The Hebrew word Yoṭbâh, represented by H3192, means pleasantness and refers to Jotbah, a place in Palestine. It appears only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the Bible, making its sole appearance a specific geographical marker.
The single biblical reference to H3192 is found within the genealogy of King Amon of Judah. The text states that Amon began his reign in Jerusalem at the age of twenty-two. To establish his lineage, the record identifies his mother as "Meshullemeth, the daughter of Haruz of Jotbah" 2 Kings 21:19. In this context, Jotbah functions as the hometown of the king's maternal grandfather, rooting the royal family in a specific location within the land.
Several related words appear alongside H3192 in its only biblical context, helping to establish the identity and setting:
- H526 ʼÂmôwn (Amon): The name of the king whose maternal heritage is traced to Jotbah 2 Kings 21:19.
- H4922 Mᵉshullemeth (Meshullemeth): Identified as the mother of King Amon and the daughter of Haruz, who was from Jotbah 2 Kings 21:19.
- H2743 Chârûwts (Haruz): Meaning "earnest," this is the name of an Israelite from Jotbah and the father of Meshullemeth 2 Kings 21:19.
- H3389 Yᵉrûwshâlaim (Jerusalem): The capital city where Amon reigned, mentioned in the same verse that identifies Jotbah as his family's place of origin 2 Kings 21:19.
Despite its single use, the mention of H3192 carries significance within the biblical narrative.
- Historical Specificity: The inclusion of Jotbah provides a precise geographical detail that grounds the royal history of Judah in a real place, lending authenticity to the account of King Amon's lineage 2 Kings 21:19.
- Maternal Lineage: The passage emphasizes the maternal line by not only naming the king's mother, Meshullemeth, but also identifying her father and their specific hometown, Jotbah.
- Geographical Connection: By noting an individual from Jotbah as an ancestor to a king reigning in Jerusalem H3389, the text connects the monarchy in the capital to the wider population of the land.
In summary, H3192 serves as a concise but important detail in the historical record. Although appearing just once, Jotbah is more than a place name; it is a key piece of information that anchors the genealogy of a Judean king. Its presence in the text solidifies the identity of King Amon's mother, Meshullemeth, and demonstrates the value placed on specific ancestral details in the biblical narrative.
TRV