Jehoram
“Jehovah is exalted”
Summary
A Hebrew name meaning 'Jehovah is exalted,' borne by two contemporary kings—one of Israel (son of Ahab) and one of Judah (son of Jehoshaphat)—as well as a Levite and a priest; the contracted form is Joram.
☩Name and Etymology
The Hebrew name יְהוֹרָם (Yehoram) means 'Jehovah is exalted.' It also appears in the contracted form יוֹרָם (Yoram), rendered 'Joram' in English translations. The Septuagint uniformly renders it as Ἰωράμ (Ioram). Five men bear this name in Scripture, but two are particularly prominent—the kings of Israel and Judah who reigned contemporaneously.
☩Jehoram, King of Israel
The son of Ahab and Jezebel, Jehoram succeeded his elder brother Ahaziah, who died childless. He was the tenth king of Israel and reigned twelve years (853-841 BC; 2 Kings 1:17; 3:1). Though he put away the pillar of Baal his father had made (2 Kings 3:2), he continued in the sins of Jeroboam and the worship of the golden calves. His reign was marked by the Moabite rebellion under King Mesha, which led to a joint campaign with Jehoshaphat of Judah and the king of Edom. The allies were miraculously delivered from perishing for lack of water through Elisha's intervention, and they devastated Moab but failed to completely subdue Mesha after his desperate sacrifice of his son (2 Kings 3). Jehoram maintained a fluctuating relationship with Elisha—sometimes benefiting from the prophet's aid against the Syrians, but later turning hostile during the famine of Samaria's siege (2 Kings 6-7). He was wounded fighting Hazael of Syria at Ramoth-gilead and returned to Jezreel to recover, where Jehu conspired against him and shot him through the heart, fulfilling Elijah's prophecy against Ahab's house. His body was cast into Naboth's field (2 Kings 9:14-26).
☩Jehoram, King of Judah
The son of Jehoshaphat, Jehoram of Judah began to reign about 849 BC and ruled eight years (2 Kings 8:16-24; 2 Chronicles 21:1-20). To cement the alliance between Israel and Judah, he married Athaliah, daughter of Ahab and Jezebel—a union that proved disastrous for Judah. Following his father-in-law's religion, 'he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, as did the house of Ahab' (2 Kings 8:18). He not only accepted Baal worship but became a persecutor, compelling Jerusalem's inhabitants to become apostates (2 Chronicles 21:11, 13). In true oriental fashion, he began his reign by murdering his six brothers and other princes (2 Chronicles 21:4). A letter from the prophet Elijah denounced his wickedness, predicting a severe plague upon him and his house (2 Chronicles 21:12-15). His reign was filled with calamities: Edom revolted and established permanent independence (2 Kings 8:20-22); Libnah rebelled; and Philistines and Arabians invaded, carrying off his wives and sons except Ahaziah, his youngest (2 Chronicles 21:16-17). He died of a terrible intestinal disease after two years of suffering, 'departed without being desired,' and was buried in Jerusalem but not in the tombs of the kings (2 Chronicles 21:18-20).
☩Other Persons Named Jehoram
Three other men bear this name: (1) The son of Toi, king of Hamath, sent by his father to congratulate David on his victory over Hadadezer (2 Samuel 8:10, called 'Joram'; elsewhere Hadoram in 1 Chronicles 18:10). (2) A Levite of the family of Gershom, employed in special services connected with the Temple treasury (1 Chronicles 26:25, called 'Joram'). (3) One of the priests sent by Jehoshaphat to instruct the people in the Law throughout Judah (2 Chronicles 17:8).
Related Verses33 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Jehoram," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IV (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Jehoram; Joram," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. III (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Jehoram," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).