Who was Hezeki in the bible?

Hezeki (Chizqiy) is presented as an Israelite whose name is associated with the idea of being “strong.” In Scripture he appears only as one of several names listed in a genealogical context.

Hezeki in Scripture

Hezeki is mentioned once, in a list of names in 1 Chronicles 8. The immediate setting is a sequence of genealogical notices that group individuals under larger family headings. Within this flow, the text first supplies earlier names and then introduces a set explicitly identified as belonging to a particular father.

The chapter’s wording immediately around Hezeki places him near named individuals and within shifting subheadings (“the sons of …”), which signal the structure of the list. Just before his appearance, the text reads:

“Michael, Ishpah, Joha, the sons of Beriah,” (1 Chronicles 8:16, WEB)

Then Hezeki’s name occurs in the next verse among four names:

“Zebadiah, Meshullam, Hizki, Heber,” (1 Chronicles 8:17, WEB)

In this verse, Hezeki is not described by role, office, or deeds; he is simply recorded as part of a grouped listing. The list continues in the verses that follow, and the text provides another explicit family heading shortly after Hezeki’s mention:

“Ishmerai, Izliah, Jobab, the sons of Elpaal,” (1 Chronicles 8:18, WEB)

Taken together, the surrounding lines show the pattern of the passage: a sequence of personal names, occasionally clarified by headings that identify them as belonging to a named father. Hezeki’s appearance is therefore part of an orderly register, positioned between “the sons of Beriah” (1 Chronicles 8:16) and “the sons of Elpaal” (1 Chronicles 8:18).

The narrative content of this immediate section is the list itself: names are presented in clusters, with continuity from verse to verse. For example, the text builds from earlier names:

“and Ahio, Shashak, Jeremoth,” (1 Chronicles 8:14, WEB)

and continues:

“Zebadiah, Arad, Eder,” (1 Chronicles 8:15, WEB)

followed by the heading about Beriah (1 Chronicles 8:16), then the four-name line including Hezeki (1 Chronicles 8:17), and then the heading about Elpaal (1 Chronicles 8:18). The verses after that keep the same format, extending the roster with additional clusters of names (1 Chronicles 8:19–26). In this way, Hezeki’s scriptural footprint is defined by his placement within a genealogical list rather than by any narrated episode or speech.

Name and Meaning

The name is written in Hebrew as חִזְקִי, transliterated Chizqiy, and pronounced “khiz-kee’.” The name’s derivation is connected with the idea of being “strong,” associated with a Hebrew root (chazaq, חָזַק) that carries senses such as fastening upon, seizing, and being strong.

Observation

Within 1 Chronicles 8, Hezeki is remembered with brevity as one of several individuals preserved in a structured record: “Zebadiah, Meshullam, Hizki, Heber,” (1 Chronicles 8:17, WEB).

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Hezeki mean?

The name Hezeki means “strong.”

How many times does Hezeki appear in the Bible?

Hezeki appears 1 time.

Who was Hezeki?

Hezeki (Chizqiy) is identified as an Israelite.

Where is Hezeki mentioned?

Hezeki is mentioned in a list of names in 1 Chronicles 8:17: “Zebadiah, Meshullam, Hizki, Heber,” (1 Chronicles 8:17).

Explore Further

If you found this page about Hezeki interesting and would like to discover more about other biblical characters, explore our comprehensive Encyclopedia of Biblical Characters. For those looking to delve deeper into the Greek origins of these names and terms, our Greek Lexicon is an invaluable resource.

Sources: Name and occurrence data from Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance and STEPBible reference data (CC BY). Scripture quotations from the World English Bible (public domain).