Hezekiah

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Hezekiah was the king of Judah, the son of Ahaz, and the thirteenth king in the Hebrew Bible. Born around 741 BC, he ruled mainly from about 716/715 BC to 687 BC, possibly sharing the throne with his father for part of that time. His name means “Yahweh strengthens.”

He is known for religious reforms and for trying to unite Judah’s worship around the God of Israel. He repaired and purified the Temple in Jerusalem, removed idols, and centralized worship in the capital. He also removed the bronze serpent that Moses had made, which had become an object of worship. He promoted the Passover festival and worked to strengthen the priesthood.

During his reign, the northern kingdom of Israel fell to the Assyrians (around 722 BC). Hezekiah is best remembered for defending Jerusalem when the Assyrian army under Sennacherib besieged the city in 701 BC. He fortified the city walls, built a defensive ramp known as the Broad Wall, and had a tunnel dug to bring fresh water from outside the city walls (the Siloam Tunnel).

Sources agree that the Assyrian siege did not end with Jerusalem’s capture. The biblical account says Jerusalem survived through divine intervention after Hezekiah’s preparations, while the Assyrian records claim he paid tribute. Modern scholars note that ancient kings often exaggerated or framed events differently, so details vary.

Archaeology has added to the story. In 2015, a clay seal was found that reads “Belonging to Hezekiah, son of Ahaz, king of Judah,” the first such seal found in an excavation. Other finds, like the Siloam Tunnel inscription, show the high level of organization in Hezekiah’s kingdom. Hezekiah died around 687 BC and was succeeded by his son Manasseh. Overall, he is remembered as a righteous king who trusted in God during a time of great danger.