Hephzibah

Biblical Record

Hephzibah appears once, in 2 Kings 21:1. The text states that Manasseh became king at the age of twelve and reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem, and then adds, "And his mother's name was Hephzibah." Because Manasseh was the son of Hezekiah (2 Kings 20:21), Hephzibah is understood to have been Hezekiah's wife, although the text does not explicitly describe their marriage. 2 Chronicles 33, which covers the same period, records Manasseh's accession but does not give his mother's name.

Scripture provides no further information about Hephzibah's family, life, or deeds.

Significance Within Scripture

The books of Kings frequently record the name of the king's mother when a king of Judah comes to the throne. This practice is generally understood to reflect the official position the king's mother held within the royal court. The account of Asa removing his grandmother Maachah from that position (1 Kings 15:13) also indicates that such a position existed. The recording of Hephzibah's name follows this narrative convention.

The word "Hephzibah" also appears in Isaiah 62:4. In this verse God declares that restored Zion will no longer be called "Forsaken" but "Hephzibah," and that her land will be called "Beulah" (married). The verse does not refer to the person Hephzibah; rather, it is a symbolic name for the people in whom God delights.

The New Testament makes no mention of Hephzibah.

Interpretation and Points of Discussion

• In 2 Kings 21, Manasseh is assessed as one of the most wicked kings of Judah. For this reason, some sermons add speculation about the influence his mother Hephzibah may have had on her son's faith. Scripture, however, evaluates Hephzibah neither positively nor negatively, and such material is not grounded in the text.
• Jewish tradition includes an account that Hezekiah married the daughter of the prophet Isaiah, and some interpretations connect this account with Hephzibah. This is a later tradition; Scripture contains no such record.
• Some have sought a connection between the "Hephzibah" of Isaiah 62:4 and the queen mother Hephzibah on the basis of the shared name. No direct link between the two passages, however, has been established.

In the Korean Church

In the Korean church, the name "Hephzibah" is invoked less often in reference to the person than through the terms "Hephzibah" and "Beulah" in Isaiah 62:4. Preachers cite this verse as a promise of restoration, affirming that God delights in His people. With this meaning in view, the name is also given to church groups, mission societies, and institutions. The person Hephzibah receives only brief mention in sermons and Bible studies on Manasseh or Hezekiah.