Ἰωράμ

Joram, Jehoram

Definition

Ἰωράμ (Joram or Jehoram) is the Greek form of the Hebrew name יוֹרָם (Yoram), meaning 'Yahweh is exalted.' In the New Testament, it refers specifically to Joram (also called Jehoram), a king of Judah who was the son of Jehoshaphat and father of Uzziah (also called Azariah). He is listed in the genealogy of Jesus Christ in Matthew 1:8. This Joram should be distinguished from the northern kingdom's King Joram, son of Ahab, though both names are identical in Greek. The biblical record of his reign, found in 2 Kings 8:16-24 and 2 Chronicles 21, describes a period of decline and unfaithfulness.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the New Testament, in Matthew 1:8, within the genealogy that opens the Gospel. Its sole purpose is to establish a historical link in the lineage from Abraham to Jesus Christ. The usage is purely referential, identifying a specific individual in a list of ancestors, with no narrative or theological commentary attached to the name itself in this context.

Etymology

Ἰωράμ is a direct transliteration of the Hebrew name יוֹרָם (Yoram) into Greek. The name is a theophoric compound, from the divine name Yahweh (יָהוּ) and the verb רוּם (rum), meaning 'to be high' or 'exalted.' Thus, its core meaning is 'Yahweh is exalted.' The Greek form preserves the sound and meaning of the original Hebrew without translation.

Semantic Range

While the name Ἰωράm itself is not theologically loaded, its placement in Matthew's genealogy (Matthew 1:8) is significant. It connects Jesus to the Davidic royal line, fulfilling messianic prophecy. Furthermore, the historical King Joram was a flawed king whose story (2 Chronicles 21) involves covenant unfaithfulness and divine judgment. His inclusion highlights that Jesus's ancestry includes both the faithful and the unfaithful, underscoring God's grace and faithfulness in preserving the messianic line despite human failure.

In the original cultural setting, a name like Joram, meaning 'Yahweh is exalted,' was a confession of faith in the God of Israel. Its use for kings expressed the ideal that the ruler was under Yahweh's authority. The dual use of the name for kings in both Judah and Israel reflects common naming practices but required careful distinction by original readers familiar with the historical accounts in Kings and Chronicles to avoid confusion between the two different monarchs.

There are no direct Greek synonyms for this proper name. Other kings in the same genealogy have distinct names, such as Ἀσά (Asa, G760) and Ἰωσαφάτ (Jehoshaphat, G2498).

Word Details

Scripture References