The campaign of Zerah the Kushite
S.E. Berezina
New archaeological data, especially the finds discovered in the Meroitic capital as a result of regular excavations conducted years ago, indicate that Meroe appeared on the scene of events earlier than the eighth century BC. For this reason, we can refer to sources that talk about the history of the Middle East and northeastern Africa as early as the first millennium BC, especially to the parts that remained outside the scope of observation of Meroitic studies. These are the dates (12, 3-4 and 14, 9-15) about the campaign of Zerah the Kushite to the Kingdom of Judah. The story usually attracted researchers and considered the invasion a historical fact. The campaign is dated to the year 879 BC, and has been traditionally evaluated in the context of Egyptian history. For a long time, Zerah was identified with Assarkon I, but it is now suggested that Zerah was an Assarkon general.
The dates, which constitute the primary authoritative source, were included in the authoritative version of the Bible after many revisions and many deletions. The Bible does not contain information about Zerah's status. The analysis is based on unreliable copies from Judea, Egypt, and Arabia as well as those preserved in the so-called Notes of Lucian in the Septuagint, i.e. the Jewish history compiled by Josephus Flavius, and in the works of the medieval historians Eutychius and Tiberius.
These authors claimed that Zerah (Zarach, Zarai) was king of Kush. Their accounts talk about the circumstances of the campaign and its results. Their data are completely consistent with the dates. To add, they say that the motive for the campaign was the appeal for help made by the Jewish nobles to Zerah, as they were fed up with Asa’s reforms. The route taken by the expedition is described, including the exact names of the places, one of which is found in the legal text. The account in the Bible does not contradict other sources, and indicates that Zerah walked through non-hostile areas until he reached Gerar. Zerah found support from the urban population and Bedouin tribes in southeastern Palestine and in southern Judea. It seems that Zerah found allies in those lands against Asa, who frightened them with his growing influence and aggressive foreign policy. The idea of the campaign, I believe, was stimulated by the successful Kushite conquest of Judea and Israel, led by Sheshak I (The Chronicles 2, 12, 3-4) in 925 BC. Zerah's campaign must be viewed in the context of the Kushite expansion in the ninth century BC. When the Kushites advanced to the borders of the Arab lands (Histories 2, 21, 16) and, possibly, established their control over them (List of tribes in the Bible).
Expedition of Zerah the Cushite
S.Ya.Berzina
New archaeological evidence, particularly findings coming from regular excavations conducted for several years at the Meroitic city suggest that Meroe emerged much earlier than the 8th century BC. For this reason, we may turn to the sources speaking about history of the Middle East and Northeast Africa in the early first millennium BC, particularly to sections which have escaped the attention of Meroitic studies. This is Chronicles (12, 3-4 and 14, 9-15) on the expedition of Zerah the Cushite to the Kingdom of Judah. The story has often attracted the researchers and invasion is considered to be a historical fact. It is dated by 897 BC and was traditionally considered in the context of Egyptian history. For a long time Zerah has been identified with Osorkon I, but now it is suggested that he was his general.
The Chronicles constituting the main relevant source, was included in the authorized version of the Old Testament after several revisions and considerable omissions. The Old Testament does not include data on the status of Zerah. The analysis relies on unauthorized versions from Judah, Egypt and Arabia and those surviving in the so-called Lucian's comments on the Septuagint, the Judaic History by Josephus Flavius, and works by medieval historians, Eutichius, and, al-Tabari.
These authors claim that Zerah (Zarah, Zaray) was the king of Cush (Ethiopia). Their versions speak about the circumstances and results of the expedition. Their data virtually agree with the Chronicles. In addition, they say that the reason for the expedition was an appeal to Zerah from Judah's nobility, indignant with Asa's reforms. The route of the expedition with accurate place names is given, one of which is found in the canonical text. The version in the Old Testament does not contradict other sources, and suggests that Zerah went through friendly territories as far as Gerar. He was supported by the urban population and nomadic tribes of Southeastern Palestine and Southern Judah. It seems that in those lands, Zerah had allies against Asa who were frightened by his increasing influence and aggressive foreign policy. The idea of the expedition, I believe, was suggested by successful and lucrative invasion of the Cushites in Judah and Israel, headed by Shishak I (II Chron,12, 3-4; BAR 4 723-724) in 925 BC. The Zerah expedition should be considered in the context of the Cushitic expansion in the 9th century, when the Cushites made progress to borders of the Arab lands (II Chron, 21, 16) and probably, established control over them (the Biblical List of Tribes).