Chizkiyahu

Chizkiyahu (Hebrew: חִזְקִיָּהוּ, *Ḥizqiyyāhū*, meaning "Yahweh strengthens") was the 13th and final king of the Kingdom of Judah, ruling from approximately 715 to 687 BCE. He is prominently featured in the Hebrew Bible, particularly in the Books of Kings and Chronicles, as well as the Book of Isaiah, where his reign is associated with significant religious and political reforms.

Chizkiyahu succeeded his father, Ahaz, who had ruled Judah during a period of decline and foreign influence. Unlike his father, Chizkiyahu embraced a policy of religious restoration, dismantling pagan altars and reviving the worship of Yahweh in Jerusalem. He also sought to strengthen Judah’s independence from the Assyrian Empire, which had become a dominant regional power. His most notable diplomatic success came in 701 BCE when the Assyrian king Sennacherib laid siege to Jerusalem. According to biblical accounts, Chizkiyahu’s faith and the prophet Isaiah’s intervention led to the Assyrian army’s withdrawal, sparing Judah from conquest.

Chizkiyahu’s reign is also marked by his efforts to centralize religious authority. He repaired the Temple in Jerusalem, restored its rituals, and encouraged widespread participation in Passover celebrations. His reforms aligned with the prophetic vision of a purified Judah, though some scholars debate the extent of his influence on broader societal changes.

After his death, Chizkiyahu was succeeded by his son Manasseh, whose reign marked a sharp turn toward idolatry and oppression. Chizkiyahu is remembered in Jewish tradition as a model of piety and leadership, though later rabbinic literature also highlights his flaws, such as his initial reluctance to trust Isaiah’s prophecy about the Assyrian retreat. His legacy endures as a symbol of Judah’s resistance against foreign domination and religious revival.