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Ahaziah of Israel
A son of Ahab who died after a fall, having sent to a pagan god rather than the Lord.
What we know — and how we know it
Bible — stated in scripture (with verse) · 1
Archaeology — physical evidence · 2
Scholarly — supported scholarly belief · 1
Family & lineage
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ArchaeologyShalmaneser III's Kurkh Monolith names "Ahab the Israelite" among the coalition at the Battle of Qarqar in 853 BC, fixing the Omride chronology into which Ahaziah's brief reign falls as Ahab's immediate successor. The inscription attests Ahaziah's father and dynasty, not Ahaziah himself.
Kurkh Monolith of Shalmaneser III (from Kurkh/Uctepe, SE Turkey; British Museum, BM 118884), naming 'Ahab the Israelite' (A-ha-ab-bu mat Sir-'i-la-a-a) among the coalition at the Battle of Qarqar, 853 BC; ed. A.K. Grayson, Assyrian Rulers of the Early First Millennium BC II (858-745 BC), RIMA 3, Univ. of Toronto Press, 1996. Fixes the Omride chronology into which Ahaziah's brief reign falls; attests his father Ahab and dynasty, not Ahaziah himself.
Life, role & deeds
Mbzt — CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
ArchaeologyThe Mesha Stele (Moabite Stone) records Moab's subjugation by "the house of Omri" and its revolt, matching 2 Kings 1:1, which places Moab's rebellion right at Ahaziah's accession after Ahab's death. It attests the Omride kingdom and its Moabite conflict, but does not name Ahaziah.
Mesha Stele (Moabite Stone), Louvre AO 5066, discovered at Dhiban 1868; lines 4-8 name "Omri king of Israel" and record Moab's subjugation under the Omride house and its revolt; does not name Ahaziah.
Name & titles
Scholarly"Ahaziah" (Hebrew Ahazyahu) is a theophoric name meaning "Yahweh has grasped/held fast," built on the verb 'ahaz with the divine element -yahu. The Yahwistic name of an Omride king is itself notable given the dynasty's promotion of Baal worship.
Hebrew onomastics: 'ahaz ("seize/hold") + theophoric -yahu.