Remaliah is a biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament, primarily known as the father of Pekah, who became the king of Israel. The name Remaliah itself means "Yahweh has adorned" or "Yahweh has bedecked," reflecting a theophoric element common in Hebrew names, which often include a reference to God.

Biblical References:

Remaliah is mentioned in several passages, primarily in the context of his son Pekah's reign. Pekah, the son of Remaliah, is introduced in 2 Kings 15:25: "Then Pekah son of Remaliah, one of his chief officers, conspired against him. Taking fifty men of Gilead with him, he assassinated Pekahiah along with Argob and Arieh in the citadel of the king’s palace at Samaria. So Pekah killed him and reigned in his place."

Pekah's reign is further detailed in 2 Kings 15:27: "In the fifty-second year of Azariah’s reign over Judah, Pekah son of Remaliah became king of Israel, and he reigned in Samaria for twenty years."

Remaliah's name is also mentioned in the context of the Syro-Ephraimite War, a significant conflict involving the kingdoms of Israel and Aram (Syria) against Judah. Isaiah 7:1-2 provides insight into this period: "Now it came to pass in the days of Ahaz son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, king of Judah, that Rezin king of Aram and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel marched up to Jerusalem to wage war against it, but they could not overpower it. When it was reported to the house of David, 'Aram has allied itself with Ephraim,' the hearts of Ahaz and his people trembled like trees in the forest shaken by the wind."

Historical and Theological Context:

Remaliah's significance in the biblical narrative is primarily through his son, Pekah, who played a crucial role in the political and military events of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Pekah's alliance with Rezin of Aram against Judah was a pivotal moment in the history of the divided kingdoms, leading to the intervention of the Assyrian Empire.

The Syro-Ephraimite War, in which Pekah participated, is a key event that highlights the geopolitical struggles of the time. The prophet Isaiah's involvement, as seen in Isaiah 7, underscores the theological dimension of these events, where the faithfulness of the Davidic line and the sovereignty of God over the nations are central themes.

Prophetic Implications:

The prophet Isaiah's message during the reign of Pekah son of Remaliah is significant. Isaiah 7:4-9 records God's message to King Ahaz of Judah, encouraging him not to fear the alliance of Rezin and Pekah: "Say to him: Calm down and be quiet. Do not be afraid or disheartened over these two smoldering stubs of firewood—over the fierce anger of Rezin and Aram and of the son of Remaliah. For Aram, along with Ephraim and the son of Remaliah, has plotted your ruin, saying, 'Let us invade Judah, terrorize it, and divide it among ourselves. Then we can install the son of Tabeal over it as king.'"

Isaiah's prophecy assured Ahaz that the plans of Rezin and Pekah would not succeed, emphasizing God's control over the affairs of nations and His protection of the Davidic covenant. This passage is also notable for the prophecy of Immanuel, a sign of God's presence and faithfulness to His people.

Conclusion:

While Remaliah himself is not a central figure in the biblical narrative, his mention as the father of Pekah places him within the broader context of Israel's tumultuous history during the divided monarchy. The events surrounding his son’s reign and the prophetic messages delivered during this time offer rich insights into the themes of divine sovereignty, judgment, and the hope of redemption that permeate the biblical text.Remaliah

the exaltation of the Lord

Remaliah

(protected by Jehovah). The father of Pekah, captain of Pekahiah; king of Israel, who slew his master and usurped his throne. (2 Kings 15:25-37; 16:1,5; 2 Chronicles 28:6; Isaiah 7:1-9; 8:6) (B.C. 756.)

Adorned by the Lord, the father of Pekah, who conspired successfully against Pekahiah (2 Kings 15:25, 27, 30, 32, 37; Isaiah 7:1, 4, 5, 9; 8:6). REMALIAH

rem-a-li'-a (remalyahu, "whom Yahweh has adorned"): The father of Pekah (2 Kings 15:25 Isaiah 7:4; 8:6). The contemptuous allusion to Pekah as "the son of Remaliah" in Isaiah 7:4 (similarly "the son of Kish," 1 Samuel 10:11) may be a slur on Remaliah's humble origin.

7425. Remalyahu -- father of King Pekah of Isr.
... father of King Pekah of Isr. Transliteration: Remalyahu Phonetic Spelling:
(rem-al-yaw'-hoo) Short Definition: Remaliah. ... NASB Word Usage Remaliah (13). Remaliah. ...
/hebrew/7425.htm - 6k

Ahaz
... "Rezin king of Syria and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel came up to
Jerusalem to war: and they besieged Ahaz." 2 Kings 16:5. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 27 ahaz.htm

How Zachariah Shallum, Menahem Pekahiah and Pekah Took the ...
... years only, after which he was slain with his friends at a feast, by the treachery
of one Pekah, the general of his horse, and the son of Remaliah, who laid ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 11 how zachariah shallum.htm

The Prophet Hosea.
... After a reign of two months, he was slain by Pekah, the son of Remaliah, who held
the government for twenty years (ver.27), and, by his alliance with the kings ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophet hosea.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 7. <. ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

Remaliah (13 Occurrences)
... 6). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. REMALIAH. rem-a ...Remaliah's humble origin.
Multi-Version Concordance Remaliah (13 Occurrences). ...
/r/remaliah.htm - 11k

Remaliah's (3 Occurrences)
...Remaliah's (3 Occurrences). Isaiah 7:5 Because Aram hath counselled evil against
thee, Ephraim also, and the son of Remaliah, saying: (See NIV). ...
/r/remaliah's.htm - 7k

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 ...
/r/remali'ah.htm - 10k

Rezin (11 Occurrences)
... of the kings of Syria who reigned in Damascus (2 Kings 15:37; 2 Kings 16:5-10 Isaiah
7:1; Isaiah 8:4-7). Alona with Pekah, the son of Remaliah, who reigned 20 ...
/r/rezin.htm - 13k

Pekah (11 Occurrences)
... Open-eyed, the son of Remaliah a captain in the army of Pekahiah, king of Israel,
whom he slew, with the aid of a band of Gileadites, and succeeded (BC 758) on ...
/p/pekah.htm - 19k

Uzzi'ah (26 Occurrences)
... 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 ...
/u/uzzi'ah.htm - 13k

Jotham (26 Occurrences)
... situation at his death is thus described: "In those days Yahweh began to send against
Judah Rezin the king of Syria, and Pekah the son of Remaliah" (2 Kings 15 ...
/j/jotham.htm - 25k

Overpower (11 Occurrences)
... 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. ...
/o/overpower.htm - 10k

Pekahiah (4 Occurrences)
... The chief conspirator was Pekah, son of Remaliah, one of his captains, with
whom, as agent in the crime, were associated 50 Gileadites. ...
/p/pekahiah.htm - 10k

Conspired (32 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 15:25 Pekah the son of Remaliah, his captain, conspired against him, and
struck him in Samaria, in the castle of the king's house, with Argob and Arieh ...
/c/conspired.htm - 16k

Who was King Hoshea in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who was King Jotham in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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