Last edited on: August 30, 2026, 9:10 am

Historical Figures Mentioned in Isaiah

Summary:

The Book of Isaiah mentions several verifiable historical figures from the 8th to 6th centuries BCE, including Judean kings, Assyrian and Babylonian emperors, and regional rulers involved in ancient Near Eastern conflicts.

Kings of Judah

  • Uzziah (Azariah):

    • Mentioned in the opening superscription (Isaiah 1:1) and the year of his death (Isaiah 6:1).

    Uzziah, also called Azariah, was the tenth king of Judah, ascending the throne at age 16 and reigning for 52 years (c. 791–739 BC).

    Initially faithful to God, he expanded Judah’s territory, strengthened defenses, advanced agriculture, and built a powerful army.

    His pride led him to unlawfully burn incense in the Temple, for which he was struck with leprosy and lived in isolation while his son Jotham ruled.

    His reign marked Judah’s height of power since Solomon.

    Born: 788 BC (Jerusalem)

    Died: 736 BC (Jerusalem)

  • Jotham:

    • Listed as a contemporary king during whose reign Isaiah also prophesied (Isaiah 1:1).

  • Ahaz:

    • Central figure in the Syro-Ephraimite crisis chapters (Isaiah 7:1; 14:28).

  • Hezekiah:

    • Key figure in the narrative accounts of Assyrian threats and his illness/recovery (Isaiah 36–39).

Assyrian and Foreign Monarchs

  • Tiglath-Pileser III (Pul):

    • Mentioned indirectly or via historical context regarding northern military campaigns (referred to as Pul or king of Assyria).

  • Sargon II:

    • Explicitly named in connection with the siege of Ashdod (Isaiah 20:1).

  • Sennacherib:

  • The Assyrian king who invaded Judah and besieged Jerusalem during Hezekiah's reign (Isaiah 36:1, 37:21).

  • Merodach-Baladan:

    • Babylonian ruler who sent envoys to Hezekiah (Isaiah 39:1).

  • Cyrus the Great:

    • Persin king named explicitly over a century before his reign as a restorer of exiled Judeans (Isaiah 44:28, 45:1).

Regional Rulers and Officials

  • Pekah:

    • King of Israel (Northern Kingdom) allied against Judah (Isaiah 7:1).

  • Rezin:

    • King of Aram (Syria) allied with Pekah against Jerusalem (Isaiah 7:1).

  • Shebna:

    • Royal palace administrator rebuked by Isaiah (Isaiah 22:15).

  • Eliakim:

    • Son of Hilkiah, who replaced Shebna as steward (Isaiah 22:20).

Kings of The United Kingdom (All 12 Tribes) of Israel

  • Saul
  • Ishbosheth (Ishbaal)
  • David
  • Solomon

Divided Kingdom: Northern Kingdom (Israel)

  • Jeroboam I
  • Nadab
  • Baasha
  • Elah
  • Zimri
  • Omri
  • Ahab
  • Ahaziah
  • Jehoram (Joram)
  • Jehu
  • Jehoahaz
  • Jehoash (Joash)
  • Jeroboam II
  • Zechariah
  • Shallum
  • Menahem
  • Pekahiah
  • Pekah
  • Hoshea