יְהוֹזָבָד
Jehozabad, the name of three Israelites
Definition
Jehozabad is a proper name meaning 'Yahweh has bestowed' or 'Yahweh has endowed.' It is borne by three distinct individuals in the Old Testament. The first is a son of Shomer, one of the assassins of King Joash of Judah (2 Kings 12:21, 2 Chronicles 24:26). The second is a Korahite gatekeeper in the temple during David's reign (1 Chronicles 26:4). The third is a military commander under King Jehoshaphat, responsible for 180,000 troops (2 Chronicles 17:18). Each man's story reflects the name's meaning of divine endowment in different roles—whether tragically in conspiracy, faithfully in temple service, or powerfully in military leadership.
Biblical Usage
The name Jehozabad appears in historical narratives across 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, and 2 Chronicles. It is used exclusively for male Israelites, with each occurrence identifying a specific individual in a distinct context: a royal assassin, a temple official, and an army commander. The usage shows no thematic pattern beyond the individuals' actions, serving primarily to identify persons within Israel's national and religious history. Key verses include 2 Chronicles 24:26 for the conspirator and 2 Chronicles 17:18 for the military leader.
Etymology
Jehozabad is a compound name derived from 'Yahweh' (H3068, יְהֹוָה), the personal name of God, and the verb 'zabad' (H2064, זָבַד), meaning 'to give' or 'to endow.' Thus, it literally translates to 'Yahweh has given.' This name follows a common Hebrew naming pattern where God's action (giving) is celebrated. A variant form is Jozabad (H3107, יוֹזָבָד), which shortens the divine name component.
Semantic Range
The name Jehozabad highlights the Israelite practice of embedding theological truths into personal identity, acknowledging Yahweh as the source of all gifts. It reflects a worldview where human endowment—whether of position, skill, or destiny—is seen as directly bestowed by God. Understanding this name enriches reading by reminding us that biblical characters, even those involved in evil (like the assassin), operated within a framework of divine sovereignty. The name serves as a silent testimony to God's granting of roles, for good or ill, in the unfolding of His story.
In ancient Israel, names were often descriptive and carried significant meaning, acting as a statement of faith or circumstance. A name like Jehozabad ('Yahweh has endowed') would publicly affirm the family's belief that the child was a gift from God and that his future role was divinely appointed. This contrasts with modern naming, which often prioritizes sound or family tradition over literal meaning. The different bearers of the name—from soldier to gatekeeper—show that 'endowment' by Yahweh was understood broadly, covering various societal functions.
Jozabad (Yôwzâbâd, H3107) — A shortened variant of the same name, meaning 'Yahweh has endowed,' used for several other individuals in Chronicles and Ezra.
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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