Bible Dictionaries
Pekah

Holman Bible Dictionary

(pee' kuh) A personal name meaning, “open-eyed.” Officer in Israel's army who became king in a bloody coup by murdering King Pekahiah (2 Kings 15:25 ). His reign of twenty years (2 Kings 15:27 ) probably is the total time he held military control in Gilead and Samaria. Pekah appeared to be the leader in Gilead during Menahem's reign but surrendered control there when Tiglath-pileser III of Assyria confirmed Menahem's rule. Pekah then was given a high office in the army, and the coup followed shortly after Pekahiah succeeded Menahem. Pekah reigned in Samaria 752-732 B.C. and was in turn assassinated by Hoshea (2 Kings 15:30 ). See Menahem .