Ahikar the Wise
Ahiqar the Wise is a historical figure dating back to the Assyrian era. He was famous for his wisdom and there were many reports about him in ancient books and travels. It was said that he was a pagan, and it was said that he was a monotheist, and stories were told about him in all civilizations. The book of his wisdom and the sayings and quotes of Ahiqar the Wise were inherited from him.) Oh my son Do not be hasty and hasty, like the almond tree, which blooms before all the trees, and whose fruit is eaten after all of them.
The wisdom of Ahiqar, the Assyrian sage, spread across horizons and penetrated borders, so its owner became on every lip and tongue. It was translated into most of the world’s languages and spread widely, rarely enjoyed by any other book.
The Assyrian sage Ahicar was born in Kalah, the capital of ancient Assyria. His name is a combination of two words (Ah, Yakr), meaning brother of generosity. The word Ahiqar means in Aramaic (the Wise) and he is described as a shrewd man.
Ahiqar was an Assyrian minister to whom the book “The Rule of Ahiqar” is attributed, written around 500 BC. In Aramaic, which was found in Elephantine in Upper Egypt. According to the story mentioned in this book, Ahikar was a minister to both Esarhaddon and his father Sennacherib before him. He adopted his nephew, Nadab/Nadan, in order to succeed him, but the latter accuses him in front of Esarhaddon, so Ahikar is imprisoned awaiting his execution.
However, he tells the person in charge of the execution how he saved him from death previously, so he kills one of the prisoners instead of him, and here the story ends because the rest of it is lost. However, other versions mention his escape to Egypt and then his triumphant return to his position after proving his loyalty to Esarhaddon. Other versions also mention his meeting with him. With his adopted son, who then dies. The book “The Rule of Ahikar” contains many proverbs that resonate in the rule of Joshua ben Sirach and in the Book of Proverbs.
Source: Anis Fariha Ahiqar, a sage from the ancient Near East