Remali'ah is a biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the context of the divided kingdom of Israel. He is primarily known as the father of Pekah, one of the kings of Israel. The name Remali'ah itself means "Yahweh has adorned" or "Yahweh has bedecked," reflecting a theophoric element common in Hebrew names.

Biblical References:

1. 2 Kings 15:25, 27, 30 · Remali'ah is introduced in the narrative of the kings of Israel. His son, Pekah, is described as a captain in the army of King Pekahiah, whom he conspired against and assassinated to seize the throne. "Then Pekah son of Remaliah, his officer, conspired against him and struck him down in Samaria, in the citadel of the king’s palace, along with Argob and Arieh. With fifty men of Gilead, Pekah killed Pekahiah and reigned in his place" (2 Kings 15:25). Pekah's reign is marked by political instability and conflict with the southern kingdom of Judah.

2. Isaiah 7:1-9 · Remali'ah is mentioned in the context of the Syro-Ephraimite War, where his son Pekah allied with Rezin, king of Aram, to attack Jerusalem. This coalition aimed to dethrone Ahaz, king of Judah, and replace him with a puppet ruler. The prophet Isaiah is sent to reassure Ahaz, emphasizing that the plans of Pekah and Rezin will not succeed. "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).

3. 2 Chronicles 28:6 · The chronicler recounts the devastation wrought by Pekah, son of Remali'ah, upon Judah during the reign of Ahaz. "For in one day Pekah son of Remaliah killed 120,000 valiant men in Judah, because they had forsaken the LORD, the God of their fathers" (2 Chronicles 28:6). This passage highlights the severity of the conflict and the consequences of Judah's unfaithfulness to God.

Historical and Theological Context:

Remali'ah's significance in the biblical narrative is largely tied to his son Pekah's actions and the broader geopolitical dynamics of the 8th century BC. The period was characterized by the rise of the Assyrian Empire, which exerted pressure on smaller states like Israel and Judah. Pekah's alliance with Aram against Judah was a strategic move to resist Assyrian dominance, but it ultimately failed, leading to further instability and eventual conquest by Assyria.

From a theological perspective, the accounts involving Remali'ah and his son serve as a backdrop for prophetic messages, particularly those of Isaiah. The prophet's interactions with Ahaz and the assurances given to Judah underscore themes of divine sovereignty, the futility of human alliances against God's will, and the necessity of faithfulness to the covenant with Yahweh.

Legacy:

While Remali'ah himself is not a central figure, his mention in the biblical text serves to identify Pekah and situate the events within the larger narrative of Israel's history. The episodes involving his son highlight the consequences of political ambition and the importance of reliance on God rather than human schemes.Remali'ah (13 Occurrences)

2 Kings 15:25
And Pekah the son of Remaliah, his captain, conspired against him, and smote him in Samaria, in the castle of the king's house, by Argob and by Arieh; and with him were fifty men of the Gileadites; and he slew him, and reigned in his stead.
(See RSV)

2 Kings 15:27
In the two and fiftieth year of Azariah king of Judah Pekah the son of Remaliah began to reign over Israel in Samaria, and reigned twenty years.
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2 Kings 15:30
And Hoshea the son of Elah made a conspiracy against Pekah the son of Remaliah, and smote him, and slew him, and reigned in his stead, in the twentieth year of Jotham the son of Uzziah.
(See RSV)

2 Kings 15:32
In the second year of Pekah the son of Remaliah king of Israel began Jotham the son of Uzziah king of Judah to reign.
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2 Kings 15:37
In those days the LORD began to send against Judah Rezin the king of Aram, and Pekah the son of Remaliah.
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2 Kings 16:1
In the seventeenth year of Pekah the son of Remaliah Ahaz the son of Jotham king of Judah began to reign.
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2 Kings 16:5
Then Rezin king of Aram and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel came up to Jerusalem to war; and they besieged Ahaz, but could not overcome him.
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2 Chronicles 28:6
For Pekah the son of Remaliah slew in Judah a hundred and twenty thousand in one day, all of them valiant men; because they had forsaken the LORD, the God of their fathers.
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Isaiah 7:1
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 Aram, and Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of Israel, went up to Jerusalem to war against it; but could not prevail against it.
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Isaiah 7:4
and say unto him: Keep calm, and be quiet; fear not, neither let thy heart be faint, because of these two tails of smoking firebrands, for the fierce anger of Rezin and Aram, and of the son of Remaliah.
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Isaiah 7:5
Because Aram hath counselled evil against thee, Ephraim also, and the son of Remaliah, saying:
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Isaiah 7:9
And the head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is Remaliah's son. If ye will not have faith, surely ye shall not be established.'
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Isaiah 8:6
Forasmuch as this people hath refused the waters of Shiloah that go softly, and rejoiceth with Rezin and Remaliah's son;
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Remali'ah (13 Occurrences)
Remali'ah. Remaliah, Remali'ah. Remaliah's . Multi-Version Concordance
Remali'ah (13 Occurrences). 2 Kings 15:25 And Pekah the son ...
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Remaliah (13 Occurrences)

/r/remaliah.htm - 11k

Remaliah's (3 Occurrences)

/r/remaliah's.htm - 7k

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