A little off the highway in the Taurus mountains of Turkey we found a lesser known known gem with a connection to the Bible called the Ivriz Rock Memorial. It is located here according to Google Maps, but this is a more precise location.
After doing some research, it was surprising to learn that there is a connection to the Bible. This connection is what I want to share.
The key to seeing it’s connection is to first of all understand the writing on the relief itself.
What the Rock Relief Shows
On the left we see a god named Tarhunas. He has a horned helmet which was a symbol of divinity. He is holding some stocks of wheat in his left hand and grape clusters in the other. Just below his left arm we see a sickle. All of this indicates fertility and prosperity.
To the right we see a person of smaller size in relation to this god, indicating inferiority. This is King Warpalawa. Notice that he is standing on a platform and is raising his hands. This is a gesture of worship.
The location tells us more. For example, the stream that flows past this relief tells us that this location was very fertile. This was no doubt due to the water spring that exists here. Hence what we see is the king paying homage to Tarhunas for the prosperity that this water source brought to the area.
How the Ivriz Rock Memorial Relates to the Bible
There is no direct mention of King Warpalawa or this god Tarhunas in the Bible. However this king had something in common with the kings of Israel to the south of him.
The Bible says that in the 8th century BC, Tiglath-Pileser III of Assyria was exerting itself as a world power. He subdued many lands, including this area of Turkey, known as Tuwana at the time.
Notice this quote from Insight on the Scriptures:
“It appears that during the early part of his reign, Tiglath-pileser III was occupied in hammering out stronger borders for the empire in the S, E, and N. The menacing shadow of Assyria, however, soon loomed large over the lands of Syria and Palestine to the W.”
Insight on the Scriptures, Volume 2 p. 1101
The King Warpalawa depicted in this rock relief was one of the kings subdued by Tiglath-pileser during this campaign mentioned above in the early part of his reign – before 791 BCE. Warpalawa then became one of five kings who would pay tribute to Tiglath-pileser1.
Tiglath-pileser then goes south and attacks the northern kingdom of Israel. It is at this point that we gain insight into the following Bible scripture:
“King Pul of As·syrʹi·a [Tiglath-Pileser III] came into the land, and Menʹa·hem gave Pul 1,000 talents of silver in return for his support in strengthening his hold on the kingdom.”
2 Kings 15:19 – NWT
Notice the timeline below. We see that Menahem reigned for about 10 years from 791 to 789 BC.
Notice who his contemporary was in the southern Judean kingdom – King Uzziah (Azariah).
This means that we would also expect to see Tiglath-Pileser III mentioned in connection with King Uzziah (or Azariah) also. And we do!
“Assyrian inscriptions prominently mention Azriau of Ia-ú-da-a-a (Judah) in connection with a campaign by Tiglath-pileser III in Syria.” –
Insight on the Scriptures pp. 1100-1102
King Uzziah is mentioned in the Assyrian records of King Tiglath-Pileser III’s campaigns as King Azriau1.
Here is the connection between the Bible and this relief. King Warpalawa (depicted on the right side of the relief) was a contemporary of King Uzziah and King Menahem. They each faced the threat of King Tiglath-Pileser III. When their territory was invaded, both king Menahem and Warpalawa paid tribute to Tiglath-Pileser III.
There is no mention of King Warpalawa having any direct contact with Israelite King Menahem in the Bible, but this knowledge helps put this rock relief in context.
Other Noteworthy Features
This rock relief has a beautiful park with streams, picnic tables, and walking paths around it.
Translation of the signs
The monument, which is one of the most important works of late Hittite art, measures 4.20 by 4.20 meters. It is an important work that has survived from the Tuwana Kingdom where Arami, Assyrian and Phrygian influences were seen.
The storm god Tarhunza and the king of the region, Warpalawas are depicted. Tarhunza, who is depicted as the larger one than the king, holds a scythe and bunches of grapes in his hands. So it is understood that Tarhunza is also the god of abundance and fertility. The king, standing in front of the god, is depicted smaller in a state of prayer.
The relief reads, “I am Warpalawas, the reigning and heroic Tuwana king. When I was a prince in the palace, I planted these vines. May god Tarunzas give them fortility and abundance.”
1168 BC
When I was a child in the palace, I planted these vines. Tarhunzas can give them blessings.
The soil of Eregli was taken from under this relief and taken to Ataturks grave. – November 8, 1953
Summary
The Ivriz Rock Memorial connects to the Bible in the sense that King Warpalawa (picture on the right of the relief) was a contemporary of King Menahem of Israel and King Uzziah of Judah. Additionally, both King Menahem and King Warpalawa paid tribute to the same Assyrian king when he invaded their land.
There are other points of interest around the relief, including a Byzantine monastery, another similar rock relief and a beautiful park with a stream.
Please also check out our pictures of Mount Ararat and the location of the Garden of Eden.
Please leave any comments or questions below.
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