Hezekiah
Hezekiah was a significant king of Judah who reigned from 715 to 686 B.C.E., noted for his efforts to restore both political independence and religious purity to his kingdom. Succeeding his father Ahaz, Hezekiah sought to liberate Judah from Assyrian dominance, which had greatly constrained the nation's autonomy. His reign is marked by ambitious religious reforms aimed at centralizing worship in Jerusalem and removing foreign influences, particularly those associated with Assyrian deities. These reforms gained momentum as the Assyrian Empire's power waned, allowing Hezekiah to pursue a more nationalistic agenda.
Despite his endeavors to reunite the northern kingdom of Israel with southern Judah, Hezekiah faced significant challenges, including a major invasion by the Assyrian king Sennacherib in 701 B.C.E. While many cities fell, Jerusalem was not captured due in part to Hezekiah’s defensive preparations, including the fortification of city walls and the construction of a water tunnel. While Hezekiah's aspirations for political independence did not yield long-lasting results, his dedication to Judaism and administrative acumen were remarkable aspects of his legacy. His story reflects the complexities of leadership during a turbulent period in ancient Near Eastern history.
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Hezekiah
Related civilizations: Judah, Israel
Major role/position: King of Judah
Life
When Hezekiah (hehz-uh-KI-uh) succeeded his father Ahaz to Judah’s throne in 715 b.c.e., he persevered to free his people from the Assyrian yoke that had sorely stifled their political and religious independence. The biblical editor in 2 Kings 18 extols Hezekiah for his nationalistic bent in foreign policy and far-reaching religious reform mandating centralized worship in Jerusalem. Circumspect in its origins, this reform escalated once it became obvious that Assyria’s newly challenged status in the Near East rendered it incapable of further intrusion into Judaean affairs. Intent on purging Judah’s worship of any foreign dross, Hezekiah initiated a reform that entailed a repudiation of various Assyrian gods that his father in his vassalage had tolerated.
Hezekiah’s dream of reuniting northern Israel and southern Judah into a single state went unrealized. In 701 b.c.e., Assyrian King Sennacherib invaded Judah and conquered many of Hezekiah’s fortified cities. Jerusalem, Judah’s capital, was severely besieged but not taken. Jerusalem was aided by Hezekiah’s earlier resolve to repair its walls and construct a new water tunnel and by the fact that Sennacherib had business elsewhere.
Influence
Whereas Hezekiah’s bid for Judah’s independence saw no lasting results, his fidelity to Judaism was intense, and his talent as an administrator and strategist was extraordinary.
Bibliography
Coogan, Michael D., ed. The Oxford History of the Biblical World. New York: Oxford University Press, 1998.
Miller, J. Maxwell, and John H. Hayes. A History of Ancient Israel and Judah. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1986.
Provan, Iain. Hezekiah and the Book of Kings. New York: Walter de Gruyter, 1988.