Lexical Summary
Yehoachaz: Jehoahaz
Original Word:יְהוֹאָחָז
Part of Speech:Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration:Yhow'achaz
Pronunciation:yeh-ho-aw-khaz'
Phonetic Spelling:(yeh-ho-aw-khawz')
KJV: Jehoahaz
NASB:Jehoahaz, Joahaz
Word Origin:[fromH3068 (יְהוֹוָה - LORD) andH270 (אָחַז - seized)]
1. Jehovah-seized
2. Jehoachaz, the name of three Israelites
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Jehoahaz
FromYhovah and'achaz; Jehovah-seized; Jehoachaz, the name of three Israelites -- Jehoahaz. CompareYow'achaz.
see HEBREWYhovah
see HEBREW'achaz
see HEBREWYow'achaz
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
Yhvh and
achazDefinition"Yah has grasped," the name of several Isr.
NASB TranslationJehoahaz (19), Joahaz (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
, (
hath grasped; , & ; compare also , & cuneiform
Ia-u-—a-zi for Ahaz, see , and compare further Jäger
BAS i. 467 f.) —
king of Judah, son of Josiah2 Kings 23:30,31,34; 2Chronicles 36:1, =2 Chronicles 36:2;2 Chronicles 36:4 (apparently =1 Chronicles 3:15).
king of Israel, son of Jehu2 Kings 10:35;2 Kings 13:1,4,7,8,9,10,22,25 (twice in verse);2 Kings 14:8;2 Kings 14:17; 2Chronicles 25:17,25 =2 Kings 14:1.
king of Judah, son of Jehoram of Judah 2Chronicles 21:17; 25:23 = ()
, q. v.
father of Josiah's chronicler 2Chronicles 34:8.
Topical Lexicon
Name SignificanceThe name Jehoahaz testifies that deliverance and authority ultimately rest in the grasp of Yahweh. Each bearer’s account illustrates how divine sovereignty overrules human strength and political maneuvering.
Jehoahaz Son of Jehu, King of Israel (c. 814–798 BC)
• Ascended the throne after Jehu’s death (2 Kings 10:35).
• “He did evil in the sight of the LORD and followed the sins of Jeroboam” (2 Kings 13:2), continuing the cult at Bethel and Dan.
• Suffered severe oppression from Aram. His army was reduced to “fifty horsemen, ten chariots, and ten thousand foot soldiers” (2 Kings 13:7)—a graphic picture of covenant curses coming upon an idolatrous nation.
• In desperation “Jehoahaz sought the favor of the LORD, and the LORD listened to him” (2 Kings 13:4). God raised a “deliverer” (ultimately fulfilled through Jehoash and Jeroboam II) who enabled Israel to recover lost cities (2 Kings 13:5, 25).
• Reigned seventeen years; buried in Samaria; succeeded by his son Jehoash (2 Kings 13:9–10).
Spiritual Lesson: Even partial repentance meets a merciful God, yet long-term blessing requires wholehearted obedience (cf.2 Kings 13:11).
Jehoahaz (Ahaziah) Son of Jehoram, King of Judah (c. 841 BC)
• Called Jehoahaz in2 Chronicles 21:17; more often Ahaziah in Kings.
• The only surviving prince after the Philistine–Arab raid (2 Chronicles 21:17).
• Ruled one year; influenced by his mother Athaliah and the house of Ahab to practice idolatry (2 Chronicles 22:3–4).
• Mortally wounded at Jezreel and executed by Jehu (2 Kings 9:27).
Spiritual Lesson: Compromise with ungodly alliances quickly erodes covenant faithfulness and shortens influence.
Jehoahaz Son of Josiah, King of Judah (Shallum) – 609 BC
• The people elevated him after Josiah’s death (2 Kings 23:30;2 Chronicles 36:1).
• Reigned three months; “he did evil in the sight of the LORD” (2 Kings 23:32).
• Pharaoh Neco deported him to Egypt, where he died (2 Kings 23:34;Jeremiah 22:11–12).
Covenantal Implication: Judah’s final kings confirm prophetic warnings—rejecting Yahweh leads inexorably to exile.
Jehoahaz in Subsequent References
The royal name becomes a chronological marker for the reigns of Amaziah king of Judah (2 Kings 14:8, 17;2 Chronicles 25:17, 23, 25) and for the genealogy of Jehoash king of Israel (2 Kings 13:10; 14:8 etc.). These notices keep the covenant record precise and underscore the continuity of divine judgment and mercy through successive generations.
Key Theological Themes
1. Divine sovereignty: Every Jehoahaz rises and falls at the LORD’s word (cf.Daniel 2:21).
2. Mercy amid judgment: God responds to sincere supplication even from a largely apostate king (2 Kings 13:4-5).
3. Covenant faithfulness required: Brief and troubled reigns of the southern Jehoahazes highlight the consequences of abandoning the Law.
4. Prophetic validation: The fates of these kings align with prophetic declarations (Elisha to Jehoahaz of Israel; Jeremiah to Jehoahaz/Shallum).
Ministry Application
• Pray for rulers. The northern Jehoahaz experienced tangible relief when he turned to God; intercession still matters (1 Timothy 2:1-3).
• Guard alliances and counsel. Ahaziah/Jehoahaz’s downfall warns leaders and believers to avoid entanglement with ungodly influences (2 Corinthians 6:14).
• Remember that position does not guarantee blessing. Three months or seventeen years—without obedience, reigns are summarized by “he did evil.”
• Trust God’s bigger narrative. Even in political turbulence, the LORD preserves a remnant and advances redemptive history toward the ultimate Son of David whose kingdom will never end.
Forms and Transliterations
יְהֽוֹאָחָ֖ז יְהֽוֹאָחָז֙ יְהוֹאָחָ֖ז יְהוֹאָחָ֗ז יְהוֹאָחָ֛ז יְהוֹאָחָ֣ז יְהוֹאָחָ֤ז יְהוֹאָחָ֥ז יְהוֹאָחָ֧ז יְהוֹאָחָ֨ז יְהוֹאָחָֽז׃ יהואחז יהואחז׃ לִיהוֹאָחָ֜ז ליהואחז lî·hō·w·’ā·ḥāz lihoaChaz lîhōw’āḥāz yə·hō·w·’ā·ḥāz yehoaChaz yəhōw’āḥāz
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