The Hebrew word Yᵉhôwshabʻath, represented by H3090, is the name of an Israelitess. It appears 2 times across 1 unique verses in scripture. The name is a form of יְהוֹשֶׁבַע, and its base definition is Jehoshabath or Jehoshabeath.
The narrative of Yᵉhôwshabʻath is contained entirely within a single, dramatic verse. She is identified as the daughter H1323 of king Jehoram H3088 and the sister H269 of king Ahaziah H274. During a time of crisis when the king's sons H1121 were being slain H4191, she took H3947 her nephew, Joash H3101, the son of Ahaziah H274, and stole H1589 him from danger. Yᵉhôwshabʻath, who was also the wife H802 of Jehoiada H3077 the priest H3548, then hid H5641 the young prince and his nurse H3243 in a bedchamber H2315. This courageous act saved Joash from the murderous purge of Athaliah H6271 2 Chronicles 22:11.
Several related words in the narrative highlight the gravity and nature of her actions:
- H1589 gânab (to thieve): This word describes her decisive move to rescue Joash. It implies taking something secretly or by stealth, which was necessary to save him from being slain 2 Chronicles 22:11.
- H5641 çâthar (to hide): This term defines the method of protection she employed. By concealing Joash and his nurse in a bedchamber, she kept him from the sight of Athaliah 2 Chronicles 22:11.
- H4191 mûwth (to die): This word establishes the deadly context of the story, as the other king's sons "were slain." Jehoshabeath's intervention prevented Joash from this fate 2 Chronicles 22:11.
- H1323 bath (a daughter): This term establishes her royal lineage as the "daughter of the king," which gave her the access and opportunity to carry out the rescue of the heir 2 Chronicles 22:11.
The theological weight of H3090 is tied directly to her single recorded action.
- Preservation of the Royal Line: By rescuing Joash H3101, the son H1121 of Ahaziah H274, Yᵉhôwshabʻath ensured the survival of the Davidic line against the attempt by Athaliah H6271 to destroy it 2 Chronicles 22:11. Her action was pivotal in the continuation of the royal lineage.
- Courageous Faith: She risked her life by defying Athaliah. The text states she stole H1589 and hid H5641 the child, directly subverting the queen's authority to prevent the boy from being slain H4191.
- Union of Royalty and Priesthood: Her identity as both the daughter H1323 of a king H4428 and the wife H802 of Jehoiada the priest H3548 placed her in a unique position to act. This connection between the royal house and the priesthood was instrumental in safeguarding and eventually restoring the rightful heir to the throne 2 Chronicles 22:11.
In summary, Yᵉhôwshabʻath H3090 is a pivotal figure whose significance is demonstrated in one heroic act. Though mentioned only in a single verse, her quick thinking and bravery in stealing H1589 and hiding H5641 the young prince Joash H3101 from the murderous plot of Athaliah H6271 had profound consequences. Her story, recorded in 2 Chronicles 22:11, illustrates how the decisive action of one individual, uniquely positioned by birth and marriage, can preserve a royal and covenantal lineage in a moment of extreme peril.
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