Topical Encyclopedia Name Meaning: The name Hizki'ah, also spelled Hezekiah, means "Yahweh is my strength" or "Yahweh has strengthened." This name reflects the king's reliance on God during his reign.Biblical References: Hizki'ah is primarily mentioned in the books of 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, and Isaiah. His account is a significant part of the narrative concerning the kings of Judah. Historical Context: Hizki'ah was the son of King Ahaz and became the 13th king of Judah. His reign is dated approximately from 715 to 686 BC. He is noted for his religious reforms and efforts to centralize worship in Jerusalem, as well as his political and military activities. Religious Reforms: Hizki'ah is renowned for his commitment to restoring the worship of Yahweh in Judah. He removed high places, shattered sacred stones, and cut down Asherah poles. He also destroyed the bronze serpent that Moses had made, because the Israelites had begun to burn incense to it (2 Kings 18:4). His reforms were aimed at purifying the worship practices of the people and returning them to the covenantal faithfulness required by the Law of Moses. Passover Celebration: One of Hizki'ah's significant religious acts was the celebration of the Passover, which had not been observed on such a scale since the days of Solomon. He invited all Israel and Judah to participate, emphasizing unity and repentance (2 Chronicles 30:1-27). Assyrian Threat: During Hizki'ah's reign, the Assyrian Empire posed a significant threat to Judah. King Sennacherib of Assyria invaded Judah and laid siege to Jerusalem. Hizki'ah sought the counsel of the prophet Isaiah and prayed earnestly for deliverance. The Lord responded by sending an angel who struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers, leading to the withdrawal of Sennacherib (2 Kings 19:35-36). Illness and Recovery: Hizki'ah fell gravely ill, and the prophet Isaiah informed him that he would not recover. In response, Hizki'ah prayed to the Lord, who granted him an additional fifteen years of life. As a sign of this promise, the shadow on the sundial of Ahaz went backward ten steps (2 Kings 20:1-11). Wealth and Pride: Hizki'ah's reign was marked by prosperity, but he also faced challenges of pride. After his recovery, envoys from Babylon visited him, and he showed them all his treasures. This act of pride led to a prophecy from Isaiah that all his wealth and some of his descendants would be taken to Babylon (2 Kings 20:12-19). Legacy: Hizki'ah is remembered as one of the most faithful kings of Judah, who trusted in the Lord and sought to lead his people back to covenantal faithfulness. His reign is often contrasted with that of his father, Ahaz, and his son, Manasseh, who both led Judah into idolatry. Key Verses: · "Hezekiah trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel. No king of Judah was like him, either before him or after him." (2 Kings 18:5) · "In those days Hezekiah became mortally ill. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz came to him and said, 'This is what the LORD says: Put your house in order, for you are about to die; you will not recover.'" (2 Kings 20:1) Hizki'ah's life and reign serve as a testament to the power of faith and prayer, as well as a reminder of the dangers of pride and complacency. His account is a pivotal chapter in the history of Judah, illustrating the nation's struggle to remain faithful to God amidst external threats and internal challenges. Concordance Hizki'ah (1 Occurrence)1 Chronicles 3:23 Thesaurus Hizki'ah (1 Occurrence)Hizki'ah. Hizkiah, Hizki'ah. Hizkijah . Multi-Version Concordance Hizki'ah (1 Occurrence). 1 Chronicles 3:23 And the sons of Neariah ... /h/hizki'ah.htm - 6k Hizkiah (2 Occurrences) Hizkijah (1 Occurrence) Resources Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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