Introduction:
Ezechias, more commonly known as Hezekiah, was the 13th king of Judah, renowned for his faithfulness to God and his significant religious reforms. His reign is documented in the books of 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, and Isaiah. Hezekiah is celebrated for his efforts to restore the worship of Yahweh and his reliance on God during times of national crisis.

Historical Context:
Hezekiah reigned during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, approximately from 715 to 686 BC. He was the son of King Ahaz, a ruler who led Judah into idolatry and made alliances with Assyria. In contrast, Hezekiah sought to break free from Assyrian dominance and restore the nation’s covenant relationship with God.

Religious Reforms:
Hezekiah is best known for his comprehensive religious reforms. He reopened the Temple in Jerusalem, which his father had desecrated, and reinstituted the Passover, inviting all Israel to participate (2 Chronicles 30:1-5). He destroyed the high places, cut down the Asherah poles, and broke into pieces the bronze serpent Moses had made, for the Israelites had begun to worship it (2 Kings 18:4). These actions demonstrated his commitment to purifying the worship of Yahweh and centralizing it in Jerusalem.

Trust in God:
Hezekiah's faith was tested when the Assyrian king Sennacherib invaded Judah. In response, Hezekiah sought the counsel of the prophet Isaiah and fervently prayed for deliverance. The Lord answered by sending an angel who struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers, forcing Sennacherib to withdraw (2 Kings 19:35-36). This miraculous deliverance underscored Hezekiah's reliance on God rather than foreign alliances.

Illness and Recovery:
Hezekiah's life was marked by a significant personal trial when he fell gravely ill. The prophet Isaiah informed him that he would not recover, but Hezekiah prayed earnestly, and God granted him an additional fifteen years of life (2 Kings 20:1-6). As a sign of this promise, the shadow on the sundial of Ahaz moved backward ten steps (2 Kings 20:9-11).

Diplomatic Relations:
Hezekiah's reign also involved diplomatic interactions, notably with Babylon. After his recovery, envoys from Babylon visited Hezekiah, and he showed them all his treasures. This act of pride led to Isaiah prophesying that all these riches would one day be carried off to Babylon (2 Kings 20:12-18).

Legacy:
Hezekiah is remembered as one of Judah's most righteous kings, whose heart was fully devoted to God. The Bible commends him, stating, "Hezekiah trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel. No king of Judah was like him, either before him or after him" (2 Kings 18:5). His reign is a testament to the blessings of faithfulness and the dangers of pride.

References in Scripture:
· 2 Kings 18-20
· 2 Chronicles 29-32
· Isaiah 36-39

Hezekiah's account serves as an enduring example of the power of prayer, the importance of religious purity, and the consequences of pride. His life and reign continue to inspire believers to trust in God and uphold His commandments.EZECHIAS; EZECIAS

ez-e-ki'-as, ez-e-si'-as.

See EZEKIAS (3).

Of Meditation --The First Degree of Prayer or Mystical Theology.
... Ezechias wishing to express in his canticle the attentive consideration which he
makes of his evil: I will cry, says he, like a young swallow, I will meditate ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter ii of meditationthe first.htm

How, While the Whole Heart is Employed in Sacred Love, yet one May ...
... 443] and the holy Word testifies that he had truly followed God with his whole heart;
and yet, notwithstanding this, it affirms also of Ezechias, that after ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter iii how while the.htm

Prophecies of Christ's Sovereignty, Flight into Egypt, &C.
... Or did not David war against them of Moab, and smite the Syrians, Josias guard against
his neighbours, and Ezechias quail at the boasting of Senacherim, and ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/section 36 prophecies of christs.htm

Do You Look for Another? but Daniel Foretells the Exact Time. ...
... and Jerusalem is to stand till His coming, and thenceforth, prophet and vision cease
in Israel.4. David was anointed of old, and Solomon and Ezechias; but then ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/section 39 do you look.htm

Prophecies of the Cross. How These Prophecies are Satisfied in ...
... Was not Samuel born of Elkana, was not David of Jesse, was not Solomon of David,
was not Ezechias of Achaz, was not Josias of Amos, was not Esaias of Amos, was ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/section 35 prophecies of the.htm

Whether Angels Grieve for the Ills of those whom they Guard?
... Reply to Objection 1: These words of Isaias may be understood of the angels, ie
the messengers, of Ezechias, who wept on account of the words of Rabsaces, as ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether angels grieve for the.htm

Whether Suffrages Profit those who are in Purgatory?
... xx): wherefore the Damascene (Serm.: De his qui in fide dormierunt) quotes as instances
of this the Ninevites, Achab and Ezechias, in whom it is apparent that ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether suffrages profit those who 2.htm

Whether Things Known or Declared Prophetically Can be False?
... Objection 2: Further, Isaias prophesied to Ezechias saying (Is.38:1): "Take order
with thy house, for thou shalt surely die, and shalt not live," and yet ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether things known or declared.htm

Whether it May have Been Lawful by Dispensation to Put Away a Wife ...
... course which is appointed for all cases, as instanced by the sun standing still
at the time of Josue, and by its turning back at the time of Ezechias, and by ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it may have been.htm

Whether the Will of God is Changeable?
... Thus He foretold to Ezechias: "Take order with thy house, for thou shalt die, and
not live" (Is.38:1). Yet this did not take place, since from eternity it was ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the will of god 3.htm

Ezechias
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia EZECHIAS; EZECIAS.
ez-e-ki'-as, ez-e-si'-as. See EZEKIAS (3). ...
/e/ezechias.htm - 6k

Ezecias
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia EZECHIAS; EZECIAS.
ez-e-ki'-as, ez-e-si'-as. See EZEKIAS (3). ...
/e/ezecias.htm - 6k

Ezbon (2 Occurrences)

/e/ezbon.htm - 7k

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