Parting the Waters of the City of Jerusalem in the Siloam Tunnel of King Hezekiah

Hezekiah’s Tunnel, or Siloam Tunnel, was a part of a magnificent water system in Jerusalem. It was built during the Iron Age at the end of eight century BC, and remains one of the greatest architectural treasures of the city.

It was mentioned in the Bible and became one of the symbols of biblical Jerusalem. According to 2 Chronicles 32:2-4 and 2 Kings 20:20, the tunnel was created during the reign of the famous king Hezekiah of Judah. He wanted to prepare his city for the impending attack of the Assyrian King Sennacherib. The tunnel is 530 m (1750 ft.) long, which makes it perhaps the longest ancient tunnel. The Greek tunnel of Euphalios, which is the second longest one, was made during the 6th century and was only 335 m (1070 ft.) long.

Roman custom of proclamation of emperor on the shield. King Hezekiah. From Chludov Psalter. (Public Domain)