or יְהוֹעַדָּן; from יְהֹוָה and עָדַן; Jehovahpleased; Jehoaddin or Jehoaddan, an Israelitess; Jehoaddan.
Transliteration:Yᵉhôwʻaddîyn
Pronunciation:yeh-ho-ad-deen'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew proper noun H3086 (יְהוֹעַדִּין, Yᵉhôwʻaddîyn) is a theophoric name, meaning it incorporates a divine element. Its etymology is derived from two components: יְהֹוָה (YHWH, or Jehovah), the personal name of God, and עָדַן (ʻâdan), a verb root meaning "to be luxurious, delicate, delightful, or to take delight." The name is also found in the variant spelling יְהוֹעַדָּן (Yᵉhôwʻaddân), which represents a minor phonetic variation with no change in meaning.
Combining these elements, H3086 conveys the meaning "Jehovah is pleased," "Jehovah delights," or "Jehovah has given delight." It speaks to a divine disposition of favor, pleasure, or the bestowal of joy. As a personal name, its semantic range is limited to this specific meaning, reflecting the hopes or theological convictions of the parents who bestowed it.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name H3086 appears in the Hebrew Bible in two identical occurrences, referring to the same individual:
* [[2 Kings 14:2]]: "He was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem."
* [[2 Chronicles 25:1]]: "Amaziah was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem."
In both instances, H3086 identifies Jehoaddan (or Jehoaddan), the mother of Amaziah, who was king of Judah. She is explicitly noted as being "of Jerusalem," a common way to identify the origin of royal mothers in biblical genealogies. Her name, "Jehovah is pleased," likely reflects the pious hope or testimony of her parents regarding God's favor or delight. While the biblical narrative provides no specific details about Jehoaddan's life or character beyond her maternity to King Amaziah, her name serves as a quiet theological statement embedded within the royal lineage of Judah. The name itself does not offer direct insight into Amaziah's reign, which began positively but ultimately ended in apostasy and tragedy. However, it stands as a testament to the theological worldview of its time, where names often encapsulated profound truths about God's character and action.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related concepts stem from the components of the name H3086:
1. **יְהֹוָה (YHWH):** The divine element יְהֹוָה (YHWH, `{{H3068}}`) is foundational to the name. This is the personal, covenant name of God, frequently incorporated into Hebrew personal names (known as theophoric names) to express a relationship with God, a prayer, or a statement about God's character or action. Examples include Jonathan ("YHWH has given"), Elijah ("My God is YHWH"), and Isaiah ("YHWH is salvation"). The inclusion of YHWH in Jehoaddan's name underscores the Israelite understanding of God as active and personal in human affairs.
2. **עָדַן (ʻâdan):** The verbal root עָדַן (`{{H5730}}`) means "to be soft, delicate, to delight oneself." This root is also famously connected to עֵדֶן (Eden, `{{H5731}}`), the name of the garden of delight in [[Genesis 2:8]]. The association with "delight" and "pleasure" links Jehoaddan's name to a profound theological concept of God's joy and the state of blessedness. While עָדַן is not as common in names as roots like "grace" or "strength," its presence here is significant, emphasizing divine pleasure.
3. **Theophoric Names:** H3086 is an excellent example of the numerous theophoric names in the Hebrew Bible. These names served not merely as identifiers but as living confessions of faith, declarations of God's attributes, or prayers for divine blessing. They reflect a culture deeply permeated by theological understanding, where even personal identity was often expressed in relation to the divine.
### Theological Significance
The name H3086, "Jehovah is pleased" or "Jehovah delights," carries significant theological weight. It speaks directly to the character of God, portraying Him as a being who experiences and bestows delight. This attribute of divine pleasure is not merely an anthropomorphism but reflects God's active engagement with His creation and His people in a way that brings Him joy.
Firstly, it underscores God's sovereignty in favor. The name suggests that God's pleasure is not contingent upon human merit but is a manifestation of His divine will and grace. The parents naming their child "Jehovah is pleased" likely expressed hope for God's favor upon their family and the child, or a testimony of God's past delight in their lives.
Secondly, the connection to the root עָדַן and עֵדֶן (Eden) implies a return to a state of divine blessing and harmonious relationship. God's original intention for humanity in Eden was one of delight and fellowship. A name like "Jehovah is pleased" can subtly echo this longing for or experience of God's benevolent presence and the joy that flows from it.
Finally, in the context of a queen mother, the name could be seen as a prayer or a declaration of hope for the divine favor upon the Davidic dynasty. Even if Amaziah's reign was mixed, the name of his mother, "Jehovah is pleased," stands as a perpetual reminder of the ideal relationship between God and His chosen people, one characterized by mutual delight and divine blessing. It testifies to a deep-seated belief in God's goodness and His desire to find pleasure in His creation.
### Summary
H3086 (יְהוֹעַדִּין, Yᵉhôwʻaddîyn, or יְהוֹעַדָּן, Yᵉhôwʻaddân) is a Hebrew proper noun meaning "Jehovah is pleased" or "Jehovah delights." It is a theophoric name, combining the divine name יְהֹוָה (`{{H3068}}`) with the root עָדַן (`{{H5730}}`), which signifies delight or pleasure and is famously linked to עֵדֶן (Eden, `{{H5731}}`). This name appears only twice in the biblical text, identifying Jehoaddan of Jerusalem, the mother of King Amaziah of Judah, in [[2 Kings 14:2]] and [[2 Chronicles 25:1]]. While little is known about the individual, the name itself carries profound theological significance, testifying to God's character as one who experiences and bestows delight. It reflects a worldview where divine pleasure and favor are foundational to blessed existence and serves as a quiet, enduring witness to the hope for God's benevolent disposition towards His people.
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