Bible Dictionary
Shalman
Shalman is a name mentioned by Hosea in describing the destruction of Beth-arbel. It may be a shortened form of Shalmaneser, or may refer to another Assyrian, Moabite, or Arabian ruler; the identification is uncertain.
Definition
Shalman is a name occurring in Hosea’s account of the destruction of Beth-arbel. It is commonly interpreted as a shortened form of Shalmaneser, though identification with a particular ruler remains uncertain.
Biblical Usage
Hosea refers to Shalman as the destroyer of Beth-arbel. The passage assumes that the event was known and significant, but the supplied material does not establish the identity of either Shalman or Beth-arbel.
Historical Background
Shalman has been proposed as Shalmaneser IV or V, Salamanu of Moab, or Shalmah, a North Arabian tribe. The ancient translations do not resolve the question, and the historical identification remains uncertain.
Scripture References
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
An Assyrian king (Hos. 10:14), identified with Shalmaneser II. (Sayce) or IV. (Lenormant), the successor of Pul on the throne of Assyria (B.C. 728). He made war against Hoshea, the king of Israel, whom he subdued and compelled to pay an annual tribute. Hoshea, however, soon after rebelled against his Assyrian conquerer. Shalmaneser again marched against Samaria, which, after a siege of three years, was taken (2 Kings 17:3-5; 18:9) by Sargon (q.v.). A revolution meantime had broken out in Assyria, and Shalmaneser was deposed. Sargon usurped the vacant throne. Schrader thinks that this is probably the name of a king of Moab mentioned on an inscription of Tiglath-pileser as Salamanu.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(fire-worshipper), a contraction for Shalmaneser king of Assyria. (Hosea 10:14) Others think it the name of an obscure Assyrian king, predecessor of Pul.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>shal'-man (shalman): A name of uncertain meaning, found only once in the Old Testament (Ho 10:14), in connection with a place-name, equally obscure, "as Shalman destroyed Betharbel." Shalman is most commonly interpreted as a contracted form of Shalmaneser, the name of several Assyrian kings. If this explanation is correct, the king referred to cannot be identified. Some have thought of Shalmaneser IV, who is said to have undertaken expeditions against the West in 775 and in 773-772. Others have proposed Shalmaneser V, who attacked Samaria in 725. This, however, is improbable, because the activity of Hosea ceased before Shalmaneser V became king. Shalman has also been identified with Salamanu, a king of Moab in the days of Hosea, who paid tribute to Tiglath-pileser V of Assyria; and with Shalmah, a North Arabian tribe that invaded the Negeb. The identification of BETH-ARBEL (which see) is equally uncertain. From the reference it would seem that the event in question was well known and, therefore, probably one of recent date and considerable importance, but our present historical knowledge does not enable us to connect any of the persons named with the destruction of any of the localities suggested for Beth-arbel. The ancient translations offer no solution; they too seem to have been in the dark.</p><p>F. C. Eiselen</p>