תִּרְהָקָה (tir.ha.qah)
tir.ha.qah
Tirhakah
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Tirhakah refers to a specific historical figure, the King of Ethiopia and Egypt who ruled during the late eighth century BC. In the biblical narrative, he appears as a major political player in the struggle between Judah and the Assyrian Empire. The sources identify him as the ruler of the Twenty-Fifth Dynasty, an Ethiopian line that controlled Egypt at this time.
His name surfaces in two key passages: 2 Kings 19:9 and Isaiah 37:9. In these texts, he is mentioned while King Hezekiah of Judah faces the threat of Sennacherib’s army. The biblical account presents Tirhakah as a potential ally or military force that might intervene against Assyria, adding a layer of geopolitical tension to the siege of Jerusalem.
Etymologically, the name is interpreted in traditional sources as meaning "he searched out the pious" or "he searched out the waiter." While this linguistic breakdown offers insight into the name’s construction, its primary significance in Scripture remains historical. Tirhakah serves as a reminder of the complex international alliances that surrounded Judah during the Divided Monarchy, highlighting how faith and politics intersected in ancient Near Eastern history.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Tirhakah appears in the Bible not as a theological concept, but as a real historical figure. He was the King of Ethiopia and Egypt who ruled during the late eighth century BC. His presence in Scripture reminds us that God’s people never lived in isolation. Instead, they navigated complex political landscapes where empires clashed and alliances shifted.
When King Hezekiah faced the threat of Sennacherib’s army, news arrived about Tirhakah marching to war. This moment shows how human history intersects with divine purpose. The biblical writers record these events without hiding the fear or uncertainty that surrounded Jerusalem. They show us that God works through the movements of nations and the decisions of kings.
For your faith today, this word invites trust in God’s sovereignty over current events. It encourages you to see history not as random chaos, but as a narrative under God’s watch. You can find peace knowing that no political shift catches Him by surprise.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Tirhakah2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- תִּרְהָ֤קָה2×
Key Verses
-
II Kings 19:9
When he heard it said of Tirhakah king of Ethiopia, “Behold, he has come out to fight against you,” he sent messengers again to Hezekiah, saying,
This verse highlights the geopolitical tension by noting Sennacherib's reaction to Tirhakah's advance, showing how external military threats influenced Judah's spiritual crisis.
-
Isaiah 37:9
He heard news concerning Tirhakah king of Ethiopia, “He has come out to fight against you.” When he heard it, he sent messengers to Hezekiah, saying,
The parallel account in Isaiah confirms that the news of Tirhakah’s approach was a key factor in Sennacherib’s attempt to intimidate Hezekiah into surrender.