Jehoash
“Jehovah has bestowed, or given by the Lord”
Summary
The uncontracted form of Joash, borne by two kings: the eighth king of Judah who repaired the Temple, and the twelfth king of Israel who defeated the Syrians.
☩Jehoash of Judah
Jehoash (also called Joash), son of King Ahaziah by Zibiah of Beersheba, was the ninth king of Judah who reigned forty years beginning around 852 BC. As an infant, he was secretly saved from Queen Athaliah's massacre of the royal princes by his aunt Jehosheba, wife of the high priest Jehoiada, and hidden in the Temple for six years. At age seven, Jehoiada organized a successful counter-revolution, crowning the young king and executing Athaliah. Under Jehoiada's influence, Jehoash repaired the Temple and restored proper worship, but after the priest's death he declined spiritually, even ordering the murder of Jehoiada's son Zechariah. His reign ended in Syrian invasion, personal illness, and assassination by his own servants.
☩Jehoash of Israel
Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz was the twelfth king of Israel who reigned sixteen years beginning around 813 BC. Though he continued the calf worship of his predecessors, he showed genuine piety toward the prophet Elisha, weeping at his deathbed and calling him 'the chariot of Israel and the horsemen thereof.' Elisha promised him three victories over Syria, which were fulfilled after the prophet's death. Jehoash also defeated King Amaziah of Judah, breaking down part of Jerusalem's wall and plundering the Temple and palace treasuries.
See Also
References
- 1.James Orr (ed.), "Jehoash; Joash," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. III (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 2.John McClintock and James Strong, "Jehoash," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IV (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).