Sanballat II is hypothesized to be a hereditary governor of Samaria under the Achaemenid Empire.
He is hypothesized to be a grandson of Sanballat the Horonite, who is mentioned in the Book of Nehemiah and the Elephantine papyri.
The hypothesized time period where Sanballat II was governor may have coincided with the construction of the Samaritan Temple on Mount Gerizim.
Frank Moore Cross was involved in the purchase and excavation of ancient papyri at Wadi Daliyeh, preserved by the dry climate.
As a result, Cross came to the conclusion that at least three different Sanballats ruled as governor of Samaria during the Persian era, and that the governorship had passed down a family line.