Topical Encyclopedia
Introduction:Jotham, a significant figure in the Hebrew Bible, was the son of King Uzziah (also known as Azariah) and the king of Judah. His reign is noted for its stability and adherence to the ways of the Lord, despite the challenges he faced from surrounding nations and internal pressures. Jotham's account is primarily found in the books of 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles.
Background and Reign:Jotham became king of Judah following the leprosy of his father, Uzziah, which rendered Uzziah unable to perform his royal duties. Jotham effectively began his reign as a co-regent and later ruled independently. His reign is recorded in
2 Kings 15:32-38 and
2 Chronicles 27:1-9.
Jotham was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned for sixteen years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jerusha, the daughter of Zadok. The biblical account highlights Jotham's commitment to doing what was right in the eyes of the Lord, following the example of his father, Uzziah, albeit without repeating his father's mistake of unlawfully entering the temple to burn incense (
2 Chronicles 26:16-21).
Religious and Political Achievements:Jotham is credited with significant building projects, including the construction of the Upper Gate of the Temple of the Lord and extensive work on the wall of Ophel (
2 Chronicles 27:3). He also built cities in the hill country of Judah and fortresses and towers in the forests, demonstrating his commitment to strengthening the kingdom's infrastructure and defenses.
Politically, Jotham successfully subdued the Ammonites, who paid him a substantial tribute for three consecutive years. This tribute included a hundred talents of silver, ten thousand cors of wheat, and ten thousand cors of barley (
2 Chronicles 27:5). His military and political successes contributed to the prosperity and stability of Judah during his reign.
Spiritual Legacy:Jotham's reign is characterized by his faithfulness to God, as noted in
2 Chronicles 27:6: "So Jotham grew powerful because he ordered his ways before the LORD his God." Despite his personal piety and efforts to lead the nation in righteousness, the people of Judah continued in their corrupt practices, which would later contribute to the nation's decline.
Challenges and End of Reign:While Jotham's reign was marked by relative peace and prosperity, he faced external threats from neighboring nations, including the rising power of Assyria. The biblical narrative does not provide extensive details about these challenges during his reign, but it sets the stage for the difficulties that his successor, Ahaz, would encounter.
Jotham's reign ended with his death, and he was buried in the City of David. His son Ahaz succeeded him as king. The account of Jotham's reign serves as a reminder of the importance of personal faithfulness and the impact of leadership on a nation's spiritual and political health.
Biblical References:·
2 Kings 15:32-38·
2 Chronicles 27:1-9Library
Jotham
... THE SECOND BOOK OF CHRONICLESJOTHAM. 'SoJotham became mighty, because he prepared
his ways before the Lord his God.'"2 Chronicles 27 6....
The Bramble and the Agnos the Symbol of Chastity; the Four Gospels...
... which is not = agnos. It spoils the force ofJotham's caustic satire to
adopt this conception of our author.]. [2788] 1 Kings 19:4....
The Parables
... happen in real life.Jotham's trees seeking a king, are as incredible as
Aesop's fox leaping for grapes. But Jesus never uttered...
The Earlier Hebrew Histories.
... of the work. Hoshea began to reign in Israel (2 Kings 15:30) in the twentieth
year ofJotham the king of Judah. So far writes our...
How the King of Babylon Took Jerusalem and Burnt the Temple and...
... was Isus; after him was Axioramus; his son was Phidens, and Phideas's son was Sudeas,
and Sudeas's son was Juelus, and Juelus's son wasJotham, andJotham's...
Introductory Note.
... Thus in the "rubo" there may be a reference to the ambitious and conceited "bramble"
ofJotham's parable, [30] and perhaps, too, to the "thistle" of Jehoash's....
The First vision "On Earth"
... What John sees is a vision for the purpose of instructing him; just asJotham's
parable instructed the men of Israel when he represented trees as speaking....
The Preface to the Commandments
... The trees in the field ofJotham's parable, despised the vine-tree, which cheers
both God and man, and the olive which is full of fatness, and the fig-tree...
Thesaurus
Jotham's (2 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Jotham's (2 Occurrences). 2 Kings 15:36 Now the
rest of the acts of
Jotham, and all that he did, are they
...Jotham (26 Occurrences)
... Having delivered his warning,Jotham fled to Beer from the vengeance of Abimelech
(9:7-21). (2.) The son and successor of Uzziah on the throne of Judah....JOTHAM....
Jothan (1 Occurrence)
Genealogy (29 Occurrences)
... made prominent in Hezekiah's reforms when he reckoned the whole nation by genealogies
(1 Chronicles 4:41 2 Chronicles 31:16-19); is seen inJotham's reign when...
Reign (468 Occurrences)
... Chronicles); of the kings of Edom (Genesis 36:31); of Jabin, king of Canaan, in
Razor (Judges 4:2); of Abimelech, Jerubbaal's son, inJotham's fable (Judges 9:8...
Micah (54 Occurrences)
... The superscription to this book states that the prophet exercised his
office in the reigns ofJotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. If we...
Shechem (61 Occurrences)
... make him king (Judges 9:1-6), evidently seeking a certain consecration from association
with "the oak of the pillar that was in Shechem."Jotham's parable was...
Pekah (11 Occurrences)
... The date given to this act is the 20th year ofJotham. AsJotham's reign
lasted but 16 years, this number is evidently an error....
Uzziah (27 Occurrences)
... Both Kings and Chronicles state in nearly identical words: "Jotham the king's son
was over the household, judging the people of the land" (2 Kings 15:5 2...
Azariah (47 Occurrences)
... Both Kings and Chronicles state in nearly identical words: "Jotham the king's son
was over the household, judging the people of the land" (2 Kings 15:5 2...
Resources
Who was King Jotham in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhy do some people in the Bible have more than one name? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about reading or writing fiction? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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