King Shalmaneser of Assyria came up against him; and Hoshea became his vassal, and paid him tribute — Shalmaneser V, inheritor of Tiglath-Pileser's imperial dominion, initiates the final siege against Israel. Hoshea's submission—"became his vassal" (וַיִּשְׁמַר לוֹ עֶבֶד, *way-yishmar lo eved*)—indicates acknowledgment of subordination and tributary obligation. The payment of tribute (מִנְחָה, *minchah*) represents the ongoing exaction that depletes the northern kingdom's resources. This vassalage relationship, following decades of Assyrian dominion, demonstrates Israel's complete political subordination.

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