Jehizkiah יְחִזְקִיָּה
Ephraimite leader who opposed taking Judean captives
Who is Jehizkiah in the Bible?
Jehizkiah was an Ephraimite leader mentioned in 2 Chronicles 28:12 who opposed the Israelite army's plan to enslave Judean captives during King Ahaz's reign. When the northern kingdom's forces returned from a successful military campaign against Judah with numerous prisoners and plunder, Jehizkiah, along with fellow leaders Azariah, Berechiah, and Amasa, confronted the army and argued against bringing the captives into Samaria. He warned that taking the captives would increase Israel's guilt before God and further provoke divine anger, since the military campaign itself had already angered the Lord. His intervention was successful, convincing the army to release the captives and provide them with clothing and food before sending them back to Judah. Jehizkiah's actions illustrate the biblical principle that obedience to God's moral law takes precedence over military conquest and the seizure of prisoners of war.
Biography
Jehizkiah is mentioned in 2Ch.28.12 as one of the leaders of the tribe of Ephraim who opposed the actions of the Israelite army during the reign of King Ahaz of Judah. The army had just returned from a successful campaign against Judah, bringing back a large number of captives and plunder. However, Jehizkiah, along with Azariah, Berechiah, and Amasa, confronted the army and urged them not to bring the captives into Samaria, warning that this would only add to Israel's guilt before God. They argued that the army's actions had already provoked God's anger and that taking the captives would further incur his wrath. As a result of their intervention, the army released the captives, provided them with clothing and food, and sent them back to Judah. Jehizkiah's actions demonstrate his concern for righteousness and his willingness to stand up against wrongdoing, even in the face of military success.
Family
In Scripture
1 biblical book2 Chronicles 1 verse
- 2 Chronicles 28:12
"Then some of the leaders of the Ephraimites—Azariah son of Jehohanan, Berechiah son of Meshillemoth, Jehizkiah son of Shallum, and Amasa son of Hadlai—stood in opposition to those arriving from the war."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | יְחִזְקִיָּה |
Jehizkiah
Pekah in his war against Ahaz (circa 734 BC).