Jecoliah יְכָלְיָהוּ
Mother of King Uzziah (Azariah) of Judah
Who is Jecoliah in the Bible?
Jecoliah was the mother of King Uzziah (also known as Azariah) of Judah, as recorded in 2 Kings 15:2 and 2 Chronicles 26:3. She was from Jerusalem, though little is known about her family background or early life. Her son Uzziah became king at age sixteen and reigned for fifty-two years, earning a reputation as a ruler who did what was right in the Lord's eyes, though he failed to remove the high places of idol worship. Jecoliah's significance in biblical history lies primarily in her role as the mother of one of Judah's most powerful kings, whose reign was marked by military strength and religious reform until his presumptuous act of burning incense in the temple resulted in his affliction with leprosy.
Biography
Jecoliah is mentioned in 2Ki.15.2 and 2Ch.26.3 as the mother of King Uzziah, who is also referred to as Azariah. She was from Jerusalem, but no further information is provided about her background or family. Jecoliah's son Uzziah became king of Judah at the age of sixteen and reigned for fifty-two years. He is described as a king who did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, although he did not remove the high places where people offered sacrifices and burned incense. Uzziah's reign was marked by military successes and a strengthening of Judah's defenses. However, when he attempted to burn incense in the temple, which was a task reserved for the priests, he was struck with leprosy and had to live in isolation until his death. Jecoliah's mention as Uzziah's mother highlights the importance of maternal lineage in the royal succession and the historical record of Judah's kings.
Family
In Scripture
2 biblical books2 Kings 1 verse
- 2 Kings 15:2
"He was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-two years. His mother’s name was Jecoliah; she was from Jerusalem."
2 Chronicles 1 verse
- 2 Chronicles 26:3
"Uzziah was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-two years. His mother’s name was Jecoliah; she was from Jerusalem."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | יְכָלְיָהוּ |
| (same form as previous) | Hebrew | יְכָלְיָהוּ |