Jehoash of Judah

Jehoash (Hebrew: יְהֹואָשׁ, Yəhôʾāš ; “Jehovah-given”; Greek: Ιωας; Latin: Joas), also known as Joash (in King James Version), Joas (in Douay–Rheims) or Joás (Hebrew: יֹואָשׁ, Yôʾāš), was a king of Judah, and the sole surviving son of Ahaziah after the massacre of the royal family ordered by his grandmother, Athaliah. He was also the first Judahite king to be descended from both the House of David and the House of Omri, through his paternal grandmother and predecessor, Athaliah. His mother was Zibiah of Beersheba. Jehoash was 7 years old when his reign began, and he reigned for 40 years. (2 Kings 12:1,2 Chronicles 24:1) He was succeeded by his son, Amaziah of Judah.

William F. Albright has dated his reign to 837 – 800 BC, while E. R. Thiele offers the dates 835 – 796 BC.

The Gospel of Matthew does not list Jehoash of Judah in the genealogy of Jesus, being one of four kings of Judah so omitted, the other three being Ahaziah, Amaziah, and Jehoiakim.

Early life

While yet an infant, his paternal aunt Jehosheba saved him from the general massacre of the family commanded by his paternal grandmother Athaliah, and he was apparently the only surviving male descendant of his grandfather Jehoram. His uncle, the priest Jehoiada, brought him to public notice when he was seven years of age, and had Jehoash crowned and anointed king. Athaliah was taken by surprise when she heard the shout of the people, “God save the king!”; and when she appeared in the Temple to challenge this coup, Jehoiada commanded her to be taken out of the Temple to be put to death.