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Amaziah

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 Judah who initially followed God but later turned to idols

Detailed Definition
Amaziah defeated Edom but foolishly challenged Israel, leading to Jerusalem’s plunder. His assassination followed his idolatrous turn. In poetry, Amaziah illustrates the fragility of faith, the danger of pride in victory, and the cyclical nature of obedience and apostasy in leadership.
Example
Example in poetry:
In John Milton’s "Paradise Lost," Amaziah’s partial reforms (2 Kings 14) reflect the incompleteness of human righteousness; In William Cowper’s hymns, Amaziah’s defeat by Israel warns against pride after victory; In Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s "The Drama of Exile," Amaziah symbolizes the struggle between faith and compromise; In George Herbert’s "The Church-porch," Amaziah’s idolatry after triumph illustrates spiritual danger; In John Keble’s "Lyra Apostolica," Amaziah’s story underscores the need for wholehearted devotion; In Christina Rossetti’s devotional verse, Amaziah’s failure contrasts with Christ’s perfect obedience.
Additional Notes
Amaziah: King of Judah who initially followed God but later apostatized (2 Kings 14; 2 Chronicles 25). His challenge to Jehoash of Israel (“thistle and cedar” parable) and worship of Edomite gods mark his downfall. In poetry, Amaziah illustrates the danger of half-hearted faith and pride in military success. His assassination in Lachish offers a cautionary end. Useful for exploring the tension between early promise and later failure.
Also Known As
Amaziah king of Judah Amaziah son of Joash
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