### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **Yôwrâm**, represented by `{{H3141}}`, is a proper name used for three Israelites and one Syrian. It is a form of **Yᵉhôwrâm** `{{H3088}}` and appears **20 times** across **16 unique verses** in the Bible. The name is most prominently associated with two kings, one of Judah and one of Israel, whose reigns were marked by significant military and political events.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the biblical narrative, the name **Yôwrâm** `{{H3141}}` identifies several distinct individuals. Two were kings who reigned during a period of conflict. **Joram** of Israel, the **son** `{{H1121}}` of **Ahab** `{{H256}}`, waged **war** `{{H4421}}` against **Hazael** `{{H2371}}` **king** `{{H4428}}` of **Syria** `{{H758}}` at **Ramothgilead** `{{H7433}}` [[2 Kings 8:28]]. After being wounded by the **Syrians** `{{H761}}`, he went to **Jezreel** `{{H3157}}` to be **healed** `{{H7495}}`, where **Jehu** `{{H3058}}` ultimately conspired against him ([[2 Kings 8:29]], [[2 Kings 9:14]]). Concurrently, **Joram** of Judah, the **son** `{{H1121}}` of **Jehoshaphat** `{{H3092}}`, is recorded in the royal lineage [[1 Chronicles 3:11]]. His acts were recorded in the **book** `{{H5612}}` of the chronicles of the **kings** `{{H4428}}` of **Judah** `{{H3063}}` [[2 Kings 8:23]], and he was **buried** `{{H6912}}` in the **city** `{{H5892}}` of **David** `{{H1732}}` [[2 Kings 8:24]]. Another **Joram** was the **son** `{{H1121}}` of **Toi** `{{H8583}}`, who sent him to **bless** `{{H1288}}` **king** `{{H4428}}` **David** `{{H1732}}` with gifts after a military victory [[2 Samuel 8:10]]. A fourth **Joram** is mentioned in a Levitical genealogy as a descendant of **Eliezer** `{{H461}}` [[1 Chronicles 26:25]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words help clarify the context surrounding the name **Joram**:
* `{{H3088}}` **Yᵉhôwrâm** (Jehoram): This is the longer form of **Yôwrâm**, and the names are often used interchangeably for the same kings. For example, Ahaziah is called the **son** `{{H1121}}` of **Jehoram** `{{H3088}}` [[2 Kings 8:29]] and the **son** `{{H1121}}` of **Joram** `{{H3141}}` [[1 Chronicles 3:11]].
* `{{H4428}}` **melek** (king): This word is central to the identity of the two most prominent figures named **Joram**, defining their authority and their roles in the history of **Israel** `{{H3478}}` and **Judah** `{{H3063}}` ([[2 Kings 8:16]], [[2 Kings 8:24]]).
* `{{H4421}}` **milchâmâh** (war): The lives of both king **Joram** of Israel and **Joram** of Judah were shaped by military conflict, whether against **Syria** `{{H758}}` or the **Edomites** `{{H123}}` ([[2 Kings 8:21]], [[2 Kings 8:28]]).
* `{{H1121}}` **bên** (son): This term is crucial for establishing the royal lines and relationships. The various individuals named **Joram** are consistently identified by their parentage, such as the **son** `{{H1121}}` of **Ahab** `{{H256}}` [[2 Kings 9:29]] or the **son** `{{H1121}}` of **Jehoshaphat** `{{H3092}}` [[2 Kings 8:16]].
### Theological Significance
The narrative significance of **Yôwrâm** `{{H3141}}` is primarily tied to the monarchies of Israel and Judah.
* **Royal Succession and Instability:** The name appears at a volatile time in the history of both kingdoms. The reigns of the two kings named **Joram** are used as chronological anchors for their contemporaries, such as **Ahaziah** `{{H274}}` [[2 Kings 8:25]]. The preservation of the line of **Joram** of Judah through his **daughter** `{{H1323}}` **Jehosheba** `{{H3089}}` is a pivotal event, as she **stole** `{{H1589}}` the infant **Joash** `{{H3101}}` to save him from **Athaliah** `{{H6271}}` [[2 Kings 11:2]].
* **Fulfillment of Divine Judgment:** The story of **Joram** of Israel, **son** `{{H1121}}` of **Ahab** `{{H256}}`, is a key part of the downfall of his dynasty. The narrative states that the **destruction** `{{H8395}}` of his ally **Ahaziah** `{{H274}}` was from **God** `{{H430}}` for associating with him, as **the LORD** `{{H3068}}` had **anointed** `{{H4886}}` **Jehu** `{{H3058}}` to **cut off** `{{H3772}}` the **house** `{{H1004}}` of **Ahab** `{{H256}}` [[2 Chronicles 22:7]].
* **International Relations:** The appearance of **Joram**, **son** `{{H1121}}` of **Toi** `{{H8583}}`, illustrates the diplomatic practices of the era. He was sent to **salute** `{{H7592}}` **David** `{{H1732}}` and **bless** `{{H1288}}` him, solidifying an alliance after **war** `{{H4421}}` with a common enemy [[2 Samuel 8:10]].
### Summary
In summary, **Yôwrâm** `{{H3141}}` is a name that marks a turbulent period in biblical history. While borne by several individuals, it is most memorably linked to two kings whose reigns were defined by **war** `{{H4421}}`, political conspiracy, and the outworking of divine judgment on the royal houses of Israel and Judah. From the battlefields of **Ramothgilead** `{{H7433}}` to the courts of **king** `{{H4428}}` **David** `{{H1732}}`, the name Joram is woven into narratives of succession, conflict, and the sovereign actions of **God** `{{H430}}`.
TRV