16 Facts About Hezekiah

Hezekiah was king of Judah during the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem by Sennacherib in 701 BCE.

The historical accuracy of King Hezekiah's reign is a topic of academic discussion, with scholars debating the reforms and Assyrian events based on textual, archaeological, and external evidence.

Hezekiah is considered a very righteous king in both the Second Book of Kings and the Second Book of Chronicles.

Hezekiah is one of the more prominent kings of Judah mentioned in the Bible and is one of the kings mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew.

Hezekiah married Hephzibah, died from natural causes in c 687 BCE aged 54, and was succeeded by his son, Manasseh.

Some writers have proposed that Hezekiah served as coregent with his father Ahaz for about 14 years.

In place of the idolatry, Hezekiah centralized the worship of the sole God at the Temple in Jerusalem.

Hezekiah defeated the Philistines, "as far as Gaza and its territory", and resumed the Passover pilgrimage and the tradition of inviting the scattered tribes of Israel to take part in a Passover festival.

Mathys suggests that Hezekiah, being unable to restore the United Monarchy by political means, used the invitation to the northern tribes as a final religious "attempt to restore the unity of the cult".

The Assyrians recorded that Sennacherib lifted his siege of Jerusalem after Hezekiah paid Sennacherib tribute.

Hezekiah made at least two major preparations that would help Jerusalem to resist conquest: the construction of the Siloam Tunnel and construction of the Broad Wall.

Hezekiah's story is one of the best to cross-reference with the rest of the Near Eastern world's historical documents.

Archaeological findings like the Hezekiah seal led scholars to surmise that the ancient Judahite kingdom had a highly developed administrative system.

Hezekiah is considered the model of those who put their trust in the Lord.

Hezekiah is called the "restorer of the study of Halakha" in the schools and is said to have planted a sword at the door of the beth midrash, declaring that he who would not study Halakha should be struck with the weapon.

Menachot 109b tells of Hezekiah encouraging others to keep their faith:.