יְהוֹשָׁפָט (ye.ho.sha.phat)
ye.ho.sha.phat
Jehoshaphat
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 66 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Jehoshaphat means "Jehovah has judged" or "whom Jehovah judges." It appears in the Hebrew Bible as a personal name for several distinct individuals, most notably as king of Judah (1 Kings 22:41) and as the father of King Jehu of Israel (2 Kings 9:2). The name also identifies a royal recorder under David (2 Samuel 8:16) and a priestly trumpeter in David’s time.
Its theological weight extends beyond people to geography. The name is applied symbolically to a valley near Jerusalem, described as the place of ultimate judgment (Joel 4:2, 12). This location likely refers to the deep ravine separating Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, where the Kidron Valley flows, serving as a vivid image of divine verdict.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Jehoshaphat carries a simple but powerful meaning: "Jehovah has judged." In the biblical narrative, this is not just a label for a king or an official; it points to a deep trust in God's final verdict. When we face uncertainty or complex decisions, the story of King Jehoshaphat offers a quiet model of faith. He did not rely on military strength alone but sought divine guidance before entering conflict.
This name reminds us that our ultimate security lies in who judges rightly. Whether serving as a royal recorder or leading a nation, individuals named Jehoshaphat operated under the reality that God sees all things. For your daily life, this word invites you to pause and seek clarity from above when choices feel heavy. It is a gentle assurance that the One who judges with perfect justice is also the One who guides our steps.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 66 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Jehoshaphat58×
- and/ Jehoshaphat11×
- to/ Jehoshaphat4×
- of/ Jehoshaphat1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- יְהוֹשָׁפָ֗ט9×
- יְהוֹשָׁפָ֖ט9×
- יְהוֹשָׁפָ֥ט8×
- יְה֣וֹשָׁפָ֔ט6×
- יְהוֹשָׁפָ֑ט5×
- יְהוֹשָׁפָ֣ט4×
- יְהֽוֹשָׁפָט֙4×
- יְהוֹשָׁפָ֛ט3×
- וִֽ/יהוֹשָׁפָ֣ט3×
- וִ/יהוֹשָׁפָ֥ט3×
- לִֽ/יהוֹשָׁפָ֛ט2×
- יְהוֹשָׁפָֽט\׃2×
Key Verses
-
I Kings 22:5
Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “Please inquire first for Yahweh’s word.”
Jehoshaphat prioritizes seeking Yahweh's word over political alliance, showing that spiritual discernment precedes action.
-
II Kings 3:14
Elisha said, “As Yahweh of Armies lives, before whom I stand, surely, were it not that I respect the presence of Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would not look toward you, nor see you.
Elisha acknowledges Jehoshaphat’s presence as a factor in God's willingness to answer, highlighting the value of righteous influence.
-
I Kings 22:32
When the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, they said, “Surely that is the king of Israel!” and they came over to fight against him. Jehoshaphat cried out.
Jehoshaphat cries out for help during battle, demonstrating that even kings rely on divine rescue when circumstances turn dangerous.