King Hezekiah

Summary: In this thesis I have focused on the views of individual biblical and Talmudic authors on King Hezekiah. My goal was primarily to compare the assessment of Hezekiah and his deeds in the texts of the Deuteronomist, Chronicler, and other editors. These authors, editors and maybe even entire schools knew Hezekiah as a historical figure known through his abilities as a ruler, his dedication to the Cult of the Lord, and his human qualities. In their attempt to create a complete historical record, the Deuteronomist and Chronicler both deliberately portrayed the character of King Hezekiah in an idealized form, as described above. One of the goals of this work was to show the reason why they chose to do so. Transpersonal motivations certainly played a role in the contemplations of both of them. Both knew that the written word (even more so the historiography of one's own nation) organized from fragments of oral tradition, passed on from father to son, has great power. Not power over others or God, but power over themselves. The nation of Israel should see itself in the characters of the story related by our authors. While listening to these stories, the people of Jerusalem have the chance to identify themselves with the ailing, repentant and in the end the healed Hezekiah. The goal of the Deuteronomist and..