Remaliah is recognized primarily through his association with his son Pekah, who rose to kingship over Israel. Pekah is often identified as “Pekah the son of Remaliah,” indicating that while Remaliah’s own deeds and positions are not detailed within the scripture, his lineage bore significance to the historical and geopolitical narrative of the region (2 Nephi 17:1, 4, 5, 9). The scriptural account during the reign of King Ahaz of Judah refers to an alliance between Pekah, the son of Remaliah, and Rezin, the king of Syria, created with the intent to wage war against Jerusalem.
However, despite their efforts, Pekah son of Remaliah, and Rezin of Syria, were unable to conquer the city. This period of conflict and the alliance of Pekah with Syria against Judah is captured within the prophecies of Isaiah and in the historical recounting of the Book of Mormon, underscoring the tensions between the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. Remaliah’s mentioned in the context of his son indicates a recognition of familial lineage and its importance in identifying the key players within the complex political landscapes of ancient Israel during scriptural times.