Who was Hizkiah in the Bible?

Hizkiah was a descendant of King David through the royal line of Jeconiah (also known as Jehoiachin). He is listed in the genealogy of Jesus Christ in the Gospel of Matthew, showing his place in the lineage leading to the Messiah (Matthew 1:12-13).

Why is Hizkiah significant in the Bible?

Hizkiah's significance lies in his role as a vital link in the Davidic line, which God promised would endure forever (2 Samuel 7:16). His inclusion in Jesus's genealogy confirms the Messiah's legal right to the throne of David, fulfilling Old Testament prophecy.

What do we know about Hizkiah's life?

The Bible does not record specific events from Hizkiah's life. His mention is purely genealogical, identifying him as the father of Nahum and a son of Neariah within the post-exilic community (1 Chronicles 3:22-23).

Hizkiah

Old TestamentDivided MonarchyMaleSon of neariah

Hizkiah was one of the descendants of King David through the line of Jeconiah.

Hizkiah

Biography

Hizkiah was a member of the royal Davidic lineage, listed among the descendants of Jeconiah (also known as Jehoiachin) in the post-exilic genealogy recorded in 1 Chronicles 3:23. As a son of Neariah, he belonged to a generation of the house of David that continued the royal bloodline during the period following the Babylonian exile. Though no recorded deeds or speeches are attributed to him, his inclusion in the Davidic genealogy places him in the critical chain of ancestry that maintained the covenant promise made to David, that his throne would endure forever. His name, meaning "strength of the LORD" in Hebrew, reflects the theophoric naming conventions common in this period. He represents the countless unnamed individuals whose lives quietly sustained the continuity of Israel's royal line.

Significance

Hizkiah's significance lies entirely in his place within the unbroken chain of Davidic descent, a lineage of profound theological importance. God had promised David in 2 Samuel 7:12–16 that his dynasty would endure forever. Even during periods of exile and political collapse, the preservation of these names in Scripture demonstrates God's faithfulness to that covenant. Hizkiah serves as a quiet witness to divine continuity, the fact that the Messiah would come through David's line required each generation of descendants to be preserved and recorded. His name, meaning "strength of the LORD," itself echoes the undergirding power that sustained the royal line through adversity and displacement.

Verse Appearances (1)

1Chr

1Chr 3:23

References

Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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