Niles, Hezekiah, 1777-1839, American journalist, b. Jefferis's Ford, Pa. Editor (1805-11) of the Baltimore Evening Post and founder (1811) of Niles' Weekly Register, he was one of the most influential journalists of his day. Devoted primarily to politics, Niles' Weekly Register is considered an important source for the history of the period.

Hezekiah, in the Bible, king of Judah, son and successor of Ahaz. During his reign Sennacherib of Assyria routed (701 B.C.) the rebellious Jews and exacted a high indemnity from them. However, a plague in the Assyrian army saved (690 B.C.) Judah from a second invasion by Sennacherib. Hezekiah's reign was marked by the prophecies of Isaiah and Micah and by reforms to purify the religion of Israel by eliminating certain Canaanite practices. The country also experienced great material prosperity. His son and successor was Manasseh. See Hizkijah.

Augur, Hezekiah, 1791-1858, American sculptor. After a business failure he devoted himself to art and was encouraged by Samuel F. B. Morse. His bust of Washington and the statuette group Jephtha and His Daughter (Yale Univ.) are among his best-known works.

(flourished late 8th and early 7th centuries BC) King of Judah at Jerusalem. The dates of his reign are uncertain but are often given as 715–686 BC. He was a reformer who tried to discourage foreign cults and assert the religious traditions of Israel during a time of Assyrian supremacy. The rebellion that broke out in Palestine circa 703 BC was probably led by Hezekiah. Though he fortified Jerusalem, other cities of Judah fell, and the revolt was put down in 701 BC. The Assyrians demanded a heavy tribute of gold, but tradition holds that a plague devastated the Assyrian army and Jerusalem was spared.

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