Hoshea

Technical Profile

• Name Meaning: Hebrew Hôšēaʿ (הוֹשֵׁעַ), “salvation” or “he saves”
• Period/Era: Divided Kingdom (late 8th century BC)
• Main References: 2 Kings 15:30; 2 Kings 17:1–6; 2 Kings 18:9–12
• Key Connections: Overthrew Pekah; vassal relations with Shalmaneser V of Assyria; sought support from “So, king of Egypt”

Who was Hoshea?

Hoshea was the last king of the Northern Kingdom of Israel.
He came to power by conspiring against and killing King Pekah.
His reign overlapped with Assyria’s expansion in the Levant and ended with Israel’s fall.
Biblical narration presents his rule within Israel’s covenant history and prophetic warnings.

Key Events & Achievements

• Event 1: Assassinated Pekah and seized the throne of Israel (2 Kings 15:30; 17:1).
• Event 2: Became a vassal of Assyria, paying tribute to Shalmaneser V (2 Kings 17:3).
• Event 3: After withholding tribute and appealing to Egypt, was imprisoned and Samaria was besieged and captured (2 Kings 17:4–6).

Life Lesson & Legacy

Hoshea’s reign marks how international dependence and internal instability coincided with Israel’s collapse under Assyrian power.

Key Verse

"In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria captured Samaria, and he carried the Israelites away to Assyria and placed them in Halah, and on the Habor, the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes." — 2 Kings 17:6, ESV