יְהוֹאָשׁ
Jehoash, the name of two Israelite kings
Definition
יְהוֹאָשׁ (Jehoash) is the name of two distinct kings in the Old Testament. The first is Jehoash (or Joash) of Judah, who reigned in Jerusalem for forty years (2 Kings 11:21, 2 Kings 12:1). He is noted for his early righteousness under the guidance of the priest Jehoiada and for his project to repair the temple (2 Kings 12:4-7). The second is Jehoash (or Joash) of Israel, son of Jehoahaz, who reigned in Samaria for sixteen years (2 Kings 13:10). His reign included military conflict with King Amaziah of Judah and a prophetic encounter with the dying Elisha (2 Kings 13:14-19).
Biblical Usage
This proper name appears 16 times, exclusively in the historical books of 2 Kings (11:21, 12:1-2, 12:4, 12:6-7, 12:18, 13:10) and 2 Chronicles (which parallels the accounts). The context always distinguishes between the king of Judah and the king of Israel, requiring the reader to note the specific lineage and kingdom mentioned. For example, 2 Kings 12:1 clearly identifies 'Jehoash' as the son of Ahaziah, king of Judah.
Etymology
The name יְהוֹאָשׁ is a compound of two elements: the divine name יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhōvâ, H3068), meaning 'the LORD,' and possibly אֵשׁ (ʼêsh, H784), meaning 'fire.' Thus, the name can be interpreted as 'Yahweh has given' or 'Yahweh-fired,' suggesting a gift or endowment from God. It is a variant of the name יוֹאָשׁ (Yôʼâsh, H3101), which carries the same essential meaning.
Semantic Range
The dual accounts of kings named Jehoash illustrate the biblical theme of covenant faithfulness and its consequences. Jehoash of Judah begins well but later declines, showing how even divinely appointed leaders can falter (2 Chronicles 24:17-22). Their stories, set against the backdrop of the divided monarchy, highlight God's ongoing dealings with both the Davidic line in Judah and the rebellious kings of Israel, underscoring His patience and justice in Israel's history.
In ancient Israelite culture, a name was often a statement of faith or a prayer. Bestowing the name Jehoash ('Yahweh has given') likely expressed parental gratitude for the birth of a son, seen as a gift from God. For kings, the name also carried a public expectation of divine support and endowment for their rule. The variant spelling (Jehoash vs. Joash) reflects common linguistic shortening in everyday usage.
יוֹאָשׁ (Yôʼâsh, H3101) — A shortened, more common form of the same name, used interchangeably for the same kings (e.g., 2 Kings 11:2).
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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