Ἐζεκίας (Ezekias)
Ezekias
Hezekiah
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The name Ezekias refers to Hezekiah, the twelfth king of Judah who reigned from approximately 727 to 686 BC. This proper noun appears only twice in the New Testament, both within the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1:9-10. Its presence there links the Messiah directly to a monarch known for his religious reforms and trust in God during times of national crisis.
Etymologically, the name derives from the Hebrew Chizqiyahu, meaning "strength of Jehovah." This composition highlights a theological theme common in biblical naming: attributing human capability or royal authority to divine support. By including Hezekiah in Matthew’s list, the text underscores Jesus’ legitimate descent from the Davidic line and his connection to Israel’s history.
While the New Testament does not narrate Hezekiah’s deeds, his inclusion serves as a bridge between the Old Covenant kings and the ultimate King. The name itself functions as a reminder that true strength originates from God, a truth embodied in the lineage leading to Christ.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When you read the name Hezekiah in Matthew’s genealogy, it is easy to skip over it as just another link in a long chain. Yet this name carries weight. It means “Yahweh strengthens,” pointing back to a king who trusted God when Jerusalem faced invasion. His life reminds us that human strength is not self-generated but received from the Lord.
Matthew includes him to show that Jesus inherits more than royal titles; He inherits a history of faithfulness amid fear. This lineage tells us that God works through real people, with real struggles, to bring about His promises. We are part of that same story, called to rely on divine strength rather than our own ability.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Hezekiah;1×
- Hezekiah1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Ἑζεκίας1×
- Ἑζεκίαν·1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 1:9
Uzziah became the father of Jotham. Jotham became the father of Ahaz. Ahaz became the father of Hezekiah.
This verse places Hezekiah in the direct line from Ahaz, highlighting a transition from a faithless father to a son known for trusting God.
-
Matthew 1:10
Hezekiah became the father of Manasseh. Manasseh became the father of Amon. Amon became the father of Josiah.
Here the genealogy moves from Hezekiah to Manasseh, showing that even flawed descendants are included in the lineage of the Messiah.