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Ahaziah

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

King of Israel or Judah, depending on context, associated with idolatry

Detailed Definition
Two kings named Ahaziah appear: one in Israel (son of Ahab) and one in Judah (son of Jehoram). Both aligned with Baal worship and met violent ends. In poetry, Ahaziah symbolizes the tragic legacy of dynastic corruption and the swift judgment awaiting those who abandon God.
Example
Example in poetry:
In John Milton’s "Paradise Lost," Ahaziah’s brief, idolatrous reign is part of Judah’s cyclical decline; In William Cowper’s hymns, Ahaziah’s consultation of Baal-zebub (2 Kings 1) warns against seeking false gods; In Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s "The Seraphim," Ahaziah’s death by fire prefigures divine judgment; In George Herbert’s "The Church Militant," Ahaziah’s fate illustrates the peril of apostasy; In John Keble’s "Lyra Apostolica," Ahaziah’s story underscores the need for faithful leadership; In Christina Rossetti’s "The World," Ahaziah represents the vanity of earthly power.
Additional Notes
Ahaziah: Name of kings of Israel (son of Ahab) and Judah (son of Jehoram); both died young under divine judgment. The Israelite Ahaziah consulted Baal-zebub (2 Kings 1), provoking Elijah’s rebuke—a vivid scene of prophetic confrontation. In poetry, Ahaziah represents futile rebellion against divine authority and the futility of seeking pagan oracles. His fall through a lattice (2 Kings 1:2) is a potent image of sudden downfall.
Also Known As
Ahaziah king of Judah Ahaziah son of Jehoram
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