Ἰωσίας (Iōsias)
Iōsias
Josiah
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The name Iōsias refers to King Josiah of Judah, a significant figure in the lineage of Jesus recorded in Matthew 1:10–11. The Greek form is a direct transliteration of the Hebrew Yôšîyâhū, which means "whom Jehovah heals." This etymology highlights the divine favor associated with his reign.
Historically, Josiah ruled for thirty-one years before being killed in battle around 611 BC. He is remembered for restoring true worship among the Jews and leading a major religious reform. His inclusion in the Gospel genealogy underscores the continuity of God’s plan through Judah’s royal line.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Josiah means "whom Jehovah heals." In Matthew’s genealogy, this brief mention connects the ancient king to the lineage of Jesus. It reminds us that God works through ordinary families and long lines of ancestors to bring about His purposes.
Even though we only see two verses here, they show how God keeps His promises across generations. Josiah was a king who sought to restore true worship, and his place in this list highlights the continuity of God’s plan. We can find comfort knowing that our own lives are part of a larger story written by God.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Josiah;1×
- Josiah1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Ἰωσίας1×
- Ἰωσίαν·1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 1:10
Hezekiah became the father of Manasseh. Manasseh became the father of Amon. Amon became the father of Josiah.
This verse places Josiah in the direct line from Abraham to Jesus, showing how God’s promise to David was carried forward through his descendants.
-
Matthew 1:11
Josiah became the father of Jechoniah and his brothers at the time of the exile to Babylon.
By linking Josiah to the exile, this occurrence shows that God’s plan continues even during times of national judgment and displacement.