Jehosheba

Jehosheba was a princess of Judah, the daughter of King Jehoram and wife of the high priest Jehoiada. When Queen Athaliah seized the throne and murdered the royal family, Jehosheba courageously rescued the infant prince Joash and hid him in the temple for six years. Her bold act preserved the royal line of David from extinction.

Etymology & Roots

Jehosheba is composed of two Hebrew elements: the theophoric prefix יְהוֹ (Yeho-), an abbreviated form of the divine name יהוה (YHWH), and the root שָׁבַע (shava'), meaning "to swear an oath" or "to be seven." The full name thus declares "Yahweh is an oath" or "Yahweh has sworn." In 2 Chronicles 22:11 she appears as יְהוֹשַׁבְעַת (Jehoshabeath), a variant spelling.

This naming pattern — combining the divine name with a covenant term — is characteristic of Hebrew theophoric names from the monarchic period. Cognate constructions include Bathsheba (בַּת־שֶׁבַע, "daughter of an oath") and Elisheba (אֱלִישֶׁבַע, "my God is an oath"), the wife of Aaron.

Biblical Bearers

Only one Jehosheba appears in Scripture, and her role is pivotal. She was the daughter of King Jehoram of Judah and sister of King Ahaziah, making her a princess of the Davidic line. She married the high priest Jehoiada. When Queen Athaliah attempted to exterminate all royal heirs, Jehosheba spirited away the infant Joash, hiding him in the temple for six years (2 Kings 11:2; 2 Chronicles 22:11). Her singular act of courage preserved the lineage through which the Messiah would come.

Theological Significance

The name Jehosheba — "Yahweh is an oath" — carries profound covenantal resonance. God had sworn to David that his dynasty would endure forever (2 Samuel 7:16), and when Athaliah's murderous purge threatened to extinguish the Davidic line entirely, it was a woman whose very name proclaimed divine oath-keeping who stepped in to preserve it. Her courageous act was not merely heroic; it was the instrument by which Yahweh upheld His sworn covenant.

The six years Joash spent hidden in God's house symbolize the Lord sheltering His promise within His own sanctuary, ensuring no human treachery could nullify what He had sworn.

Discover the meanings and origins of 409 biblical names.