Shalman is a somewhat enigmatic figure mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the book of Hosea. The reference to Shalman is brief and has led to various interpretations and discussions among biblical scholars and historians.

Biblical Reference:

The primary mention of Shalman is found in Hosea 10:14:
"the roar of battle will rise against your people, so that all your fortresses will be devastated— as Shalman devastated Beth-arbel on the day of battle, when mothers were dashed to pieces with their children." (Hosea 10:14)

Historical Context:

The identity of Shalman is not explicitly detailed in the biblical text, leading to several theories regarding who he might have been. Some scholars suggest that Shalman could be a reference to Shalmaneser III or Shalmaneser V, both of whom were Assyrian kings known for their military campaigns in the region. Shalmaneser III reigned from 859 to 824 BC, while Shalmaneser V reigned from 727 to 722 BC. Both kings were known for their aggressive expansionist policies and military prowess, which could align with the destructive imagery described in Hosea.

Another theory posits that Shalman might be a reference to a Moabite or other regional king, possibly a lesser-known figure whose exploits were significant enough to be remembered in the context of Hosea's prophecy. The lack of additional biblical or extrabiblical records makes it difficult to definitively identify Shalman.

Beth-arbel:

The location of Beth-arbel, mentioned alongside Shalman, is also a subject of debate. Some scholars suggest it could be a site in the region of Gilead or possibly a location in the vicinity of modern-day Jordan. The destruction of Beth-arbel, as described in Hosea, serves as a vivid illustration of the consequences of Israel's unfaithfulness and the impending judgment that Hosea prophesied.

Theological Significance:

In the context of Hosea's prophecy, the mention of Shalman and the destruction of Beth-arbel serves as a warning to the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Hosea's ministry was characterized by calls to repentance and warnings of divine judgment due to the nation's idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness. The reference to Shalman's destruction of Beth-arbel underscores the severity of the judgment that would come upon Israel if they continued in their ways.

The imagery of devastation and the specific mention of mothers and children being dashed to pieces highlight the totality and horror of the impending judgment. It serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of turning away from God and the seriousness with which God views covenantal disobedience.

Conclusion:

While the exact identity of Shalman remains uncertain, his mention in the book of Hosea provides a powerful illustration of the themes of judgment and repentance that are central to Hosea's prophetic message. The historical and theological implications of this reference continue to be a topic of interest and study within biblical scholarship.Shalman

peaceable; perfect; that rewards

Shalman

(fire-worshipper), a contraction for Shalmaneser king of Assyria. (Hosea 10:14) Others think it the name of an obscure Assyrian king, predecessor of Pul.

An Assyrian king (Hosea 10:14), identified with Shalmaneser II. (Sayce) or IV. (Lenormant), the successor of Pul on the throne of Assyria (B.C. 728). He made war against Hoshea, the king of Israel, whom he subdued and compelled to pay an annual tribute. Hoshea, however, soon after rebelled against his Assyrian conquerer. Shalmaneser again marched against Samaria, which, after a siege of three years, was taken (2 Kings 17:3-5; 18:9) by Sargon (q.v.). A revolution meantime had broken out in Assyria, and Shalmaneser was deposed. Sargon usurped the vacant throne. Schrader thinks that this is probably the name of a king of Moab mentioned on an inscription of Tiglath-pileser as Salamanu. SHALMAN

shal'-man (shalman): A name of uncertain meaning, found only once in the Old Testament (Hosea 10:14), in connection with a place-name, equally obscure, "as Shalman destroyed Betharbel." Shalman is most commonly interpreted as a contracted form of Shalmaneser, the name of several Assyrian kings. If this explanation is correct, the king referred to cannot be identified. Some have thought of Shalmaneser IV, who is said to have undertaken expeditions against the West in 775 and in 773-772. Others have proposed Shalmaneser V, who attacked Samaria in 725. This, however, is improbable, because the activity of Hosea ceased before Shalmaneser V became king. Shalman has also been identified with Salamanu, a king of Moab in the days of Hosea, who paid tribute to Tiglath-pileser V of Assyria; and with Shalmah, a North Arabian tribe that invaded the Negeb. The identification of BETH-ARBEL (which see) is equally uncertain. From the reference it would seem that the event in question was well known and, therefore, probably one of recent date and considerable importance, but our present historical knowledge does not enable us to connect any of the persons named with the destruction of any of the localities suggested for Beth-arbel. The ancient translations offer no solution; they too seem to have been in the dark.

F. C. Eiselen

8020. Shalman -- probably a king of Assyria
... 8019b, 8020. Shalman. 8021 . probably a king of Assyria. Transliteration: Shalman
Phonetic Spelling: (shal-man') Short Definition: Shalman. ...
/hebrew/8020.htm - 6k

8022. Shalmaneser -- a king of Assyr.
... Shalmaneser. Of foreign derivation; Shalmaneser, an Assyrian king -- Shalmaneser.
Comp Shalman. see HEBREW Shalman. 8021, 8022. Shalmaneser. 8023 . ...
/hebrew/8022.htm - 6k

The Prophet Hosea.
... earlier period. For in chap. x.14, an expedition of Shalman or Shalmaneser
against the kingdom of Israel (Vitringa, Proleg. in Is. p ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophet hosea.htm

'Fruit which is Death'
... Therefore shall a tumult arise among thy people, and all thy fortresses shall be
spoiled, as Shalman spoiled Beth-arbel in the day of battle: the mother was ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/fruit which is death.htm

The Nations of the South-East
... One of them was Shalman, who may be the spoiler of Beth-Arbel referred to by
Hosea;[10] another was Chemosh-nadab, the contemporary of Hezekiah. ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter iii the nations of.htm

Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest
... universe; and each declared himself to be king"melek"over the other gods.** Bashuf
represented the lightning and the thunderbolt;*** Shalman, Hadad, and ...
/.../chapter iisyria at the beginning.htm

Shalman (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SHALMAN. shal'-man (shalman): A name
of uncertain meaning, found only once in the Old Testament ...
/s/shalman.htm - 9k

Shalmaneser (3 Occurrences)
... SHALMANESER. shal-ma-ne'-zer (shalman'ecer; Septuagint Samennasar, Salmandsar):
The name of several Assyrian kings. See ASSYRIA; CAPTIVITY. ...
/s/shalmaneser.htm - 9k

Beth-arbel (1 Occurrence)
... The Shalman here named was probably Shalmaneser, the king of Assyria (2
Kings 17:3). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BETH-ARBEL. ...
/b/beth-arbel.htm - 8k

Betharbel (1 Occurrence)
... The Shalman here named was probably Shalmaneser, the king of Assyria (2
Kings 17:3). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BETH-ARBEL. ...
/b/betharbel.htm - 8k

Enemessar
... the rough breathing more commonly takes the place of a dropped "s"; both scholars
admit the easy transposition of the liquids "m" and "n". Shalman-asharid is ...
/e/enemessar.htm - 7k

Devastated (20 Occurrences)
... Hosea 10:14 Therefore a battle roar will arise among your people, and all your
fortresses will be destroyed, as Shalman destroyed Beth Arbel in the day of ...
/d/devastated.htm - 12k

Beth-ar'bel (1 Occurrence)
... Hosea 10:14 And rise doth a tumult among thy people, And all thy fortresses are
spoiled, As the spoiling of Shalman of Beth-Arbel, In a day of battle, Mother ...
/b/beth-ar'bel.htm - 6k

Baladan (2 Occurrences)
... That only the latter part of the father's name is here mentioned may be compared
with the Shalman of Hosea 10:14 for the more fully-written Shalmaneser of 2 ...
/b/baladan.htm - 9k

Arbel (1 Occurrence)
... Hosea 10:14 Therefore a battle roar will arise among your people, and all your
fortresses will be destroyed, as Shalman destroyed Beth Arbel in the day of ...
/a/arbel.htm - 6k

Spoiling (20 Occurrences)
... Hosea 10:14 And rise doth a tumult among thy people, And all thy fortresses are
spoiled, As the spoiling of Shalman of Beth-Arbel, In a day of battle, Mother ...
/s/spoiling.htm - 12k

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