He may have been aware of the words of the prophet Micah, a contemporary who foretold concerning Assyria: “As for the Assyrian,... we shall also have to raise up against him seven shepherds, yes, eight dukes of mankind.
(‏ ٢ اخ ٢٨ :‏ ​ ٢٠ ،‏ ٢١‏ )‏ فَلَرُبَّمَا كَانَ يَعْرِفُ كَلِمَاتِ مِيخَا ،‏ نَبِيٍّ مُعَاصِرٍ أَنْبَأَ بِشَأْنِ أَشُّورَ :‏ « نُقِيمُ عَلَيْهِ [ٱلْأَشُّورِيِّ] سَبْعَةَ رُعَاةٍ ،‏ بَلْ ثَمَانِيَةَ زُعَمَاءَ مِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ .‏