Ἰωάθαμ (Iōatham)
Iōatham
Jotham
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The name Iōatham identifies Jotham, a king of Judah who appears in the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1:9. He was the son of King Uzziah and the father of Ahaz, placing him in the royal lineage leading to Christ. The lexicon sources note that his name is indeclinable in Greek, reflecting its direct borrowing from Hebrew.
Etymologically, the name means "Jehovah is upright." This meaning highlights a theological theme common in Old Testament royal names, attributing moral integrity to divine action rather than human effort. While Matthew includes him briefly among many ancestors, his presence underscores the continuity of God’s covenant promises through the house of David.
Translators typically render this name as Jotham, maintaining consistency with standard biblical nomenclature. The single occurrence in Matthew serves a structural purpose, linking the historical kings of Judah to the birth of Jesus. This connection affirms the fulfillment of prophecy regarding the Messiah’s royal descent without adding narrative detail about Jotham’s reign.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Iōatham, or Jotham, appears in Matthew’s genealogy as a quiet link between King Uzziah and his son Ahaz. His name means “Jehovah is upright,” pointing to a life where divine integrity guided royal duty. Though the Bible records little of his reign, this single mention anchors him in the lineage that leads to Jesus.
For your faith, this detail reminds us that God’s plan unfolds through ordinary generations. Jotham’s role was not dramatic but faithful, showing how covenant promises are passed down through time. In Christ, we see the culmination of this steadfast line, where every ancestor contributes to the greater story of redemption.
When you read these names, remember that each person was chosen by God for a purpose. Jotham’s upright name reflects the character God desires in all His people. This connection invites us to trust in the continuity of God’s love, which reaches from ancient kings to our own lives today.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Jotham;1×
- Jotham1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Ἰωαθάμ·1×
- Ἰωαθὰμ1×
Key Verses
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Matthew 1:9
Uzziah became the father of Jotham. Jotham became the father of Ahaz. Ahaz became the father of Hezekiah.
This verse places Jotham as the son of Uzziah and father of Ahaz, structurally linking the Davidic line toward Christ without adding narrative detail about his reign.