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Ahaz

Biblical
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

Wicked king of Judah who promoted idolatry and foreign worship, condemned in biblical texts for abandoning Yahweh’s covenant.

Detailed Definition
Ahaz rejected prophetic counsel from Isaiah, sacrificed to Assyrian gods, and desecrated the Temple. His reign marked spiritual decline despite political survival. In poetry, Ahaz represents apostasy, the peril of trusting human alliances over divine promises, and the consequences of forsaking covenant faithfulness.
Example
Example in poetry:
In John Milton’s "Paradise Lost," Ahaz’s idolatry is cited as a low point in Judah’s history; In William Cowper’s hymns, Ahaz’s refusal of God’s sign (Isaiah 7) warns against unbelief; In Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s "The Drama of Exile," Ahaz symbolizes the consequences of faithlessness; In George Herbert’s "The Church-porch," Ahaz’s alliance with Assyria illustrates misplaced trust; In John Keble’s "The Christian Year," Ahaz’s reign becomes a metaphor for spiritual winter; In Christina Rossetti’s devotional verse, Ahaz’s failure contrasts with Mary’s faith.
Additional Notes
Ahaz: King of Judah who rejected Isaiah’s counsel and sought Assyrian aid (2 Kings 16; Isaiah 7). His reign marks a low point in Judah’s faithfulness. In poetry, Ahaz symbolizes fear-driven unbelief and the rejection of divine signs (e.g., refusal of “Immanuel” sign). Contrast with his son Hezekiah for thematic development on trust vs. anxiety. His altar copying (2 Kings 16:10–16) illustrates syncretism.
Also Known As
Ahaz king of Judah Ahaz son of Jotham
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