Ἰωσαφάτ

Jehoshaphat

Definition

Ἰωσαφάτ is the Greek transliteration of the Hebrew name Jehoshaphat, meaning 'Yahweh has judged.' In the New Testament, it refers exclusively to Jehoshaphat, the fourth king of Judah, who reigned in the 9th century BC. He is mentioned in Matthew 1:8 as a key ancestor in the genealogy of Jesus Christ, listed as the son of Asa and father of Joram. In the Old Testament (e.g., 1 Kings 15:24, 2 Chronicles 17-20), he is portrayed as a generally righteous king who promoted religious reform and sought God's guidance, though his reign also included political alliances criticized by prophets.

Biblical Usage

This word appears only once in the New Testament, in Matthew 1:8, within the genealogy that opens Matthew's Gospel. Its usage is strictly as a proper name identifying a specific historical figure in the lineage from Abraham to Jesus. There are no patterns of metaphorical or varied usage in the New Testament; it serves solely to anchor Jesus' ancestry in Israel's royal history.

Etymology

Derived directly from the Hebrew name יְהוֹשָׁפָט (Yehoshaphat), which combines 'Yahweh' (the divine name) and 'shaphat' (to judge), meaning 'Yahweh has judged.' The Greek form Ἰωσαφάτ is a phonetic transliteration, adapting the Hebrew sounds into the Greek alphabet, a common practice for personal names in the Septuagint and New Testament.

Semantic Range

As an ancestor of Jesus, Jehoshaphat connects Christ to the Davidic kingly line, fulfilling Old Testament promises (e.g., 2 Samuel 7:12-16). His inclusion in Matthew 1 highlights Jesus' legitimate claim to the throne of Judah and his role as the promised Messiah. Understanding this Greek name reminds readers that Jesus' genealogy is not merely a list but a testament to God's faithfulness across generations, weaving even imperfect kings into his redemptive plan.

In first-century Jewish culture, names like Jehoshaphat carried historical and theological weight, evoking stories of Israel's monarchy found in the Hebrew Scriptures. For Matthew's original audience, this name would recall a king known for devotion to God and judicial reforms, reinforcing Jesus' heritage in a line of covenant-keeping leaders. The cultural understanding differed from a modern 'mundane' name, as it invoked shared national memory and scriptural authority.

Δαυίδ (dauid, G1138) — Another kingly ancestor of Jesus, but specifically King David, the covenant founder of the dynasty. | Ἀβραάμ (abraham, G11) — The patriarch and starting point of the genealogy, representing the covenant promise, whereas Jehoshaphat is a later descendant in that line.

Word Details

Scripture References