Tiglath-Pileser is the Anglicized form of the Hebrew Tiḡlaṯ Pilʾeser (תִּגְלַת פִּלְאֶסֶר), which itself derives from the Akkadian Tukulti-Apil-Esharra (Tukulti-apil-esharra), meaning "my trust is in the son of Esharra." Esharra was the main temple dedicated to the god Ashur in the city of Ashur, the religious capital of ancient Assyria.
Etymology
The name is composed of three elements: tukulti ("trust, reliance"), apli ("son, heir"), and esharra (the temple-name). It thus expresses pious devotion to the god Ashur, represented by his temple. The Assyrian royal name was borne by three kings: Tiglath-Pileser I (reigned c. 1115–1076 BCE), Tiglath-Pileser II (c. 967–935 BCE), and the most famous, Tiglath-Pileser III (reigned 745–727 BCE).
Historical Significance
Tiglath-Pileser III is noted as a major conqueror who expanded the Neo-Assyrian Empire into a vast territorial state. He is mentioned several times in the Jewish Bible (Old Testament), where he is depicted as a powerful king who exacted tribute from the Kingdom of Israel and deported parts of its population (2 Kings 15:29, 1 Chronicles 5:26). This led to his inclusion in later Judeo-Christian tradition as a symbol of divine judgment against the northern kingdom.
Usage and Variants
The name appears primarily in biblical and historical contexts. It is used in English translations of the Bible, as well as in scholarly works on Assyrian history. The original Akkadian form Tukulti-Apil-Esharra is occasionally used in academic literature, but Tiglath-Pileser remains the standard English rendering. The name has no modern given-name usage, remaining firmly historic.
- Meaning: "My trust is in the son of Esharra" (temple of Ashur)
- Origin: Akkadian, via Hebrew
- Type: Royal name (theophoric)
- Usage Regions: Biblical world, Assyrian Empire