The story of Ahaziah of Israel
Ahaziah of Israel was the son of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel of the northern Kingdom of Israel. He ruled as king of Israel for only one year, from 853�852 BCE. Ahaziah was not well-received by the people of Israel and was described in the Bible as having followed in the evil ways of his parents, Ahab and Jezebel. Ahaziah is most famous for his brief reign as king of Israel, during which he sought the help of King Jehoshaphat of Judah in a military campaign against the Arameans. However, Jehoshaphat refused to support Ahaziah and instead advised him to seek guidance from the prophet Elisha. Ahaziah was later injured in a fall from his balcony and, according to the Bible, sought the help of the god Baal-Zebub to heal him. The prophet Elijah was sent by God to inform Ahaziah that he would not recover from his injuries and would die. Ahaziah died as prophesied, at the age of 22. Aside from his brief reign and relationship with the prophet Elisha, not much else is known about Ahaziah's life or personality. He is often remembered as a symbol of the wickedness and corruption of the northern kingdom of Israel during this time period.
Name meaning
The name Ahaziah is of Hebrew origin, and it means "Yahweh has held" or "Yahweh has grasped." The name is composed of two parts: "Ahaz," which means "has taken hold" or "has grasped," and "Yah," which is a short form of "Yahweh," the Hebrew name for God. In the context of biblical history, Ahaziah was a king of Israel, and his name reflects a theophoric element, indicating a connection or devotion to God. Ahaziah appears in the Hebrew Bible as both a king of Israel and a king of Judah, highlighting the perhaps common practice of using this name in royal circles during that era.
Name origin
Hebrew
Role
King of Israel
