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: [from H2388 (חָזַק - strong) and H3050 (יָהּ - LORD)]

1. strengthened of Jah
2. Chizkijah, a king of Judah, also the name of two other Israelites

Hezekiah, Hizkiah, Hizkijah

Or Chizqiyahuw {khiz-kee-yaw'-hoo}; also Ychizqiyah {yekh-iz-kee-yaw'}; or Ychizqiyahuw {yekh-iz-kee-yaw'-hoo}; from chazaq and Yahh; strengthened of Jah; Chizkijah, a king of Judah, also the name of two other Israelites -- Hezekiah, Hizkiah, Hizkijah. Compare Ychizqiyah.

see HEBREW chazaq

see HEBREW Yahh

see HEBREW Ychizqiyah

Word Origin
from chazaq and Yah
Definition
"Yah has strengthened," a king of Judah, also several other Isr.
NASB Translation
Hezekiah (127), Hizkiah (1).

חִזְקִיָּ֫הוּ, חִזְקִיָּה, יְחִזְקִיָּהוּ, יְחִזְקִיָּה

proper name, masculine (׳י hath strengthened, ׳י stengtheneth; = Assyrian –aza‡i(i)au, Schr^COT on 2 Kings 18:1ff., Jäger^{BAS i, 469}; compare proper name יחזק on seal Gann^{JAs 1883 Feb. — Mar., 134 No. 7}; — on formative see Lag^{BN 134}) —

1 ᵐ5 Εξεκιας, son of Ahaz, King of Judah, seldom חִזְקִיָּה 2 Kings 18:1,10,14 (twice in verse); 2 Kings 18:15,16 (twice in verse), also ׳אַנְשֵׁי ח Proverbs 25:1 ; elsewhere in 2Kings (except Proverbs 20:10) חִזְקִיָּהוּ: Proverbs 16:20; Proverbs 18:9 34t., 2 Kings 18-21 "" Isaiah 36:1 31t., Isaiah 36-39; also Jeremiah 26:18,19; 1 Chronicles 3:13; 2Chronicles 29:18,27; 30:24; 32:15; in Chronicles use. יְחִזְקִיָּחוּ 1 Chronicles 4:41; 2Chronicles 28:27 35t. 2 Chron 29-33; also 2 Kings 20:10; Jeremiah 15:4, and in title Isaiah 1:1; יִחִזְקִיָה Hosea 1:1; Micah 1:1 (if י in these three be not text error for וְ).

2 חִזְקִיָּה great-great-grandfather of prophet Zephaniah Zephaniah 1:1, ᵐ5 τοῦ Εξεκιου, perhaps =

1

3 ᵐ5 Εξεκια(ς), חִזְקִיָּה man of royal Davidic line 1 Chronicles 3:23 probably near time of Char.

4 יְחִזְקִיָּה, ᵐ5 Εξεκια(ς), head of a family of returned exiles Ezra 2:16 = חִזְקִיָּה Nehemiah 7:21, compare also ׳ח Nehemiah 10:18.

5 יְחִזְקִיָּהוּ ᵐ5 Εξεκιας, an Ephraimite, Ahaz's time 2 Chronicles 28:12.

Name and Meaning

Hezekiah (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 of 2 Kings 18–20, 2 Chronicles 28–32, and Isaiah 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 in Isaiah 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 and Micah 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 in 2 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.

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 yəḥizqîyāhūInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts