Learn more about Pekah

Introduction to Pekah

Pekah was a king of the northern kingdom of Israel during a tumultuous time marked by political instability and military conflict. His name, “Pekah” (Hebrew: פֶּקַח, Peqaḥ), means “open-eyed” or “watchful.” Pekah’s reign is primarily documented in the books of 2 Kings and Isaiah, where he is portrayed as a military leader who rose to power through assassination and ruled during a crucial period leading up to the Assyrian conquest of Israel.

Pekah Pronunciation

“Pekah” is pronounced as PEE-kah, with emphasis on the first syllable.

Pekah in the Bible

Pekah is most prominently featured in the historical narratives of the Old Testament, particularly in 2 Kings. His story highlights the political chaos in Israel and the looming threat of Assyria. The following are key biblical passages where Pekah appears:

• 2 Kings 15:25-31: Pekah, the son of Remaliah, becomes king of Israel by assassinating Pekahiah, the son of Menahem. He reigns for 20 years and is noted for continuing the sins of Jeroboam, including idolatry. His reign ends when Hoshea conspires against him and murders him, seizing the throne.
• 2 Kings 16:5: Pekah joins forces with Rezin, king of Syria, to attack Judah during the reign of King Ahaz. Their attempt to besiege Jerusalem fails, and this conflict leads Ahaz to seek help from Assyria.
• Isaiah 7:1-9: This passage includes the famous prophecy of Immanuel. Isaiah warns King Ahaz not to fear Pekah and Rezin because their plans will not succeed. This section demonstrates Pekah’s role in the Syro-Ephraimite War and God’s providence in Judah’s deliverance.
• 2 Chronicles 28:5-8: Pekah defeats Judah in battle, killing 120,000 men in one day and taking many captives. However, a prophet named Oded rebukes the Israelites for their cruelty and compels them to release the captives and provide for their needs.

Historical and Biblical Context of Pekah

Pekah's reign (circa 752–732 BCE, with co-regency considerations) coincided with a volatile period in the Near East. The Assyrian Empire, under Tiglath-Pileser III, was expanding aggressively, and smaller kingdoms like Israel were struggling to maintain autonomy. Pekah initially opposed Assyrian dominance, aligning with Syria to resist. This culminated in the Syro-Ephraimite War, a significant geopolitical event in which Israel (under Pekah) and Syria attempted to force Judah into joining their coalition against Assyria. Their failure not only led to Pekah's political decline but also hastened Assyria’s intervention and the partial destruction of the northern kingdom.

Related Themes and Meanings to Pekah

• Judgment and Political Instability: Pekah’s rule is emblematic of the northern kingdom’s instability, marked by assassinations, shifting alliances, and eventual downfall.
• Prophetic Intervention: Isaiah’s prophecy during Pekah’s campaign against Judah is a critical theological moment, reaffirming God's sovereignty and His protection of the Davidic line.
• Assyrian Domination: Pekah’s opposition to Assyria indirectly led to Israel’s weakening, setting the stage for the kingdom’s fall and the exile of its people.
• Sin of Jeroboam: Pekah continued the idolatrous practices initiated by Jeroboam I, a repeated theme that underscores the spiritual failure of Israel’s kings.

Trivia and Interesting Facts about Pekah

• Pekah’s reign overlaps with several significant biblical figures: King Ahaz of Judah, the prophet Isaiah, and the Assyrian king Tiglath-Pileser III.
• Although he reigned for 20 years, Pekah is remembered more for his military aggression and alliance with Syria than for any spiritual or economic reforms.
• The Syro-Ephraimite War, in which Pekah played a central role, is a key background to the prophecy of Immanuel in Isaiah 7, a passage later cited in the New Testament as messianic.
• The Assyrian records mention an Israelite king (possibly Pekah) paying tribute, reflecting the historical accuracy of the biblical account and the extent of Assyria’s dominance.

Legacy of Pekah

Pekah’s legacy is one of political ambition but spiritual failure. His opposition to Assyria was bold, but ultimately led to deeper suffering for Israel. Biblically, he stands as a cautionary figure—powerful but reckless, and unable to alter the divine trajectory that would see Israel exiled due to its persistent unfaithfulness. His story interweaves with prophetic declarations and international politics, making him a significant though tragic figure in the narrative of the divided kingdom.