Tukulti-Apil-Esharra is the original Akkadian form of Tiglath-Pileser, a name borne by three kings of Assyria.
Etymology
The name Tukulti-apil-esharra translates to “my trust is in the son of Esharra.” Esharra was the main temple dedicated to the god Ashur in the city of Ashur, and so the name expresses devotion through trust in the divine offspring. The Hebrew form Tiḡlaṯ Pilʾeser (תִּגְלַת פִּלְאֶסֶר), which appears in the Old Testament, gave rise to the Anglicized version Tiglath-Pileser.
Historical Bearers
The best-known bearer is Tiglath-Pileser III (reigned 744–727 BC), a powerful conqueror who expanded the Neo-Assyrian Empire and is documented in Assyrian annals as well as in the Bible (2 Kings 15:29, 16:7). The name of his father, Ashur-nirari V, is recorded, and Tiglath-Pileser III claimed ancestry from earlier Assyrian kings. The Assyrian King List lists earlier rulers with the same name, including Tiglath-Pileser I (1115–1076 BC), who campaigned against the Mushki and the Arameans.
Cultural Significance
Tukulti-Apil-Esharra reflects the deep religious devotion of Assyrian kings, whose names often incorporated divine elements. The root Esharra refers to the cosmic temple of the god Ashur, underscoring the centrality of the deity in royal ideology.
- Meaning: “My trust is in the son of Esharra”
- Origin: Akkadian (Assyrian)
- Usage: One of three Assyrian kings, as well as the form underlying the Anglicized Tiglath-Pileser