Meaning of UZZIAH

="Jehovah is strength."
(a) King of Judah (2 Kings 15:13, 30-34; 2 Chron. 26; 27:2; Is. 1:1; 6:1; 7:1; Hos. 1:1; Am. 1 :1; Zech. 14:5; Mt. 1:9). King Uzziah is called Azariah in 2 Kings 14:21; 15:1-8, 17-27; 1 Chr. 3:12.

He succeeded his father Amaziah around the year 785, a few years after the great defeat he suffered at the hands of the king of Israel. Uzziah reigned during his father's lifetime, and rebuilt Elath (2 Kings 14:22). He acceded to the throne at the age of 16 (2 Kings 14:21).

He strengthened the power and independence of the kingdom of Judah; he reorganized the army, restored the fortifications of Jerusalem, defeated the Philistines and Arabs, destroyed the walls of Gath, Jabnia, Ashdod, subdued the Ammonites and other nations (2 Chron. 26: 6-8).

Uzziah developed agriculture, built towers in the desert, dug wells. He gave his worship to Jehovah, but allowed the high places to remain where the people offered sacrifices to idols. His successes made him proud.

Having attempted to usurp priestly functions, he was immediately attacked by leprosy, from which he never recovered. Jotham, his son, became regent. At this time a great earthquake took place (Am. 1:1; Zech. 14:5).

The people related this cataclysm to the sacrilegious gesture of Uzziah (Ant. 9:10, 4). His reign lasted 52 years, and he died around 734 BC. (2 Kings 15:1-7; 2 Chron. 26). The prophets Isaiah, Hosea, and Amos began his ministries before his death (Is. 1:1; 6:1; Hos. 1:1; Am. 1:1).

(b) Son of Uriel, a Kohathite (1 Chron. 6:24).

(c) Father of Jonathan, one of David's overseers (1 Chron. 27:25).

(d) Priest who had married a foreign woman, and who subsequently sent her away (Ezra 10:21).

(e) Father of Athaiah, who returned from exile (Neh. 11