Where Art Thou, O Hezekiah’s Tunnel?: A Biblical Scholar Considers the Archaeological and Biblical Evidence concerning the Waterworks in 2 Chronicles 32:3–4, 30 and 2 Kings 20:20

Abstract

The increase of Iron Age archaeological discoveries in the City of David in recent years has precipitated debates regarding the identification of the tunnel that Hezekiah built, as described in 2 Chr 32:30 (cf. 2 Kgs 20:20). While the linguistic and textual evidence is usually presented by biblical scholars and, likewise, the archaeological evidence is predominantly discussed by archaeologists, this article is a biblical scholar’s attempt to address the question of the identification of Hezekiah’s tunnel with both archaeological and biblical findings simultaneously, rigorously, and critically in view. Along the way, I explore related issues regarding the waterworks extant in Hezekiah’s day and propose fresh resolutions to such matters as the assessment of archaeological proposals regarding the location of the springs and the stream in 2 Chr 32:3–4 with various aspects of Channel II; the diverse nuances of usage for terms involving [inline-graphic 01] (“city”) in 2 Chr 32; and the formulation of a solid logical explanation for how Channel II (or its runoff in the Kidron Valley) would qualify as flowing through the land while the springs are described as outside the city.