Topical Bible: Pekah: Prophecies Against

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Pekah, the son of Remaliah, was a king of Israel who reigned during a tumultuous period marked by political instability and spiritual decline. His reign is noted for its alliances and conflicts, particularly with the kingdom of Judah and the Assyrian Empire. The biblical narrative provides insight into the divine prophecies pronounced against him, reflecting the broader judgment against the northern kingdom of Israel due to its persistent idolatry and rebellion against God.

Historical Context

Pekah came to power through a conspiracy, assassinating King Pekahiah and seizing the throne (2 Kings 15:25). His reign lasted for approximately twenty years, during which he formed an alliance with Rezin, king of Aram (Syria), to resist the expanding Assyrian Empire. This coalition sought to pressure Ahaz, king of Judah, into joining their anti-Assyrian alliance, leading to the Syro-Ephraimite War.

Prophecies Against Pekah

The prophet Isaiah was active during Pekah's reign and delivered significant prophecies concerning the fate of Israel and its leaders. One of the most notable prophecies is found in Isaiah 7, where God sends Isaiah to reassure King Ahaz of Judah not to fear the alliance of Pekah and Rezin. Isaiah prophesies the downfall of these two kings, stating:

"For the head of Aram is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is Rezin. Within sixty-five years Ephraim will be shattered as a people. The head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is the son of Remaliah. If you do not stand firm in your faith, then you will not stand at all" (Isaiah 7:8-9).

This prophecy highlights the impending judgment on Pekah and the northern kingdom, emphasizing the futility of their plans against Judah and the sovereignty of God over the nations.

Fulfillment of Prophecies

The prophecies against Pekah were fulfilled as the Assyrian Empire, under Tiglath-Pileser III, invaded the northern kingdom. The Assyrians captured significant territories, including Galilee and Gilead, and deported many Israelites (2 Kings 15:29). This invasion significantly weakened Pekah's rule and set the stage for his assassination by Hoshea, who would become the last king of Israel (2 Kings 15:30).

The prophetic words delivered by Isaiah and other prophets during this period underscore the theme of divine judgment against Israel for its unfaithfulness. Pekah's reign, marked by political intrigue and military alliances, ultimately could not withstand the decreed judgment of God, as foretold by His prophets.

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Isaiah 7:1-16
And it came to pass in the days of Ahaz the son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, king of Judah, that Rezin the king of Syria, and Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of Israel, went up toward Jerusalem to war against it, but could not prevail against it.
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Isaiah 8:4-10
For before the child shall have knowledge to cry, My father, and my mother, the riches of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria shall be taken away before the king of Assyria.
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Library

Jonah and Micah.
... It differs from all the other prophecies in that it is a ... 2. His preaching against
Nineveh.2-4 ... Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah; and of Pekah and Hoshea ...
/.../the way of salvation in the lutheran church/chapter xx jonah and micah.htm

The Prophet Hosea.
... In the fourth year of Ahaz, Pekah was slain ... that the historical references in the
prophecies of Hosea ... of Israel attempted to secure himself against Asshur, by ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophet hosea.htm

Hosea
... Jeroboam"Zechariah his son, Shallum, Menahem, Pekahiah, Pekah. ... the combination of
Israel and Aram against Judah; and ... to imply that his prophecies fall earlier ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/hosea.htm

The Antiquities of the Jews
... How Pekah Died By The Treachery Of Hoshea Who ... Nebuchadnezzar When He Made An Expedition
Against The Egyptians ... Daniel In Media; And What Prophecies He Delivered ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/the antiquities of the jews/

Bunsen's Biblical Researches.
... Ahaz, as a, sign against the Kings Pekah and Rezin ... writings a ground of cruel prejudice
against the Hebrew ... the vast majority of the prophecies are acknowledged ...
/.../essays and reviews the education of the world/bunsens biblical researches.htm

Babylonia and Assyria
... Pekah was put to death, and Hosea appointed by the ... form, as it were, an outpost against
attacks on ... the prophet himself was forbidden to utter his prophecies. ...
/.../early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter vi babylonia and assyria.htm

Sennacherib (705-681 BC )
... to the years preceding the war against Pekah and Rezin ... dost thou trust, that thou
rebellest against me ... thence into the collection of the prophecies attributed to ...
/.../chapter isennacherib 705-681 b c.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... of its supremacy"Alliance of Pekah and Rezin ... dynasty; usurpation of Ukinzir"Campaign
against Ukinzir; capture ... siege of Samaria, and the prophecies of Isaiah ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm