Lexical Summary Yehoshabath: Jehoshabeath Original Word: יְהוֹשַׁבְעַת Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Jehoshabeath A form of Yhowsheba'; Jehoshabath, an Israelitess -- Jehoshabeath. see HEBREW Yhowsheba' NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originalternate spelling of Yehosheba, q.v. NASB Translation Jehoshabeath (2). Topical Lexicon Name and Variants Jehoshebeath is the Chronicler’s spelling of the royal woman known elsewhere as Jehosheba (2 Kings 11:2). The longer form emphasizes the covenant Name of God within her own, underscoring the divine oath that safeguards the Davidic house. Occurrences in Scripture The Hebrew form יְהוֹשַׁבְעַת appears twice in 2 Chronicles 22:11, where the writer details her decisive intervention during Athaliah’s usurpation. Historical Context After the death of King Ahaziah of Judah, his idolatrous mother Athaliah seized the throne and ordered the extermination of all potential heirs. The kingdom tottered on the brink of losing the Davidic line—an outcome that would have contradicted the promises sworn to David (2 Samuel 7:12-16; Psalm 89:3-4). Act of Deliverance 2 Chronicles 22:11 records: “But Jehoshebeath the daughter of the king took Joash son of Ahaziah and stole him away from among the royal princes who were being put to death and hid him and his nurse in a bedroom. Because Jehoshebeath was the daughter of King Jehoram and the wife of Jehoiada the priest, she hid Joash from Athaliah so that she could not kill him.” Risking her life, she removed the infant Joash from the slaughter, sheltered him for six years within the Temple precincts, and entrusted him to her husband, the high priest Jehoiada. This single act averted the extinction of David’s dynasty. Preservation of the Davidic Covenant The Messiah was promised to come through David’s line (Isaiah 9:6-7; Jeremiah 23:5-6). By rescuing Joash, Jehoshebeath became a crucial, if often overlooked, agent in safeguarding that line. Her courage ensured that the genealogical thread leading to Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:6-16; Luke 3:31-32) remained unbroken. Alliance of Crown and Priesthood Married to Jehoiada, she uniquely embodied the union of royal blood and priestly office. Their partnership advanced a godly reform when Joash was crowned (2 Chronicles 23:1-11). Through her, the monarchy and the priesthood worked in harmony, foreshadowing the perfect union of the two offices in the Person of Christ (Zechariah 6:12-13; Hebrews 7:1-3). Spiritual and Practical Lessons 1. Covenant faithfulness: God uses obedient individuals, even when they seem insignificant, to fulfill His promises. Typological and Prophetic Implications Her concealment of the heir prefigures the later preservation of the promised Seed from murderous rulers—echoes appear in the flight of the infant Jesus from Herod (Matthew 2:13-16). Both accounts display divine sovereignty overruling royal tyranny to keep redemptive history on course. Related Passages 2 Kings 11:2-3 parallels the Chronicles narrative. The broader account unfolds in 2 Chronicles 22:10-23:21. Psalm 132:11 and Isaiah 11:1 frame the theological backdrop of a safeguarded Davidic branch. Conclusion Jehoshebeath stands as a heroine of covenant faithfulness. Her unseen yet pivotal ministry preserved the royal line, enabled the righteous reign of Joash, and ultimately served the unfolding plan of redemption that culminates in Jesus Christ. Forms and Transliterations יְהוֹשַׁבְעַ֣ת יְהוֹשַׁבְעַ֨ת יהושבעת yə·hō·wō·šaḇ·‘aṯ yehoshavAt yəhōwōšaḇ‘aṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Chronicles 22:11 HEB: וַתִּקַּח֩ יְהוֹשַׁבְעַ֨ת בַּת־ הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ NAS: But Jehoshabeath the king's daughter KJV: But Jehoshabeath, the daughter INT: took Jehoshabeath daughter the king's 2 Chronicles 22:11 2 Occurrences |
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