Taharqa

Taharqa was an Egyptian monarch of the 25th (Nubian) dynasty, who ruled circa 690-694 B.C. Scholars often identify him Tirhakah King of Ethiopia, who, according to the Bible, wages war against Sennacherib during the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah (see II Kings 19:9; Isaiah 37:9). The events in the biblical account are believed to have taken place in 701 B.C. though, whereas Taharqa only came to the throne some ten years later, in c. 690 B.C. It is therefore thought that the title of king appearing in the biblical text was given to him after the fact and was anticipatory of his later rising to the throne. At the time of this account, however, he was likely only a military commander.