חִזְקִיָּהוּ

From the study of Isaiah 36:1

Range of meaning

A compound name made from the root ḥ-z-q, 'be strong, take hold, make firm', plus -yahu, a short form of YHWH. Possible meanings are 'YHWH strengthens', 'YHWH has strengthened' or 'YHWH is my strength'. The same root covers making defences strong (to repair or reinforce walls: 2 Chr 32:5, 'he strengthened himself').

Against the English

English 'Hezekiah' (through the Greek Ezekias) is just a label, and readers lose the meaning that the name carried for Hebrew ears.

Used elsewhere in the period

Spelled ḥzqyhw in the Hebrew Bible, and also in the shorter form Ḥizqiyyah. A royal seal impression (bulla) reading 'belonging to Hezekiah [son of] Ahaz, king of Judah' was found in the Ophel excavations in Jerusalem (published 2015). Sennacherib's annals give his name as Ḫazaqiyau of Judah.

From the study of Isaiah 38:2

Range of meaning

A personal name formed from the verb ḥāzaq ('be strong, make strong') and the short divine name -yāhû. It means 'Yah strengthens' or 'Yah is my strength'. Isaiah and Kings use the long form. The name is also attested outside the Bible: Assyrian royal records of Sennacherib name 'Hazaqiyau of Judah', and a clay seal impression reading 'belonging to Hezekiah [son of] Ahaz, king of Judah' was found in excavations on Jerusalem's Ophel in 2015.

Against the English

English 'Hezekiah' (through Greek Ezekias and Latin Ezechias) hides the meaning of the name.

Used elsewhere in the period

Sennacherib's annals (Taylor/Rassam prisms) for the campaign of 701 BC; the Ophel seal impression; 2 Kgs 18–20; 2 Chr 29–32; Isa 36–39.