a form of יְהוֹשֶׁבַע; Jehoshabath, an Israelitess; Jehoshabeath.
Transliteration:Yᵉhôwshabʻath
Pronunciation:yeh-ho-shab-ath'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma יְהוֹשַׁבְעַת (Yᵉhôwshabʻath), Strong's H3090, is a proper noun, specifically a personal name. It is identified as a variant form of יְהוֹשֶׁבַע (Yᵉhôwshebaʻ), Strong's `{{H3089}}`. The name itself is a theophoric compound, combining the divine name YHWH (יהו-) with the root שׁבע (shava'), meaning "to swear" or "to take an oath." Thus, the name inherently signifies "Jehovah is an oath" or "Jehovah has sworn." As a proper noun, its semantic range is limited to the specific individual it identifies, but the etymology imbues the name with profound theological meaning regarding divine faithfulness and covenant.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name יְהוֹשַׁבְעַת (Yᵉhôwshabʻath) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in [[2 Chronicles 22:11]]. The parallel account in [[2 Kings 11:2]] uses the form יְהוֹשֶׁבַע (Yᵉhôwshebaʻ), Strong's `{{H3089}}`, confirming that these refer to the same individual.
In [[2 Chronicles 22:11]], Jehoshabeath is identified as "the daughter of King Jehoram, the wife of Jehoiada the priest, and sister of Ahaziah." This lineage places her squarely within the royal house of Judah and connects her to the priestly line. The context is dire: after the death of King Ahaziah, his mother, the wicked Athaliah, usurped the throne and initiated a purge, destroying "all the royal offspring of the house of Judah." It is in this moment of extreme peril for the Davidic dynasty that Jehoshabeath acts decisively. She secretly takes Joash, Ahaziah's infant son, from among the king's sons who were being murdered, and hides him and his nurse in a bedroom. She then brings him into the house of the Lord, where he remains hidden for six years while Athaliah reigns. Her courageous and clandestine act was instrumental in preserving the sole surviving heir to the Davidic throne, ensuring the continuity of the royal line against a backdrop of unparalleled wickedness and attempted extermination.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **יְהוֹשֶׁבַע (Yᵉhôwshebaʻ) `{{H3089}}`:** This is the primary form of the name, used in the parallel account in [[2 Kings 11:2]]. The slight orthographic difference between the two forms (H3090 and H3089) is a textual variant but refers to the identical person.
* **Theophoric Names:** The name Jehoshabeath belongs to a large category of biblical names that incorporate elements of the divine name YHWH (e.g., Jehoiada `{{H3077}}`, Jonathan `{{H3083}}`, Jeremiah `{{H3414}}`). Such names often convey a statement about God's character or relationship with the individual.
* **Davidic Covenant:** Jehoshabeath's actions are directly tied to the preservation of the Davidic covenant, the divine promise to King David that his house and kingdom would endure forever ([[2 Samuel 7:12-16]]). Her intervention ensured that the lineage from which the Messiah would come was not extinguished.
* **Priesthood:** Her marriage to Jehoiada the priest highlights the strategic role of the priestly line in preserving the royal line, showcasing a divinely orchestrated alliance between sacred institutions.
* **Divine Providence:** The narrative surrounding Jehoshabeath is a profound illustration of God's providential care and His faithfulness to His covenants, even when human circumstances seem to defy them.
### Theological Significance
The name יְהוֹשַׁבְעַת (Yᵉhôwshabʻath), meaning "Jehovah is an oath" or "Jehovah has sworn," carries immense theological weight when considered in light of her actions. Her very name becomes a prophetic declaration of God's unwavering commitment to His covenant promises. At a moment when the Davidic line, and thus the promise of a perpetual king, was on the brink of annihilation, Jehoshabeath, whose name speaks of God's sworn faithfulness, becomes the human instrument through whom that faithfulness is dramatically demonstrated.
Her act of hiding Joash is not merely an act of human courage but a tangible manifestation of divine providence. It underscores the biblical truth that God's plans cannot be thwarted by human wickedness, even by the most ruthless attempts to subvert His will. Jehoshabeath stands as a beacon of righteousness and faith amidst profound apostasy and violence. Her story emphasizes the critical role that faithful individuals can play in the unfolding of God's redemptive history, even when their actions are performed in secret and against overwhelming odds. She is a testament to the fact that God uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary acts that uphold His divine oath and ensure the continuation of His saving purposes.
### Summary
Jehoshabeath (יְהוֹשַׁבְעַת, H3090), a name meaning "Jehovah is an oath" or "Jehovah has sworn," appears once in [[2 Chronicles 22:11]] (and as Jehosheba, `{{H3089}}`, in [[2 Kings 11:2]]). As the daughter of King Jehoram and wife of Jehoiada the priest, she played a pivotal role in preserving the Davidic lineage. When the wicked Queen Athaliah sought to exterminate all royal heirs, Jehoshabeath courageously rescued the infant Joash, hiding him for six years in the temple. Her actions were a direct fulfillment of the theological meaning of her name, demonstrating God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant with David, ensuring the continuation of the royal line from which the Messiah would ultimately come. Her story serves as a powerful reminder of divine providence and the significant impact of righteous human agency in the face of overwhelming evil.
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