Lexical Summary
Chizqiyyah or Chizqiyyahu or Yechizqiyyah or Yechizqiyyahu: Hezekiah
Original Word:חִזְקִיָּה
Part of Speech:Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration:Chizqiyah
Pronunciation:khiz-kee-YAH or yeh-khiz-kee-YAH
Phonetic Spelling:(khiz-kee-yaw')
KJV: Hezekiah, Hizkiah, Hizkijah
NASB:Hezekiah, Hizkiah
Word Origin:[fromH2388 (חָזַק - strong) andH3050 (יָהּ - LORD)]
1. strengthened of Jah
2. Chizkijah, a king of Judah, also the name of two other Israelites
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Hezekiah, Hizkiah, Hizkijah
Or Chizqiyahuw {khiz-kee-yaw'-hoo}; also Ychizqiyah {yekh-iz-kee-yaw'}; or Ychizqiyahuw {yekh-iz-kee-yaw'-hoo}; fromchazaq andYahh; strengthened of Jah; Chizkijah, a king of Judah, also the name of two other Israelites -- Hezekiah, Hizkiah, Hizkijah. CompareYchizqiyah.
see HEBREWchazaq
see HEBREWYahh
see HEBREWYchizqiyah
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
chazaq and
YahDefinition"Yah has strengthened," a king of Judah, also several other Isr.
NASB TranslationHezekiah (127), Hizkiah (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
, , ,
(hath strengthened,stengtheneth; = Assyrian–aza‡i(i)au, SchrCOT on2 Kings 18:1ff., JägerBAS i, 469; compare proper name on seal GannJAs 1883 Feb. — Mar., 134 No. 7; — on formative see LagBN 134) —
,son of Ahaz, King of Judah, seldom2 Kings 18:1,10,14 (twice in verse);2 Kings 18:15,16 (twice in verse), alsoProverbs 25:1 ; elsewhere in 2Kings (exceptProverbs 20:10) :Proverbs 16:20;Proverbs 18:9 34t.,2 Kings 18-21 ""Isaiah 36:1 31t.,Isaiah 36-39; alsoJeremiah 26:18,19;1 Chronicles 3:13; 2Chronicles 29:18,27; 30:24; 32:15; in Chronicles use.1 Chronicles 4:41; 2Chronicles 28:27 35t. 2 Chron 29-33; also2 Kings 20:10;Jeremiah 15:4, and in titleIsaiah 1:1;Hosea 1:1;Micah 1:1 (if in these three be not text error for ).
great-great-grandfather of prophet ZephaniahZephaniah 1:1, perhaps =
() man of royal Davidic line1 Chronicles 3:23 probably near time of Char.
, () head of a family of returned exilesEzra 2:16 =Nehemiah 7:21, compare alsoNehemiah 10:18.
an Ephraimite, Ahaz's time 2 Chronicles 28:12.
Topical Lexicon
Name and MeaningHezekiah (חִזְקִיָּה, also rendered Hizkiah or Hizkijah) means “Yahweh strengthens.” The form is applied about 130 times to one pre-eminent king of Judah and to several lesser-known individuals, each occurrence underscoring the sustaining power of the LORD.
Occurrences and Distribution
The great majority appear in the narratives of2 Kings 18–20,2 Chronicles 28–32, andIsaiah 36–39. Prophetic superscriptions (Hosea 1:1;Micah 1:1) and historical retrospectives (Jeremiah 26:18) cite his reign, while genealogical and post-exilic lists (1 Chronicles 3:23; 4:39; 5:24; 9:12;Ezra 2:16;Nehemiah 7:21; 12:16) preserve the name among Israel’s clans.Proverbs 25:1 links him to literary activity.
Hezekiah King of Judah: Historical Setting
Succeeding his idolatrous father Ahaz, Hezekiah began to reign at twenty-five (2 Kings 18:2) over a Judah threatened by the Assyrian empire. Contemporary prophets included Isaiah, Micah, and Hosea, whose messages resonated with his reforms.
Religious Reforms and Revival
“He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father David had done” (2 Chronicles 29:2). Immediately he:
• reopened, cleansed, and rededicated the Temple (2 Chronicles 29)
• restored Levitical praise and priestly sacrifice (29:25–30)
• invited all Israel to a grand Passover (30:1–27)
• demolished high places, sacred pillars, and Nehushtan (2 Kings 18:4)
• organized tithes and support for the priesthood (2 Chronicles 31:4–10).
“In everything that he undertook… he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly. So he prospered” (2 Chronicles 31:21).
Political and Military Challenges
Assyria exacted tribute (2 Kings 18:14–16), then besieged Jerusalem under Sennacherib. Hezekiah strengthened walls, armed troops, and diverted the Gihon Spring through the Siloam Tunnel (2 Chronicles 32:30), an engineering feat verified archaeologically.
Deliverance from Assyria
The Assyrian spokesman mocked: “Do not let Hezekiah deceive you” (2 Kings 18:29). The king laid the blasphemous letter before the LORD and prayed (19:14–19). Isaiah declared, “I will defend this city to save it” (19:34). That night the angel of the LORD struck 185 000 troops (19:35). Sennacherib withdrew; Judah was spared, demonstrating that faith triumphs over imperial might.
Illness, Prayer, and Sign
Facing terminal illness, Hezekiah wept and prayed (2 Kings 20:1–3). God granted fifteen additional years and a confirming miracle: the shadow receded on Ahaz’s stairway (20:9–11). His psalm of gratitude is preserved inIsaiah 38:9–20.
Diplomatic Error and Prophecy of Exile
Envoys from Babylon admired his treasure-houses; Hezekiah proudly displayed everything (2 Kings 20:12–15). Isaiah foretold that these riches—and his sons—would be carried off to Babylon (20:16–18). 2 Chronicles notes, “Hezekiah’s heart was proud… but he humbled himself” (2 Chronicles 32:25–26), averting immediate wrath.
Literary Legacy
“These are additional proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah compiled” (Proverbs 25:1). His scribes preserved inspired wisdom, linking his reign to the canonical formation of Scripture.
Minor Figures Named Hezekiah
• Simeonite leader settling pastureland (1 Chronicles 4:39)
• Reubenite warrior (1 Chronicles 5:24)
• Descendant of Jeconiah (1 Chronicles 3:23)
• Post-exilic priest (1 Chronicles 9:12;Nehemiah 12:16)
• Family patriarchs among returnees (Ezra 2:16;Nehemiah 7:21)
Prophetic References
Hosea 1:1 andMicah 1:1 date their messages to his reign, attesting the spiritual climate.Jeremiah 26:18 recalls Hezekiah’s positive response to Micah, illustrating that repentance can stay judgment.
Messianic Lineage
Matthew 1:10 lists Hezekiah in the royal genealogy of Jesus Christ, anchoring the Messiah in the line of a reforming king who trusted God wholeheartedly.
Typological and Theological Themes
1. True reform eradicates idolatry and restores ordained worship.
2. Prayer is decisive in national crisis (James 5:16 echoed in2 Kings 19).
3. God defends His remnant for His name’s sake (Isaiah 37:35).
4. Prosperity tests humility; pride invites discipline.
5. Preservation of Scripture is a royal duty, exemplified by Hezekiah’s scribes.
Lessons for Ministry
• Courageous obedience can ignite broad-based revival.
• Spiritual leadership pairs practical action (engineering, administration) with fervent prayer.
• Even seasoned believers must guard against complacency and pride.
• Reliance on the LORD, not political alliances, secures lasting security.
Key References
2 Kings 18–20;2 Chronicles 29–32;Isaiah 36–39;Hosea 1:1;Micah 1:1;Proverbs 25:1;Jeremiah 26:18;Matthew 1:10.
Forms and Transliterations
וְחִזְקִיָּ֛ה וחזקיה חִזְקִיָּ֑ה חִזְקִיָּ֑הוּ חִזְקִיָּ֔ה חִזְקִיָּ֔הוּ חִזְקִיָּ֖ה חִזְקִיָּ֖הוּ חִזְקִיָּ֗ה חִזְקִיָּ֗הוּ חִזְקִיָּ֙הוּ֙ חִזְקִיָּ֛הוּ חִזְקִיָּ֜ה חִזְקִיָּ֜הוּ חִזְקִיָּ֣ה חִזְקִיָּ֣הוּ חִזְקִיָּ֤הוּ חִזְקִיָּ֥ה חִזְקִיָּ֥הוּ חִזְקִיָּ֧הוּ חִזְקִיָּ֨הוּ חִזְקִיָּ֬ה חִזְקִיָּֽהוּ׃ חִזְקִיָּהוּ֒ חזקיה חזקיהו חזקיהו׃ יְחִזְקִיָּ֔הוּ יְחִזְקִיָּ֖ה יְחִזְקִיָּ֖הוּ יְחִזְקִיָּ֗הוּ יְחִזְקִיָּ֙הוּ֙ יְחִזְקִיָּ֛הוּ יְחִזְקִיָּ֜הוּ יְחִזְקִיָּ֡הוּ יְחִזְקִיָּ֣הוּ יְחִזְקִיָּ֤הוּ יְחִזְקִיָּ֥הֽוּ יְחִזְקִיָּ֥הוּ יְחִזְקִיָּ֨הוּ יְחִזְקִיָּֽהוּ׃ יחזקיה יחזקיהו יחזקיהו׃ לְחִזְקִיָּ֑ה לְחִזְקִיָּ֖ה לְחִזְקִיָּ֣הוּ לִֽיחִזְקִיָּ֖ה לִֽיחִזְקִיָּ֖הוּ לִֽיחִזְקִיָּ֛הוּ לחזקיה לחזקיהו ליחזקיה ליחזקיהו chizkiYah chizkiYahu ḥiz·qî·yā·hū ḥiz·qî·yāh ḥizqîyāh ḥizqîyāhū lə·ḥiz·qî·yā·hū lə·ḥiz·qî·yāh lechizkiYah lechizkiYahu ləḥizqîyāh ləḥizqîyāhū lî·ḥiz·qî·yā·hū lî·ḥiz·qî·yāh lichizkiYah lichizkiYahu lîḥizqîyāh lîḥizqîyāhū vechizkiYah wə·ḥiz·qî·yāh wəḥizqîyāh yə·ḥiz·qî·yā·hū yə·ḥiz·qî·yāh yechizkiYah yechizkiYahu yəḥizqîyāh yəḥizqîyāhū
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