Meshullemeth
Meshullemeth, the mother of Amon, king of Judah, was from Jotbah (2Ki.21.19).
Biography
Meshullemeth was the wife of King Manasseh of Judah and mother of King Amon, as recorded in 2 Kings 21:19. She was the daughter of Haruz and hailed from the town of Jotbah, a location likely situated in the region of Galilee or the northern territories. Her marriage to Manasseh, who reigned for fifty-five years and is remembered as one of Judah's most wicked kings, placed her at the center of a court steeped in idolatry and pagan worship. Her son Amon continued his father's evil practices during his brief two-year reign before being assassinated by his own servants. Meshullemeth is one of the few queen mothers from the divided monarchy era whose name and hometown are preserved in the biblical record, reflecting the Deuteronomistic historian's interest in the maternal influence on royal character.
Significance
Meshullemeth's mention in the royal records of Judah reflects the biblical historian's recognition that queen mothers wielded significant influence over the spiritual direction of the monarchy. The consistent pattern of naming each king's mother alongside his moral evaluation suggests a theological connection between maternal influence and royal behavior. Meshullemeth's son Amon perpetuated the idolatrous practices of Manasseh, yet her grandson Josiah became one of Judah's most righteous kings, demonstrating that God's grace can break cycles of wickedness. Her story contributes to the broader biblical theme that human lineage and influence, while significant, do not ultimately determine spiritual destiny. God remains sovereign over the royal line, capable of raising righteous leaders even from families marked by persistent unfaithfulness.
Verse Appearances (1)
2 Kings
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]
- Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]