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Pekahiah

PEKAHIAH (Heb. פְּקַחְיָה; "YHWH has opened [the eyes]"), the son of *Menahem; ruled Israel in Samaria for two years (c. 737/6–735/4 B.C.E.) during the reign of Uzziah, son of Amaziah, over Judah (II Kings 15:22–24). The Bible provides no information about Pekahiah's acts or about the condition of the northern kingdom in his day, apart from the formulaic comment, "He did what was evil in the sight of the Lord…" (II Kings 15:24). It may be presumed that Pekahiah continued the policy of his father, Menahem, and displayed his loyalty to Assyria. In the second year of his reign he fell victim to a conspiracy led by his army commander *Pekah, son of Remaliah, who killed him with the support of 50 Gileadites and took his place on the throne (II Kings 15:25).

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Bright, Hist, 254.


Sources: Encyclopaedia Judaica. © 2007 The Gale Group. All Rights Reserved.