For years Hezekiah, King of Judah, was credited with building a substantial portion of the wall in the center of ancient Jerusalem. According to this interpretation, the building was carried out as a defensive move against the Assyrian Empire after the nearby Kingdom of Israel fell. But new, ground-breaking research that has been conducted over the past almost ten years has changed this story. demonstrating that the wall was, in fact, built by King Uzziah, the great-grandfather of Hezekiah, in reaction to a significant earthquake, consistent with biblical narratives.

Reevaluating Bible-Based Historical Narratives

In the past, the conventional wisdom dated the building of this wall to Hezekiah’s reign and linked it to his opposition to Sennacherib of Assyria. But a new study dates its roots to just after the big earthquake that rocked Jerusalem. This information calls into question preconceived notions and forces a review of the city’s defense system and chronology.

Biblical Verification

The Old Testament, especially the Second Book of Chronicles, offers important insights into King Uzziah’s fortification attempts. Archaeological discoveries and descriptions of towers built at key points in Jerusalem match, supporting the biblical account of the city’s fortifications and infrastructural advancements.