יוֹאָחָז (yo.a.chaz)
yo.a.chaz
Joahaz
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name yo’achaz signifies “Jehovah has grasped.” In the Hebrew Bible, this spelling appears in four verses, primarily within 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles. It serves as an alternative form for the more common Jehoahaz, linking two distinct historical figures from the era of the Divided Monarchy.
One bearer was a king of Israel, son of Jehu, whose reign is recorded in 2 Kings 10:35 and 14:1. The other was a king of Judah, son of Josiah, mentioned in 2 Kings 23:30 and 2 Chronicles 34:8. While the biblical narrative focuses on their political roles and eventual fates, the name itself preserves a theological claim about divine sovereignty over royal lineage.
Translators typically render this as Joahaz or Jehoahaz to distinguish these rulers from other figures with similar names. The variation in spelling reflects common textual practices where the divine element “Jeho-” was sometimes shortened. This linguistic detail highlights how personal names functioned as brief statements of faith, anchoring the identity of kings in the perceived actions 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 Joahaz carries a quiet weight: "Jehovah has grasped." In ancient Israel, names were not just labels but declarations of who held authority over a life. When this name appears in the records of kings, it reminds us that human power is always secondary to divine sovereignty. Even when rulers rise and fall quickly, God remains the one who holds history in His hands.
For your faith today, this word offers comfort rather than fear. It suggests that you are not left to drift without purpose or protection. The same God who grasped these kings for specific moments in history also holds you with intention. You do not need to strive to keep yourself secure; He is the one who sustains and guides your steps.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Jehoahaz3×
- Joahaz1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- יוֹאָחָ֤ז1×
- יוֹאָחָ֣ז1×
- יוֹאָחָ֖ז1×
- יֽוֹאָחָז֙1×
Key Verses
-
II Kings 14:1
In the second year of Joash, son of Joahaz, king of Israel, Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah began to reign.
This verse links the royal lineages of Israel and Judah, showing how Joahaz's reign set the stage for future political tensions between the two kingdoms.
-
II Chronicles 36:2
Joahaz was twenty-three years old when he began to reign; and he reigned three months in Jerusalem.
Here the brevity of Joahaz's three-month reign highlights the instability of human rule compared to God's enduring plan for His people.
-
II Chronicles 36:4
The king of Egypt made Eliakim his brother king over Judah and Jerusalem, and changed his name to Jehoiakim. Neco took Joahaz his brother, and carried him to Egypt.
This occurrence marks a turning point where external powers intervene, demonstrating that even kings are subject to forces beyond their control.