Famous Israeli Historical Personalities

King David of Israel remains a significant figure not just in Christianity, but also in Judaism and Islam. The Books of Samuel describe him as a shepherd. Legends also mention how he killed the giant Goliath and had an affair with Bathsheba. He was also a poet and a psalmist.

Melchizedek was the priest and king of Salem. He is mentioned in the Book of Genesis and is the first person to be given the title priest in the Hebrew Bible. Melchizedek is considered an important figure in Christianity and Judaism.

Though seriously hindered by leprosy, Baldwin IV, who came to power at the age of 13, was successful in defending his Jerusalem kingdom during his nearly 11-year rule. His reign was marked by his confrontations with Saladin, the ruler of Egypt and Syria. Also known as The Leper King, Baldwin slowed Saladin’s military campaigns. He was succeeded by his nephew.

The wife of Uriah the Hittite, Bathsheba was bathing on her roof when David saw her and had her brought to him. He then got Uriah killed and married Bathsheba. David and Bathsheba’s first child died as a punishment for his sins. She was also the mother of King Solomon.

Jezebel was the wife of the King of Israel, Ahab. Jezebel is credited with introducing the worship of Asherah and Baal on a national scale. She also purged the prophets of Yahweh, for which she is often associated with false prophets. An important cultural symbol, Jezebel is also associated with promiscuity and fallen women.

Deborah was an Israeli prophetess and a judge of Israel who made her judgments underneath a date palm tree between Bethel in the Tribe of Ephraim and Ramah in Benjamin. According to the Bible, Deborah was the only female judge in pre-monarchic Israel.

Saul the King reigned as the first king of the United Monarchy (Israel and Judah) from 1037 to 1010 BCE. His reign played a major role in helping the then-civilization undergo a major transition from a tribal society to statehood. According to a biblical summary, Saul was a successful king. He conducted several military campaigns against kingdoms like Aram Rehob.

Benjamin was an Israeli man best known as the son of Jacob, a patriarch of the Israelites. The last-born of Jacob's 12 sons, Benjamin is widely regarded as the forefather of the Tribe of Benjamin.

Rehoboam reigned as the King of Judah from 931 to 913 BCE. Since Judah and Israel remained in a state of war during his 17-year reign, Rehoboam built many strongholds and elaborate defenses, including fortified cities, thus playing a major role in shaping the Kingdom of Judah.

According to the Hebrew Bible, Ahab was the seventh king of Israel. Depicted as a wicked king, Ahab is remembered for his role in the cruel and unjust execution of Naboth, a citizen of Jezreel. Ahab is also responsible for popularizing the worship of Baal after abandoning the religion of Yahweh in Israel.

Herod Antipas reigned as the ruler of Galilee and Perea during the first century. He is widely known for his role in events leading up to the executions of Jesus of Nazareth and John the Baptist. It is said that Jesus was initially handed over to Antipas by Pontius Pilate before Antipas decided to send Jesus back to Pilate's court.

Jeroboam, son of Nebat, is mentioned in the Hebrew Bible as someone who fought against Rehoboam, joining hands with the Israelite tribes. King Solomon had initially made him the superintendent of his tribesmen engaged in building fortresses. The Bible also mentions Jeroboam's constant conflict with Judah.

Herod Agrippa reigned as the King of Judaea from 41 to 44 AD. He is credited with shaping the city of Berytus, where he built an amphitheatre, theatre, baths, and porticoes. He also contributed immensely to the infrastructure of Sebaste, Caesarea, and Heliopolis.

Jehu reigned as the King of Northern Israel from 841 to 814 BCE. The son of Jehoshaphat, Jehu is best remembered for exterminating the house of Ahab. The annihilation of the house of Ahab is widely regarded as an important event in the history of Israel.

Fulk, King of Jerusalem, reigned as the King of Jerusalem from 1131 until his death in 1143. He is credited with helping the Kingdom of Jerusalem reach its largest territorial extent. His reign witnessed the construction of the fortress of Kerak, which is counted among the largest castles in the region.

Manasseh of Judah was the King of Judah who reigned from 697 to 643 BC. From 697 to 687 BC, he ruled as a co-regent and his total reign of 55 years is the longest in the history of Judah. He is usually depicted as a wicked king as he allowed the revival of several pagan rituals, including child sacrifice.  

Uzziah reigned as the tenth king of the Kingdom of Judah. According to the Biblical narrative, Uzziah reigned for about 52 years and was one of the most prosperous rulers of the Kingdom of Judah. It is believed that he suffered from leprosy during his reign for disobeying God.

Jehoiakim reigned as the King of Judah from 609 to 598 BC. He ruled the kingdom as a vassal of the Egyptians. After the Egyptians' defeat at the battle of Carchemish, Jehoiakim changed allegiances and supported the Babylonians in order to avoid the destruction of Jerusalem.

Ish-bosheth reigned as the King of Israel from 1012 until his death in 1010 BCE. The son of King Saul, Ish-bosheth succeeded his father to become the second king of the Kingdom of Israel. His reign lasted only two years as Ish-bosheth was killed by two of his own army captains, Baanah and Rechab.

Jeconiah reigned as the 19th King of Judah from 598 to 597 BCE. Jeconiah's reign of three months and ten days came to an end when Nebuchadnezzar II's army captured Jerusalem. Subsequently, Jeconiah and 3000 Jews were exiled to Babylon. This is seen as a significant event in the history of Israel as well as Babylon.

Ahaz was the King of Judah who reigned from 732 to 716 BC. He is often depicted as an evil king who practiced rituals, such as child sacrifice. It is said that he sacrificed his own son to Moloch by making him pass through the fire. He was succeeded by his son Hezekiah.

Omri was the sixth king of Israel who reigned from 884 BC to 873 BC. A successful military campaigner, Omri is credited with extending the northern kingdom of Israel. He is also credited with the establishment of Samaria, which served as his capital. Omri was also the founder of one of the most important Israelite royal houses, House of Omri.

Abijam was the second King of Judah who reigned from 913 BCE until his death in 911 BCE. One of the most popular kings of the House of David, Abijam aimed at winning back Israel to the Davidic kingdom. As a result, he fought in the Battle of Mount Zemaraim and emerged victorious. Subsequently, he captured Bethel, Ephron, and Jeshanah.

Ahaziah of Judah was the king of Judah who reigned from 842 BCE until his death in 841 BCE. His brief reign was influenced by his mother Athaliah, who went on to succeed him as queen regnant after he died in Megiddo.

Abijah of Judah was the King of Judah who reigned from 913 BCE until his death in 911 BCE. One of the most popular kings of the House of David, Abijah aimed at winning back Israel to the Davidic kingdom. As a result, he fought in the Battle of Mount Zemaraim and won. Subsequently, he captured Bethel, Ephron, and Jeshanah.

Baldwin III of Jerusalem was the King of Jerusalem from 1143 until his death in 1163, at the age of 33. The seizure of the Egyptian fortress of Ascalon was one of the highlights of his reign. He is credited with improving the relations between Byzantium and Jerusalem; during his reign, the Byzantine Empire became a close ally of Jerusalem.

Jehoram of Judah reigned as the King of Judah from 849 BCE until his death in 842 BCE. He is generally depicted as a cruel man who killed his six brothers in order to secure his position as the King of Judah. He was succeeded by his son Ahaziah. 

Amalric of Jerusalem was the King of Jerusalem who reigned from 1163 until his death in 1174. He is credited with strengthening the relationship between the Byzantine Empire and Jerusalem. During his reign, Jerusalem and the Byzantine Empire joined forces and launched an attack on Egypt, which was unsuccessful. He is also remembered for fathering three future rulers of Jerusalem.

Amaziah of Judah was the King of Judah who reigned for 29 years; 24 years of his reign had his son Uzziah as co-regent. Amaziah of Judah is usually depicted as a righteous king who adhered strictly to the Law of Moses. His legacy revolves around his righteousness and his decision not to kill the children of his father's murderers.

Hoshea reigned as the King of Northern Israel. It is believed that Tiglath-pileser III played a major role in making Hoshea a king, for which the latter paid an annual tribute to the former. Hoshea's downfall, brought about by his refusal to pay tribute to the new Assyrian king, played a major role in establishing the Assyrians' rule in Israel.

Menahem was the King of Northern Israel. He is credited with founding the House of Gadi, which is also known as the House of Menahem. House of Gadi, which lasted only 12 years, is credited with producing two kings of Israel; Pekahiah and Menahem. The dynasty was succeeded by the House of Remaliah after the death of Menahem's son Pekahiah.

Aristobulus II reigned as the King of Judaea from 66 to 63 BCE. He also served as the Jewish High Priest of Judaea during his reign. Aristobulus II succeeded his mother Salome Alexandra to the throne after defeating his brother John Hyrcanus II. He was the last of the Maccabean kings of Judaea.

Aristobulus I was the king of Judaea who reigned from 104 to 103 BCE. Aristobulus, who hailed from the Hasmonean dynasty, was the first Hebrew king to claim the kingship as well as high priesthood title. He is depicted as a cruel king as he killed his brothers and took the throne from his mother, against his late father’s will.  

Jehoshaphat reigned as the fourth king of Judah from 870 to 849 BCE. Jehoshaphat is credited with instituting several reforms, including religious reforms, in the Kingdom of Judah. He is widely regarded as a successful king whose reign was marked by a great measure of prosperity and peace in the kingdom.