Brief Overview of Ἀχάζ (G881: Achaz)

1. Brief Overview:

Transliteration: Achaz

Root Words: Derived from the Hebrew אָחָז (Ahaz), meaning “he has grasped” or “possessor.”

Primary Meanings:

• Ahaz, King of Judah.
• Noted in the Bible as a king who did not follow the ways of David and was involved in idolatry.

2. Detailed Description:

BDAG: Does not typically include entries for proper names like Ahaz unless used metaphorically or in a particular theological context.

Thayer’s: Focuses on the historical and biblical aspects of Ahaz as documented in the Old Testament, detailing his reign and its religious implications.

Vines: Analyzes the theological implications of Ahaz’s actions, especially his refusal to trust in God, leading to significant political and spiritual consequences.

LSJ: Mainly lists the name without detailed theological or historical context, as it focuses more on classical Greek usage.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Identifies Ahaz primarily in the context of biblical narratives, specifically in books like 2 Kings and Isaiah.

Bible Verses:

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• 2 Kings 16:2, “Twenty years old was Ahaz when he began to reign, and reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem, and did not that which was right in the sight of the LORD his God, like David his father.”
• Isaiah 7:1, “And it came to pass in the days of Ahaz the son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, king of Judah, that Rezin the king of Syria, and Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of Israel, went up toward Jerusalem to war against it, but could not prevail against it.”

3. Classic Greek Literature:

Usage in Classic Greek Literature:

• The name Ahaz does not appear in classical Greek literature. It is a biblical name specific to the Hebrew context and the Old Testament narratives.

4. Summary:

Ahaz (Ἀχάζ) is a biblical figure from the Old Testament, noted as a king of Judah whose reign was marked by idolatry and failure to uphold the religious and moral standards set by his forebears such as King David. His decisions had lasting impacts, both politically and spiritually, influencing the course of Judah’s history. The biblical accounts serve as a study on the consequences of abandoning divine guidance for personal and political expediency. Ahaz’s story is pivotal in understanding the complex interplay of leadership, faith, and morality in the biblical narrative.