); D. B. Redford, Egypt, Canaan, and Israel in Ancient Times (Princeton, 1992).

Paul S. Ash

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

SHISHAK

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)