Remaliah is a biblical figure known primarily as the father of Pekah, who became the king of Israel. His name appears in the context of the political and military upheavals that characterized the Northern Kingdom during the 8th century BC. Although Remaliah himself is not a central figure in the biblical narrative, his son Pekah played a significant role in the history of Israel, and thus Remaliah is mentioned in relation to these events.

Biblical References

Remaliah is mentioned in several passages within the Old Testament, particularly in the books of 2 Kings and Isaiah. The primary references to Remaliah are found in the context of his son Pekah's reign and the geopolitical dynamics of the time.

1. 2 Kings 15:25, 27: "Then Pekah son of Remaliah, one of his officers, conspired against him, struck him down in Samaria at the citadel of the king’s palace, along with Argob and Arieh. With fifty men of Gilead, Pekah killed him and reigned in his place... In the fifty-second year of Azariah’s reign over Judah, Pekah son of Remaliah became king of Israel, and he reigned in Samaria for twenty years."

2. Isaiah 7:1: "Now it came to pass in the days of Ahaz son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, king of Judah, that Rezin king of Aram and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel marched up to Jerusalem to wage war against it, but they could not overpower it."

3. Isaiah 7:4-5: "Say to him: ‘Calm down and be quiet. Do not be afraid or disheartened over these two smoldering stubs of firewood—over the fierce anger of Rezin and Aram and of the son of Remaliah. For Aram, along with Ephraim and the son of Remaliah, has plotted your ruin, saying,"

Historical and Theological Context

Remaliah's significance in the biblical narrative is largely tied to the actions of his son, Pekah. Pekah's reign was marked by significant political turmoil and alliances that had lasting implications for the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Pekah, the son of Remaliah, is noted for his conspiracy against and assassination of King Pekahiah, which led to his own ascension to the throne. This act of regicide is indicative of the instability and frequent power struggles that plagued the Northern Kingdom during this period.

The alliance between Pekah and Rezin, king of Aram, against the Southern Kingdom of Judah is a notable event during Pekah's reign. This coalition sought to pressure Judah into joining their resistance against the Assyrian Empire. The prophet Isaiah, however, assured King Ahaz of Judah that this alliance would not succeed, referring to Pekah disparagingly as "the son of Remaliah," which may imply a lack of legitimacy or divine favor.

Cultural and Religious Significance

In the biblical narrative, the mention of Remaliah serves to identify Pekah's lineage, which is a common practice in the Scriptures to establish a person's heritage and legitimacy. The repeated reference to Pekah as "the son of Remaliah" in the prophetic literature, particularly in Isaiah, underscores the importance of familial identity in the ancient Near Eastern context.

From a theological perspective, the events involving Remaliah's son highlight the themes of divine sovereignty and judgment. The failure of Pekah's military campaigns against Judah, as prophesied by Isaiah, serves as a testament to God's control over the nations and His protection of the Davidic line in Judah. The narrative underscores the futility of human schemes against the divine will, a recurring theme throughout the biblical text.

Conclusion

While Remaliah himself is not a prominent figure in the biblical account, his mention as the father of Pekah situates him within the larger narrative of Israel's history during a tumultuous period. The legacy of his son Pekah, marked by political intrigue and prophetic judgment, reflects the broader themes of divine providence and the complex interplay of human ambition and divine purpose in the biblical account.2 Kings 15:25,27,30
But Pekah the son of Remaliah, a captain of his, conspired against him, and smote him in Samaria, in the palace of the king's house, with Argob and Arieh, and with him fifty men of the Gileadites: and he killed him, and reigned in his room.
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2 Kings 16:1,5
In the seventeenth year of Pekah the son of Remaliah Ahaz the son of Jotham king of Judah began to reign.
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2 Chronicles 28:6
For Pekah the son of Remaliah slew in Judah an hundred and twenty thousand in one day, which were all valiant men; because they had forsaken the LORD God of their fathers.
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Isaiah 7:1,4
And it came to pass in the days of Ahaz the son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, king of Judah, that Rezin the king of Syria, and Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of Israel, went up toward Jerusalem to war against it, but could not prevail against it.
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Isaiah 8:6
For as much as this people refuses the waters of Shiloah that go softly, and rejoice in Rezin and Remaliah's son;
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