Ezekias

Ezekias is a form of Hezekiah used in the Greek Bible, as well as some English translations of the New Testament. The name originates from the Hebrew Ḥizqiyahu, which means "Yahweh strengthens," from the roots ḥazaq (to strengthen) and yah (referring to the Hebrew God).

Biblical Context

In the Hebrew Bible, Hezekiah was a king of Judah who reigned in the late 8th and early 7th centuries BC. He is considered one of the most significant kings, noted for his religious reforms that centralized worship in Jerusalem and abolished idolatry. His reign is extensively documented in biblical texts and Assyrian records. The name appears in the genealogy of Zephaniah the prophet. The Greek form Ezekias is used in the Septuagint and some English versions of the New Testament when citing Old Testament passages or genealogies.

Notable Bearers

The most notable bearer is King Hezekiah of Judah, son of Ahaz, who reigned from around 716 to 687 BC. He is famed for his trust in God during the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem by Sennacherib in 701 BC. An alternative spelling, Hizkiah, appears in biblical genealogies.

Related Names

Variants include Hezekiah (Biblical), Hizkiah (Biblical), Chizqiyahu (Biblical Hebrew), and Ezechias (Biblical Latin).

• Meaning: Yahweh strengthens
• Origin: Hebrew
• Type: Biblical given name
• Usage Regions: English Bible, Greek Bible