Who is…
Ahaz
Hebrew: אָחָז —transliteration: Achaz —meaning: “possessor” or “he has grasped”
This is the name of 2 men mentioned in the Old Testament.
Prince Ahaz
He is a grandson of Prince Jonathan, son of King Saul (1 Chronicles 8:35; 9:42). Jonathan was a close friend of David.
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King Ahaz
He is the son and wicked successor of King Jotham, king of the Kingdom of Judah (2 Kings 16; Isaiah 7-9; 2 Chronicles 28).
His life is recorded in 2 Kings 15:38—16:20 and 2 Chronicles 27:9—28:27.
He lived a life of wickedness and idolatry. Notwithstanding the remonstrances and warnings of Isaiah, Hosea, and Micah, he appealed for help against Rezin, king of Damascus, and Pekah, king of Israel, who threatened Jerusalem, to Tiglath-pileser, the king of Assyria, doing great harm to his kingdom and resulting in his own humilating subjection to the Assyrians (2 Kings 16:7, 9; 15:29).
He also introduced his people to many heathen and idolatrous customs (Isaiah 8:19; 38:8; 2 Kings 23:12).
Death of King Ahaz
He died at the age of 35 years, after reigning 16 years (740-724 B.C.), and was succeeded by his son Hezekiah.
Because of his wickedness he was “not brought into the sepulchre of the kings.”
Relatives of King Ahaz
More information
- About idolatry and false gods in the Bible
- King Jotham
- Ahaziah
- What is the Kingdom of Judah (Judea)?
- Who are the Davidic kings?
- About the KINGS in the Bible