Original Word: יְהוֹזָבָד
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Yhowzabad
Pronunciation: yeh-ho-zaw-bawd'
Phonetic Spelling: (yeh-ho-zaw-bawd')
KJV: Jehozabad
NASB: Jehozabad
Word Origin: [from H3068 (יְהוֹוָה - LORD) and H2064 (זָבַד - endowed)]

1. Jehovah-endowed
2. Jehozabad, the name of three Israelites

Jehozabad

From Yhovah and zabad; Jehovah-endowed; Jehozabad, the name of three Israelites -- Jehozabad. Compare Yowzabad.

see HEBREW Yhovah

see HEBREW zabad

see HEBREW Yowzabad

Word Origin
from Yhvh and zabad
Definition
"the LORD has bestowed," name of a number of Isr.
NASB Translation
Jehozabad (4).

יְהוֺזָבָד, יוֺזָבָד proper name, masculine ᵐ5 usually Ἰωζαβαδ (׳י hath beetowed; compare Palmyrene נבוזבד Vog⁷³; see also זְבַדְיָהוּ, זַבְדִּיאֵל) —

1 יְהוֺזָבָד servant & murderer of Joash of Judah 2 Kings 12:22 (ᵐ5 Ἰεζεβουθ) = 2 Chronicles 24:26 (ᵐ5 Ζωζαβεδ, Ἰωζαβεδ, Ἰωζαβεθ).

2 יוֺזָבָד three of David's mighty men,

a. 1 Chronicles 12:5;

b. v.1 Chronicles 12:21;

c. v.1 Chronicles 12:21 (ᵐ5 Ἰωζαβειθ, Ἰωζαβειδ).

3 יְהוֺזָבָד a Benjamite chief 2 Chronicles 17:18.

4 priests & Levites,

a. יְהוֺזָבָד 1 Chronicles 26:4;

b. יוֺזָבָד2Chronicles 31:13 (ᵐ5 Ἐζαβαθ, Ἰωαζαβαθ; ᵐ5^L Ἰωαζαβαδ);

c.2Chronicles 35:9 (ᵐ5 Ἰωζαβαδ; ᵐ5^L as foregoing);

d. Ezra 8:33;

e. Ezra 10:22;

f. Ezra 10:23;

g. Nehemiah 8:7;

h. Nehemiah 11:16; (

d. f. g. &

h. perhaps the same man).

Occurrences and Contexts

Jehozabad appears four times in the Old Testament, referring to three distinct men (2 Kings 12:21; 1 Chronicles 26:4; 2 Chronicles 17:18; 2 Chronicles 24:26). Together these references span priestly service, military leadership, and political intrigue, illustrating the varied ways individuals bearing the same covenant name could influence the life of Israel and Judah.

Levitical Service—Son of Obed-Edom (1 Chronicles 26:4)

Jehozabad is listed second among the eight sons of Obed-Edom, the Gittite whose household was blessed when the Ark of the Covenant temporarily rested there (2 Samuel 6:10-12). 1 Chronicles 26 details how Obed-Edom’s sons became gatekeepers: “Obed-edom also had sons: Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second…”. Their assignment placed them at the thresholds of the temple complex, safeguarding holiness and facilitating worship. The inclusion of Jehozabad in this family line underscores a multigenerational legacy of reverence, diligence, and blessing that flowed from welcoming the presence of God. His service, though unadorned by dramatic narrative, models quiet fidelity in the unseen tasks that uphold congregational worship.

Military Leadership under Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicles 17:18)

During King Jehoshaphat’s reign, the Chronicler records a well-organized defense force: “and next to him Jehozabad with 180,000 trained troops for battle”. Jehoshaphat’s reforms combined covenant teaching with strategic preparedness; Jehozabad’s command of a vast contingent illustrates how spiritual renewal and national security worked hand in hand. Standing alongside leaders from both Judah and Benjamin, this Jehozabad embodies disciplined strength submitted to righteous authority. His presence among the king’s mighty men testifies that military power, when aligned with covenant faithfulness, serves as an instrument for protecting worship rather than supplanting it.

The Conspiracy against King Joash (2 Kings 12:21; 2 Chronicles 24:26)

A very different Jehozabad emerges in the accounts of Joash’s assassination. After Joash turned from the LORD and ordered the stoning of Zechariah son of Jehoiada, divine judgment fell. “His servants Jozacar son of Shimeath and Jehozabad son of Shomer struck him down” (2 Kings 12:21; cf. 2 Chronicles 24:26). Chronicles adds that Jehozabad’s mother was a Moabite, highlighting foreign influence in Judah’s court. While Scripture neither excuses nor praises the conspiracy, it presents the deed as the outworking of retributive justice on a king who had violated covenant loyalty and shed innocent blood. Jehozabad’s participation warns that wronged consciences, unresolved grievances, and compromised leadership can combine to produce violent upheaval.

Theological and Practical Reflections

1. Shared Name, Divergent Paths

The same covenant name surfaces in priestly, military, and murderous contexts. The contrast reminds believers that heritage and nomenclature do not guarantee character; each generation must choose obedience.

2. Faithfulness in Small and Great Things

Jehozabad the gatekeeper served quietly, Jehozabad the commander wielded great authority, and Jehozabad the assassin acted covertly. Their accounts collectively affirm that the LORD weighs both hidden and public deeds, rewarding steadfast devotion and judging treachery.

3. Covenant Blessing and Accountability

Obed-Edom’s line enjoyed enduring blessing because they revered the Ark. Joash forfeited divine favor by abandoning the temple he once restored. Jehozabad’s varied appearances frame the chronicled history with the principle that God remains faithful to bless obedience and to discipline rebellion.

4. God’s Sovereign Purposes

Whether through a vigilant sentinel, a disciplined general, or even an avenging conspirator, Scripture shows the outworking of divine purposes in Israel’s story. Each Jehozabad played a role—one guarding the house of the LORD, one defending the kingdom, and one executing judgment—demonstrating that the LORD of hosts rules over all human affairs.

Summary

Jehozabad’s name threads through Israel’s chronicles to display the breadth of covenant life: worship, warfare, and royal administration. His varied bearers teach that wholehearted allegiance to the LORD, not merely a pious name, secures blessing and lasting honor.

וִיה֣וֹזָבָ֔ד וִיהוֹזָבָ֨ד ויהוזבד יְהוֹזָבָ֑ד יְהוֹזָבָ֣ד יהוזבד vihozaVad wî·hō·w·zā·ḇāḏ wîhōwzāḇāḏ yə·hō·w·zā·ḇāḏ yəhōwzāḇāḏ yehozaVadInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts