Who was Ishmael in 2 Chronicles?

Ishmael was the son of Jehohanan and one of the commanders who supported the priest Jehoiada in overthrowing the usurper Queen Athaliah to crown the rightful heir, Joash, as king of Judah (2 Chronicles 23:1). He is a distinct figure from Abraham's son Ishmael.

Why is Ishmael (son of Jehohanan) significant in the Bible?

His significance lies in his role in a pivotal political and religious restoration. By helping Jehoiada install the young Joash as king, he helped end Athaliah's idolatrous reign and preserved the Davidic line, which was crucial for God's covenant promises.

What did Ishmael do in the story of King Joash?

Ishmael, as a military leader, obeyed Jehoiada's plan to protect the young prince Joash in the temple. He then helped gather the Levites and tribal leaders to publicly crown Joash, securing a bloodless coup against Queen Athaliah (2 Chronicles 23).

Ishmael

Old TestamentDivided MonarchyMaleKingSon

Ishmael was the son of Jehohanan, who supported Jehoiada in making Joash king (2Ch.23.1).

Ishmael

Biography

Ishmael son of Jehohanan was one of the military commanders who allied with the high priest Jehoiada in the bold conspiracy to overthrow the usurper Queen Athaliah and restore the Davidic monarchy by crowning the young prince Joash (2 Chronicles 23:1). Along with four other commanders, he entered into a covenant with Jehoiada and helped orchestrate the careful plan that brought Joash out of hiding in the temple, where he had been concealed since infancy. The operation required coordinating the temple guards and the Levites across the Sabbath rotations to ensure Joash's protection and Athaliah's removal. Ishmael's participation in this pivotal moment helped preserve the Davidic line and restore legitimate governance to Judah after six years of Athaliah's usurpation.

Significance

Ishmael son of Jehohanan's role in the restoration of Joash represents a defining moment of covenant faithfulness in Judah's history. The conspiracy against Athaliah was not merely political but deeply theological, it preserved the Davidic line through which God had promised an eternal throne (2 Samuel 7). Without the courage of commanders like Ishmael, Athaliah's six-year reign might have permanently extinguished the royal lineage. His willingness to risk his life in covenant partnership with Jehoiada exemplifies the role that loyal military leadership plays in defending God's redemptive promises. Ishmael stands as an example of those who act decisively at critical historical junctures to uphold divine purposes.

Authority Records

Wikidata VIAF Library of Congress GND BnF

FatherAbrahamMotherHagarSpouseBint Al MadadChildBasemathChildNebaiothChildDumahChildNaphishChildJeturChildKedemahChildMibsamChildMishmaChildTemaChildQedar (person)ChildMassaChildHadadChildAdbeelChildMahalathSiblingIsaacSiblingBakol

Verse Appearances (1)

2Chr

2Chr 23:1

References

Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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