Reform of Hezekiah

The King of Judah Hezekiah tried to take advantage of the Fall of the northern kingdom to move toward political and religious autonomy (see 2 Kings 18-20). His political and religious reforms found the support of the prophet Isaiah (see Isaiah 36-39),. Hezekiah not only eliminated idols, divination practices, and human sacrifice, but he also did away with cult objects long associated wit YHWH (such as the bronze snake which was reputes to have been made by Moses, see 2 Kings 18:4).

Hezekiah’s cult centralization had many aspects. Primarily, it had political and economic aims. At the end of the eighth century, it was simply necessary for Hezekiah to centralize the government, military and religion to the capital city of Jerusalem. Hezekiah prepared the kingdom of Judah for the Assyrian attack and made sure that taxes and revenues from cultic activities were collected centrally (from pilgrims coming to Jerusalem from across the kingdom). Hezekiah also initiated new building projects aimed at protecting Jerusalem: He fortified Jerusalem’s western hill and secured the Siloam Pool, and he built a new tunnel from the Gihon Spring and new storehouses at Lachish and other sites. These projects required money, which the centralization was able to provide. Without a doubt, Assyria—as an enemy of Judah—had a role in Hezekiah’s cultic reforms.