יְהוֹיָדָע
Jehojada, the name of three Israelites
Definition
יְהוֹיָדָע (Jehoiada) is a proper name meaning 'Yahweh knows' or 'Yahweh has known.' It is borne by three significant individuals in the Old Testament. The most prominent is Jehoiada the priest (2 Kings 11-12; 2 Chronicles 22-24), who courageously preserved the Davidic line by protecting the young prince Joash and orchestrating the overthrow of the usurper Athaliah. Another is Jehoiada, son of Benaiah, one of David's mighty men and a military leader (2 Samuel 23:20, 1 Chronicles 27:34). A third is a priestly leader who returned from exile with Zerubbabel (Nehemiah 12:10-11, 22).
Biblical Usage
The name appears 48 times, primarily in the historical books of 2 Samuel, 1-2 Kings, 1-2 Chronicles, and Nehemiah. Its usage consistently identifies individuals, with the context determining which Jehoiada is referenced. The priest Jehoiada is central to the narrative of Judah's monarchy in 2 Kings 11-12 and the parallel account in 2 Chronicles 22-24, where his actions as a guardian and reformer are detailed. The warrior Jehoiada appears in lists of David's elite forces (2 Samuel 23:20, 1 Chronicles 11:22).
Etymology
The name is a compound of two Hebrew elements: יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068), the personal name of God (Yahweh), and יָדַע (yāḏaʻ, H3045), meaning 'to know.' Thus, it signifies 'Yahweh knows.' It is a theophoric name, common in Israel, expressing faith in God's intimate knowledge and care. A variant form is יוֹיָדָע (Yôwyâdâʻ, H3111).
Semantic Range
The name Jehoiada, meaning 'Yahweh knows,' is theologically significant, especially embodied by the high priest. His story demonstrates God's providential knowledge and faithfulness to His covenant with David (2 Samuel 7), preserving the messianic line against seemingly insurmountable odds (2 Kings 11). Jehoiada's role as a priestly guardian and reformer highlights God's use of faithful leaders to restore true worship and uphold justice, pointing to the ultimate Priest-King. The name itself is a confession of God's omniscience and personal involvement with His people.
In ancient Israelite culture, names were often descriptive and carried meaning about character, circumstance, or theological belief. A name like Jehoiada was a public declaration of faith in Yahweh's intimate knowledge and relationship with the individual and family. The prominence of individuals bearing this name, especially in the priestly and military aristocracy, reflects its esteemed connotation. The actions of the high priest Jehoiada also illustrate the significant political and religious authority held by the priesthood in the Judean monarchy.
יוֹיָדָע (Yôwyâdâʻ, H3111) — A shortened variant of the same name, used for the father of Benaiah (1 Chronicles 27:34).
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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