Zakkur Stele
The stele names Zakkur of Hamath and Luash and Bar-Hadad, son of Hazael, of Aram-Damascus. It documents a conflict between these kingdoms and provides evidence of royal writing, religious claims, and regional alliances in the early eighth century BC.
About the Discovery
The Zakkur Stele is a damaged royal monument inscribed in Old Aramaic. It was discovered at Tell Afis in Syria in 1903. Its text was commissioned by Zakkur, ruler of Hamath and Luash, and recounts a siege of Hazrak by a coalition of neighboring kings led by Bar-Hadad, son of Hazael, ruler of Aram-Damascus.
Zakkur credits the god Baalshamayn with delivering him from his enemies. The inscription is a royal account of events and therefore reflects Zakkur’s own perspective. It is nevertheless an important contemporary source for the politics of the Syrian kingdoms.
Scripture Reference
2 Kings 13:3, 24–25 (Hazael and Ben-Hadad); Amos 1:3–5 (Damascus); Amos 6:2 (Hamath). These passages provide historical background and do not mention the stele itself.