Hezekiah

King of Judah

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Hezekiah

Hezekiah, historically known as the reforming king of Judah and son of Ahaz, emerges as a figure of divine assurance in the midst of national crisis. In the prophecy cited by Isaiah and repeated in 2 Nephi 19:6, the verse speaks historically of Hezekiah’s birth, presenting him as a sign of God’s presence and imminent deliverance from Assyrian threats. He is symbolically denoted as “Immanuel,” or “God with us.” This title ascribes to Hezekiah a role that transcends his historical reign, placing him among a trio of symbolically named children—including Shear-Jashub and Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz—who embody direct divine signs.

Seen as a prefiguration of Jesus Christ, Hezekiah’s allusion as Immanuel not only reflects his own leadership and faith but also layers upon him messianic attributes that are in Christian theology fully realized in Christ. The titles “Mighty God,” “Everlasting Father,” and “Prince of Peace” entwine Hezekiah’s narrative with prophecies of the coming Messiah, blurring the lines between historical record and prophetic vision. Thus, the legacy of Hezekiah carries forth a dual resonance: one grounded in the tangible salvation of his people, and the other in the hope of an eternal peace promised in the figure of Jesus Christ.

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