Who was Ezekias?
Ezekias, also known as Hezekiah, was a faithful king of Judah who reigned during a critical time in Israel‘s history. His name in Hebrew is חִזְקִיָּהוּ (Ḥizqiyyāhû) or חִזְקִיָּה (Ḥizqiyyāh), meaning “Yahweh strengthens” or “The Lord is my strength.” In Greek, as rendered in the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1:9-10, his name is Ἐζεκίας (Ezekias). He was the son of King Ahaz and the father of Manasseh. His reign is detailed in 2 Kings 18-20, 2 Chronicles 29-32, and Isaiah 36-39.
In the New Testament, Ezekias is mentioned in Matthew 1:9-10, where he appears in the genealogy of Jesus Christ:
“Uzziah the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, Hezekiah the father of Manasseh…” (Matthew 1:9-10, NIV)
Ezekias stands as one of the most righteous and God-fearing kings in Judah’s history, known for his reforms, trust in the Lord, and deliverance from the Assyrian threat.
Ezekias in the Bible
Reformation and Revival
When Hezekiah ascended the throne, Judah was in a spiritual and political decline under the reign of his father Ahaz. One of his first acts as king was to cleanse and restore the temple in Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 29). He called the priests and Levites to consecrate themselves and reestablished the worship of Yahweh. He reinstituted the Passover celebration and invited even the remnant from the northern tribes of Israel to join, seeking to reunify the worship of the Lord (2 Chronicles 30).
Trust in God during National Crisis
One of the most defining moments of Hezekiah’s reign was when Sennacherib, king of Assyria, invaded Judah and surrounded Jerusalem (2 Kings 18-19). In the face of overwhelming odds, Hezekiah turned to God in prayer and sought counsel from the prophet Isaiah. God miraculously delivered Jerusalem by sending an angel who struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers in a single night (2 Kings 19:35). This event not only saved Judah but magnified the glory and power of God to the surrounding nations.
Personal Crisis and Healing
Hezekiah also experienced personal crisis when he became mortally ill. God, through Isaiah, told him to set his house in order, for he would die. However, Hezekiah prayed fervently, and God added fifteen years to his life (2 Kings 20:1-6). As a sign, the shadow on the sundial moved backward ten steps.
Spiritual Failure in Later Years
Later in life, Hezekiah displayed pride in showing all his treasures and resources to Babylonian envoys (2 Kings 20:12-19). Isaiah rebuked him, prophesying that the treasures and even some of Hezekiah’s descendants would one day be taken to Babylon. This foreshadowed the coming exile.
What It Means for Today’s Christians
Hezekiah (Ezekias) is a model of faith, reform, and prayer. His actions show how one godly leader can bring about national revival, even after years of spiritual decay. His dependence on God during crisis encourages believers today to trust God amid adversity, whether national, spiritual, or personal.
His story also reminds us of the danger of pride and the importance of finishing well. Despite his great victories, his lapse in showing off his wealth to Babylon revealed a vulnerability to human pride. Christians today are reminded that spiritual success must be coupled with humility and vigilance to the end.
How His Story Points to Jesus and the Gospel
Ezekias is listed in the genealogy of Jesus, revealing the royal lineage of Christ through the line of David (Matthew 1). His life, particularly the themes of deliverance and healing, foreshadows Jesus‘ own mission of spiritual deliverance and restoration. Hezekiah’s reformation anticipated the true and ultimate cleansing of God’s people through Christ, who established the new covenant through His death and resurrection.
Where Hezekiah brought temporary peace and revival, Jesus brings eternal salvation and transformation. The shadow moving backward for Hezekiah’s healing points to the Lord of time and life, Jesus, who overcame death itself.
Broader Biblical Themes
- God’s Sovereignty Over Nations – Hezekiah’s story underscores God’s power to deliver His people from powerful enemies, pointing to His rule over all kingdoms.
- Prayer and Dependence on God – Hezekiah’s turning to the Lord in both national and personal crises is a pattern of sincere prayer and divine intervention.
- Revival and Reformation – A return to faithful worship and the Word of God brings restoration and blessing.
- Human Pride and Divine Discipline – Even the righteous are susceptible to pride, and God disciplines those He loves.
- Messianic Lineage – The presence of Ezekias in Jesus’ genealogy affirms God‘s covenantal promises to David and points to the coming of the true King.
Reflection Questions
- In what areas of your life do you need to trust God as Hezekiah did during crisis?
- How can Hezekiah’s passion for temple worship challenge your own devotion and commitment to God‘s Word and worship?
- What can you learn from Hezekiah’s mistake with the Babylonian envoys about the dangers of pride and self-glory?
- How does Hezekiah’s place in Jesus’ genealogy strengthen your faith in God’s faithfulness to His promises?
- Are you actively seeking spiritual revival in your home, church, or community the way Hezekiah sought it in Judah?
Ezekias, though a brief name in a long genealogy, represents a powerful testimony of faithfulness, reform, prayer, and God’s unshakable covenant plan that leads directly to Jesus Christ, the King of kings.