Lexical Summary
Yehoshaphat: Jehoshaphat
Original Word:יְהוֹשָׁפָט
Part of Speech:proper name, masculine; proper name, of a location
Transliteration:Yhowshaphat
Pronunciation:yeh-ho-shaw-fat'
Phonetic Spelling:(yeh-ho-shaw-fawt')
KJV: Jehoshaphat
NASB:Jehoshaphat, Joshaphat
Word Origin:[fromH3068 (יְהוֹוָה - LORD) andH8199 (שָׁפַט - judge)]
1. Jehovah-judged
2. Jehoshaphat, the name of six Israelites
3. also of a valley near Jerusalem
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Jehoshaphat
FromYhovah andshaphat; Jehovah-judged; Jehoshaphat, the name of six Israelites; also of a valley near Jerusalem -- Jehoshaphat. CompareYowshaphat.
see HEBREWYhovah
see HEBREWshaphat
see HEBREWYowshaphat
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
Yhvh and
shaphatDefinition"the LORD has judged," the name of a number of Isr.
NASB TranslationJehoshaphat (84), Joshaphat (2).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
, , (
hath judged, compare , & references) —
(so all except
&
)1 Kings 15:24;1 Kings 22:2 21t. 1Kings;2 Kings 1:17;2 Kings 3:1,7,11,12 (twice in verse);2 Kings 3:14;2 Kings 8:16 (twice in verse);2 Kings 12:19;1 Chronicles 3:10; 2Chronicles 17:1 40t. 2 Chronicles.
2 Kings 9:2,14.
2 Samuel 8:16;1 Kings 4:3;1 Chronicles 18:15; also2 Samuel 20:24 (L ).
one of Solomon's 12 officers who provided victuals for the royal household1 Kings 4:17 (L ).
one of David's heroes1 Chronicles 11:43.
a priest & trumpeter in David's time1 Chronicles 15:24.
in
Joel1 Chronicles 4:2,12, symbolical name of a valley near Jerusalem, place of ultimate judgement.
Topical Lexicon
Occurrences and Bearers• King Jehoshaphat of Judah, son of Asa, fourth monarch of the Southern Kingdom (1 Kings 15:24;1 Kings 22;2 Chronicles 17–21).
• Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud, royal recorder under David and Solomon (2 Samuel 8:16;2 Samuel 20:24;1 Kings 4:3).
• Jehoshaphat son of Paruah, district governor over Issachar in Solomon’s administrative system (1 Kings 4:17).
• Jehoshaphat the priest who helped convey the Law during the king’s teaching mission (2 Chronicles 17:8) and who earlier blew trumpets before the ark (1 Chronicles 15:24).
• Jehoshaphat son of Nimshi, father of Jehu the reforming king of Israel (1 Kings 19:16;2 Kings 9:2, 14).
• A few additional Levites and post-exilic signatories (for example,2 Chronicles 21:2) bear the name.
• The “Valley of Jehoshaphat” as a place of divine judgment (Joel 3:2, 12).
King Jehoshaphat of Judah
Early Piety and Security
“The LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the earlier ways of his father David…” (2 Chronicles 17:3-4). Upon accession (circa 873 BC) he fortified garrisons, placed troops throughout the land, and received tribute from surrounding nations (2 Chronicles 17:1-6, 10-11). His initiatives show how covenant faithfulness brings both spiritual and material stability.
Teaching Mission
In the third year the king commissioned officials, Levites, and priests to “teach in Judah, having the Book of the Law of the LORD with them” (2 Chronicles 17:7-9). Scripture, not royal decree alone, was made the standard for national life, anticipating later reforms by Hezekiah and Josiah.
Alliance with Ahab
Although personally faithful, Jehoshaphat “made an alliance by marriage with Ahab” (2 Chronicles 18:1). At Ramoth-gilead he nearly lost his life; only divine intervention spared him when he cried out (2 Chronicles 18:31). Micaiah’s lonely prophecy (1 Kings 22:17;2 Chronicles 18:16) and the king’s subsequent rebuke from Jehu the seer (2 Chronicles 19:2) underline the danger of compromising fellowship for political gain. Yet the Chronicler affirms, “There is some good in you” (2 Chronicles 19:3), balancing stern warning with gracious acknowledgment.
Judicial Reforms
He stationed judges in every fortified city and charged them, “There is no injustice or partiality or bribery with the LORD our God” (2 Chronicles 19:7). In Jerusalem, a high court of priests, Levites, and heads of families handled both religious and civil cases (2 Chronicles 19:8-11), modeling an integrated view of worship and jurisprudence.
Deliverance from the Trans-Jordan Coalition
When Moabites, Ammonites, and Meunites advanced, Jehoshaphat proclaimed a fast and gathered the nation at the temple. His prayer (2 Chronicles 20:6-12) invokes the covenant, admits helplessness—“We are powerless… we do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You” (verse 12)—and anticipates the gospel theme of salvation by divine initiative. Jahaziel’s prophetic assurance (verses 14-17) led to a worship procession: “At the moment they began their shouts and praises, the LORD set ambushes” (verse 22). The battle was won without Judah lifting a sword, and the spoil-filled Valley of Beracah (“Blessing”) commemorated God’s faithfulness.
Maritime Venture with Ahaziah
A second ill-chosen alliance, this time with the wicked king of Israel Ahaziah, sought to reopen Solomon’s trade route. “Because you have made an alliance with Ahaziah, the LORD has destroyed your works,” Eliezer prophesied; the fleet wrecked at Ezion-Geber (2 Chronicles 20:35-37). Obedience affects economics as surely as warfare.
Final Assessment
“He walked in all the ways of his father Asa; he did not turn aside from them” (1 Kings 22:43). The Chronicler adds that the people, not the king, left many high places (2 Chronicles 20:33), harmonizing the two accounts. Jehoshaphat’s reign of twenty-five years set a benchmark of godly administration, though his son Jehoram’s marriage into Ahab’s house sowed later disaster (2 Chronicles 21:5-6).
Other Ministry Figures Named Jehoshaphat
Recorder and Chronicler
Under David and Solomon, Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud preserved state records (2 Samuel 8:16). His faithful stewardship of history parallels the later literary efforts that produced Samuel–Kings and Chronicles.
Governor of Issachar
As one of twelve regional deputies (1 Kings 4:7, 17), Jehoshaphat son of Paruah oversaw grain and taxation for Solomon’s court, illustrating the administrative reach of the united monarchy.
Priestly Trumpeter and Teacher
A priest named Jehoshaphat helped escort the Ark (1 Chronicles 15:24) and generations later joined the king’s teaching corps (2 Chronicles 17:8). The same name thus links worship, instruction, and national revival.
Father of Jehu
By calling the reformer Jehu “son of Jehoshaphat, son of Nimshi” (2 Kings 9:2, 14), Scripture anchors Jehu’s zeal in a lineage whose very name recalls divine judgment—fitting for the man appointed to end Ahab’s dynasty.
Valley of Jehoshaphat
Joel foretells a day when the nations will be gathered “into the Valley of Jehoshaphat. There I will enter into judgment against them” (Joel 3:2, 12). Whether a literal ravine near Jerusalem or a prophetic title meaning “The LORD Judges,” the valley becomes emblematic of final accountability and vindication for God’s people, echoing the personal deliverances experienced by the king who bore the same name.
Theological Themes
1. Divine Judgment and Mercy: The name itself—borne by kings, clerks, and places—repeatedly frames scenes where God judges enemies yet shows mercy to those who seek Him.
2. Prayer-Centered Leadership: From national fasts to courtroom exhortations, Jehoshaphat models public dependence on God.
3. Dangers of Unequal Alliance: Political pragmatism with idolatrous partners compromises testimony and invites discipline.
4. Word-Based Reform: Sending teachers with the Law (2 Chronicles 17:9) underscores that lasting renewal flows from Scripture.
5. Worship as Warfare: Choirs lead the army (2 Chronicles 20:21-22), prefiguring the New Testament call to spiritual battle through praise and truth (Ephesians 6:17-18).
Prophetic Echoes and Messianic Line
Jehoshaphat’s dynasty carries the promise to David forward, keeping alive the genealogical line that culminates in “Jesus the Messiah, the son of David” (Matthew 1:1). His reign anticipates the righteous rule, perfect judgment, and universal peace that reach their fullness in the greater Son of David.
Practical Reflections
• Seek Scripture-saturated solutions to national and personal crises.
• Guard against alliances that dilute holiness, no matter how promising.
• Remember that praise is not a prelude to battle but often the battle itself.
• Trust the righteous Judge who once rescued Judah in the valley of blessing and will one day gather all nations to the valley of decision.
Forms and Transliterations
וְיהוֹשָׁפָ֥ט וִֽיהוֹשָׁפָ֣ט וִֽיהוֹשָׁפָ֥ט וִיהֽוֹשָׁפָט֙ וִיהוֹשָׁפָ֖ט וִיהוֹשָׁפָ֥ט ויהושפט יְה֣וֹשָׁפָ֔ט יְהֽוֹשָׁפָ֑ט יְהֽוֹשָׁפָט֙ יְהוֹשָׁפָ֑ט יְהוֹשָׁפָ֔ט יְהוֹשָׁפָ֖ט יְהוֹשָׁפָ֗ט יְהוֹשָׁפָ֛ט יְהוֹשָׁפָ֜ט יְהוֹשָׁפָ֡ט יְהוֹשָׁפָ֣ט יְהוֹשָׁפָ֥ט יְהוֹשָׁפָ֨ט יְהוֹשָׁפָֽט׃ יהושפט יהושפט׃ לִֽיהוֹשָׁפָ֛ט לִֽיהוֹשָׁפָט֙ לִיהוֹשָׁפָ֑ט לִיהוֹשָׁפָ֖ט ליהושפט lî·hō·wō·šā·p̄āṭ lihoshaFat lîhōwōšāp̄āṭ vhoshaFat vihoshaFat w·hō·wō·šā·p̄āṭ whōwōšāp̄āṭ wî·hō·wō·šā·p̄āṭ wîhōwōšāp̄āṭ yə·hō·wō·šā·p̄āṭ yeHooshaFat yehoshaFat yəhōwōšāp̄āṭ
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