Who was Hephzi-bah?

Hephzi-bah (Hebrew: חֶפְצִי־בָהּ, Chephtsiy-bah), meaning “My delight is in her,” was the wife of King Hezekiah and the mother of King Manasseh of Judah. Her name is mentioned only once in Scripture, in 2 Kings 21:1, which reads, “Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-five years. His mother’s name was Hephzibah.”

Though the Bible offers minimal direct information about Hephzi-bah herself, her name and the context in which it appears carry theological and prophetic weight. Her identity as the queen mother of one of Judah’s most notorious kings stands in contrast to the redemptive beauty later associated with her name in Isaiah 62.

Biblical References

• 2 Kings 21:1 – Hephzi-bah is named as the mother of Manasseh.

• Isaiah 62:4 – The name “Hephzibah” is used symbolically to describe restored Jerusalem.

Cross-References:

• 2 Chronicles 33:1-20 – Expanded account of King Manasseh’s reign.

• 2 Kings 20:21 – Death of Hezekiah and ascension of Manasseh.

• Isaiah 1:21-26 – God’s lament over Jerusalem’s unfaithfulness and His promise of restoration.

Hephzi-bah in the Biblical Narrative

Hephzi-bah was likely the queen during the closing years of King Hezekiah’s godly reign. Her son Manasseh, however, led Judah into profound idolatry, reversing the reforms his father had enacted. While we are not told anything about Hephzi-bah’s personal beliefs or actions, her position as queen and mother of the king would have made her a figure of significance in the royal court.

The tragedy of her son’s wickedness—sacrificing children, promoting idol worship, and defiling the temple (2 Kings 21:2-7)—casts a shadow over the mention of her name. Yet centuries later, God redeems the very name “Hephzibah” in Isaiah 62:4, applying it symbolically to Zion, saying:
“No longer will they call you Deserted, or name your land Desolate. But you will be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah; for the Lord will take delight in you, and your land will be married.”
This prophetic reuse of her name reflects God’s mercy and restoration, even after devastating failure.

What It Means for Today’s Christians

Hephzi-bah’s story reminds Christians of the tension between legacy and personal faith. Despite being the wife of a godly king and the mother of a wayward one, Hephzi-bah’s name is later used by God as a picture of delight and restoration. This teaches that God’s purposes transcend even the most broken human stories.

In families, we often carry both burdens and blessings from those who came before us. Yet, our individual relationship with God is not determined by our heritage, but by faith in His grace. Whether one’s past is stained by sin (like Manasseh) or adorned by righteousness (like Hezekiah), God can still bring redemption and joy through repentance and trust in Him.

How Her Story Points to Jesus and the Gospel

The redemptive use of the name “Hephzibah” in Isaiah 62 is a clear foreshadowing of the gospel. The passage speaks of God’s delight in His people and His restoration of what was once broken. Just as Jerusalem had been desolate because of sin, but was promised renewal and marriage (symbolizing covenant relationship), so too Christ brings restoration and joy to sinners.

Through Jesus Christ, the shame of our sin is covered, and we are given a new name—beloved, chosen, delighted in. In this, the name “Hephzibah” becomes not just a person but a prophetic emblem of God’s saving grace and covenant love toward His people.

Broader Biblical Themes

1. God’s Sovereignty Over History

Even in the reign of wicked kings like Manasseh, God remained sovereign. He later used Manasseh‘s repentance (2 Chronicles 33:12-13) to show that even the worst sinner can be restored.

2. The Power of Names

Names in Scripture often carry prophetic or symbolic meanings. “Hephzi-bah” becomes a name of promise and joy, reminding us that God can redeem what was once a source of sorrow.

3. Restoration After Judgment

The use of Hephzi-bah in Isaiah 62 links directly with God‘s theme of restoration. Though His people were judged for their sin, they were not forsaken. God‘s love remains steadfast.

4. Motherhood and Legacy

Though Hephzi-bah bore Manasseh, one of Judah‘s most wicked kings, her story reflects the mystery of how God can work redemptively through broken family lines. Ultimately, Jesus would come from this very line (Matthew 1:10).

Reflection Questions

1. What does the story of Hephzi-bah and her son Manasseh teach us about generational influence and personal accountability?

2. How does the name “Hephzibah” being used symbolically in Isaiah 62 encourage you about God’s ability to restore brokenness?

3. In what ways have you seen God bring beauty out of painful or shameful parts of your past?

4. How does this story challenge our assumptions about who God chooses to redeem and restore?

5. How can Christians today live in the identity of being “delighted in” by God?

In summary, Hephzi-bah may only briefly appear in Scripture, but her name carries great theological weight. From being the mother of a sinful king to becoming a symbol of joy and restoration, her story reveals the heart of a redeeming God who delights in His people through Jesus Christ.