יְהוֹאָחָז (ye.ho.a.chaz)
ye.ho.a.chaz
Jehoahaz
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 19 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Jehoahaz, or its variant Joahaz, is a Hebrew personal name meaning "Yahweh has seized" or "grasped." It appears nineteen times in the Old Testament, primarily within the historical books of 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles. The lexicon sources identify three distinct kings who bore this title during the period of the Divided Monarchy, reflecting a common naming practice where royal families reused significant names across generations.
The most prominent bearer is the son of Jehu, king of the northern kingdom of Israel. His reign is marked by continued idolatry, yet his prayer for deliverance from Aram results in a temporary reprieve, illustrating the tension between divine judgment and mercy. Another Jehoahaz ruled Judah as the son of Josiah; he was deposed by Pharaoh Neco after a brief three-month reign, leading to the exile of his brother Jehoiakim. A third figure, sometimes identified with Ahaziah, appears in the genealogies of Judah’s kings.
The consistency of the meaning "Yahweh has seized" adds a layer of irony to these narratives. While the name suggests divine possession or protection, the historical records show these rulers often falling under the grip of foreign powers like Egypt and Assyria. The variation between Jehoahaz and Joahaz reflects minor phonetic shifts in Hebrew transcription but retains the same theological core, reminding readers that human history unfolds within the sovereign grasp of God.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Jehoahaz carries a weighty meaning: "Yahweh has seized." In the turbulent history of Israel's divided monarchy, this title belonged to three different kings, each facing immense pressure from foreign powers like Syria and Egypt. Their stories show how human leaders often felt the grip of circumstances beyond their control, yet they also reveal that God remains attentive even when nations fall.
One king, son of Jehu, prayed for help under heavy oppression, and Scripture records that Yahweh listened (2 Kings 13:4). This moment reminds us that prayer is not a last resort but a direct line to the One who holds history. Even when political structures crumble or leaders fail, divine mercy can still intervene in response to humble cries for deliverance.
For your faith, this word offers comfort. You are never outside the reach of God's attention. When life feels overwhelming or you sense pressures closing in, remember that the same God who heard Jehoahaz’s plea is present with you. His sovereignty does not mean He abandons us to chaos; rather, it means He walks through it with those who seek Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 19 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Jehoahaz19×
- to/ Jehoahaz1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- יְהוֹאָחָ֖ז4×
- יְהוֹאָחָ֧ז2×
- יְהוֹאָחָ֥ז2×
- יְהוֹאָחָ֣ז2×
- יְהוֹאָחָ֗ז2×
- יְהֽוֹאָחָז֙2×
- לִ/יהוֹאָחָ֜ז1×
- יְהוֹאָחָֽז\׃1×
- יְהוֹאָחָ֨ז1×
- יְהוֹאָחָ֤ז1×
- יְהוֹאָחָ֛ז1×
- יְהֽוֹאָחָ֖ז1×
Key Verses
-
II Kings 13:4
Jehoahaz begged Yahweh, and Yahweh listened to him; for he saw the oppression of Israel, how the king of Syria oppressed them.
This verse highlights the only recorded prayer of a king named Jehoahaz, showing that despite his reign's failures, God responded to his cry for relief from Syrian oppression.
-
II Kings 23:34
Pharaoh Necoh made Eliakim the son of Josiah king in the place of Josiah his father, and changed his name to Jehoiakim; but he took Jehoahaz away, and he came to Egypt and died there.
This occurrence describes the Judahite king Jehoahaz being taken captive by Pharaoh Neco, illustrating the tragic consequence of political instability and foreign domination.
-
II Kings 10:35
Jehu slept with his fathers; and they buried him in Samaria. Jehoahaz his son reigned in his place.
Here the name marks a dynastic transition, noting that Jehoahaz succeeded his father Jehu, connecting the legacy of judgment on Ahab's house to the next generation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name Jehoahaz mean?
How many kings named Jehoahaz are in the Bible?
Why is this name significant in 2 Kings 13?
Every Occurrence (19 verses across 2 books)
II Kings 14 verses
Jehu slept with his fathers; and they buried him in Samaria. Jehoahaz his son reigned in his place.
II Kings 13:1In the twenty-third year of Joash the son of Ahaziah, king of Judah, Jehoahaz the son of Jehu began to reign over…
II Kings 13:4Jehoahaz begged Yahweh, and Yahweh listened to him; for he saw the oppression of Israel, how the king of Syria…
II Kings 13:7For he didn’t leave to Jehoahaz of the people any more than fifty horsemen, and ten chariots, and ten thousand footmen;…
II Kings 13:8Now the rest of the acts of Jehoahaz, and all that he did, and his might, aren’t they written in the book of the…
II Kings 13:9Jehoahaz slept with his fathers; and they buried him in Samaria; and Joash his son reigned in his place.
II Kings 13:10In the thirty-seventh year of Joash king of Judah, Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz began to reign over Israel in Samaria…
II Kings 13:22Hazael king of Syria oppressed Israel all the days of Jehoahaz.
II Kings 13:25Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz took again out of the hand of Benhadad the son of Hazael the cities which he had taken out…
II Kings 14:8Then Amaziah sent messengers to Jehoash, the son of Jehoahaz son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, “Come, let’s look one…
II Kings 14:17Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah lived after the death of Jehoash son of Jehoahaz, king of Israel, fifteen years.
II Kings 23:30His servants carried him dead in a chariot from Megiddo, brought him to Jerusalem, and buried him in his own tomb. The…
II Kings 23:31Jehoahaz was twenty-three years old when he began to reign; and he reigned three months in Jerusalem. His mother’s name…
II Kings 23:34Pharaoh Necoh made Eliakim the son of Josiah king in the place of Josiah his father, and changed his name to Jehoiakim;…