יְהוֹרָם (ye.ho.ram)
ye.ho.ram
Jehoram
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 24 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Jehoram, or its shorter form Joram, carries the meaning "Jehovah is exalted." It appears twenty-four times in the Hebrew Bible, primarily within the historical accounts of 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles. The sources identify three distinct individuals who bore this name during the era of the divided monarchy: a king of Judah, a king of Israel, and a priest serving under Jehoshaphat.
The most prominent figure is the son of King Jehoshaphat, who ruled Judah for eight years. His reign is marked by political alliance with the northern kingdom through his marriage to Athaliah, a union that introduced Baal worship into Jerusalem. The biblical narrative records his struggles with rebellion and disease, ending his life in obscurity (2 Kings 8:20-24). A second Jehoram ruled Israel as the son of Ahab. His death by the sword of Jehu fulfilled Elijah’s prophecy regarding the house of Ahab, specifically connecting his end to the land of Naboth (2 Kings 9:24-26).
The name derives from the divine name Yahweh and the verb for being high or exalted. While the meaning suggests honor, the biblical record shows a stark contrast between the name’s promise and the kings’ actions. The sources note that both royal Jehorams presided over periods of spiritual decline, yet their names remain fixed in the text as witnesses to the complex history of Israel’s monarchy.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Jehoram means "Yahweh is exalted," a declaration of God’s supreme authority. Yet the biblical record shows how easily human actions can contradict such a title. Three different men carried this name during Israel’s divided monarchy, each facing the weight of leadership and spiritual compromise. Their stories remind us that names carry promises, but only faithful obedience fulfils them.
One Jehoram ruled Judah, inheriting a kingdom yet choosing alliances that led his people away from God. Another ruled Israel, meeting a violent end as prophecy declared. A third served as a priest, standing in the temple service amidst political turmoil. These accounts are not just history; they show how God remains sovereign even when leaders fail.
For believers today, this word invites reflection on our own lives. Do our actions reflect the truth that God is exalted? The narrative does not excuse failure but points to a greater King whose reign never ends. We can trust that God’s purposes prevail, regardless of human weakness or political chaos.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 24 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Jehoram23×
- and/ Jehoram2×
- to/ Jehoram1×
- of/ Jehoram1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- יְהוֹרָם֙6×
- יְהוֹרָ֜ם3×
- יְהוֹרָ֨ם2×
- יְהוֹרָ֥ם2×
- יְהוֹרָ֣ם2×
- יְהוֹרָ֛ם2×
- יְהוֹרָ֗ם2×
- יְהוֹרָ֖ם2×
- לִֽ/יהוֹרָ֖ם1×
- לִ/יהוֹרָ֥ם1×
- יְהוֹרָ֧ם1×
- יְהוֹרָ֡ם1×
Key Verses
-
II Kings 1:17
So he died according to Yahweh’s word which Elijah had spoken. Jehoram began to reign in his place in the second year of Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, because he had no son.
This verse marks the beginning of Jehoram’s reign over Israel, linking his rule directly to Elijah’s prophetic word and the succession from Ahab.
-
II Kings 9:24
Jehu drew his bow with his full strength, and struck Joram between his arms; and the arrow went out at his heart, and he sunk down in his chariot.
Here Jehoram is struck by Jehu’s arrow, fulfilling the judgment against Ahab’s house and ending his reign in violence on Naboth’s land.
-
II Chronicles 21:4
Now when Jehoram had risen up over the kingdom of his father, and had strengthened himself, he killed all his brothers with the sword, and also some of the princes of Israel.
This passage reveals Jehoram of Judah’s ruthless consolidation of power, showing him killing his brothers to secure the throne despite divine warnings.
-
II Chronicles 17:8
and with them Levites, even Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tobadonijah, the Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, the priests.
Jehoram appears here as a priest serving under Jehoshaphat, highlighting a different role for the name within the temple hierarchy rather than kingship.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name Jehoram mean?
How many different people named Jehoram are in the Bible?
Why did Jehoram of Israel die?
What is the difference between Jehoram and Joram?
Every Occurrence (24 verses across 2 books)
II Kings 12 verses
So he died according to Yahweh’s word which Elijah had spoken. Jehoram began to reign in his place in the second year…
II Kings 3:1Now Jehoram the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria in the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah,…
II Kings 3:6King Jehoram went out of Samaria at that time, and mustered all Israel.
II Kings 8:16In the fifth year of Joram the son of Ahab king of Israel, Jehoshaphat being king of Judah then, Jehoram the son of…
II Kings 8:25In the twelfth year of Joram the son of Ahab king of Israel, Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah began to reign.
II Kings 8:29King Joram returned to be healed in Jezreel from the wounds which the Syrians had given him at Ramah, when he fought…
II Kings 9:15but King Joram had returned to be healed in Jezreel of the wounds which the Syrians had given him when he fought with…
II Kings 9:17Now the watchman was standing on the tower in Jezreel, and he spied the company of Jehu as he came, and said, “I see a…
II Kings 9:21Joram said, “Get ready!” They got his chariot ready. Then Joram king of Israel and Ahaziah king of Judah went out, each…
II Kings 9:22When Joram saw Jehu, he said, “Is it peace, Jehu?” He answered, “What peace, so long as the prostitution of your mother…
II Kings 9:23Joram turned his hands and fled, and said to Ahaziah, “This is treason, Ahaziah!”
II Kings 9:24Jehu drew his bow with his full strength, and struck Joram between his arms; and the arrow went out at his heart, and…