עֲתַלְיָ֫הוּ (a.tal.yah)
a.tal.yah
Athaliah
N:N-F-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 17 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-F-P
Word Overview
The name Ataliah means "afflicted of the Lord." In the Hebrew Bible, it refers to a specific historical figure: the daughter of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel of Israel who married Jehoram, king of Judah. Her story appears in both 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles, marking her as a central antagonist during the divided monarchy period.
Ataliah is notable for seizing the throne of Judah after her son’s death and attempting to exterminate the royal Davidic line. She succeeded in killing most of her own family, but one infant, Joash, was secretly hidden by his aunt Jehosheba and the high priest Jehoiada. After six years, Jehoiada orchestrated a coup that restored the boy king and had Ataliah executed.
Her name serves as an ironic counterpoint to her actions; while it suggests divine affliction, she became the instrument of chaos in Jerusalem. The biblical narrative uses her reign to highlight the fragility of the Davidic covenant and the providential preservation of the royal line despite human treachery.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Ataliah means "afflicted of the Lord," yet her story in Scripture shows how human rebellion can twist even divine names into warnings. As the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, she brought the idolatry of Israel into Judah, eventually seizing power after her son’s death. Her reign was marked by violence against the royal family, a stark reminder of how sin disrupts families and communities.
Yet, amidst this darkness, God preserved the line of David through the hidden courage of Jehosheba and the faithfulness of the priest Jehoiada. For six years, the infant Joash was kept safe in the temple, showing that God’s promises endure even when evil seems to triumph. This narrative invites us to trust that God protects what is precious to Him, even in seasons of chaos.
Ataliah’s end reminds us that justice belongs to the Lord. Her destruction did not come through human strength alone but through the restoration of right order under God’s anointed king. We can find hope in knowing that no scheme against God’s purposes ultimately succeeds, and His faithfulness remains steady through every generation.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 17 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Athaliah10×
- and/ Athaliah5×
- [was] Athaliah2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- עֲתַלְיָ֖הוּ4×
- עֲתַלְיָ֙הוּ֙2×
- וַ/עֲתַלְיָ֖ה2×
- עֲתַלְיָה֙1×
- עֲתַלְיָ֛הוּ1×
- עֲתַלְיָ֗הוּ1×
- עֲתַלְיָ֔הוּ1×
- עֲתַלְיָ֔ה1×
- עֲתַלְיָ֑ה1×
- וַֽ/עֲתַלְיָה֙1×
- וַ/עֲתַלְיָֽה\׃1×
- וַ/עֲתַלְיָ֙הוּ֙1×
Key Verses
-
II Kings 11:1
Now when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the royal offspring.
This verse captures the turning point where Ataliah’s grief turns to ruthless ambition, initiating her violent seizure of power.
-
II Kings 11:2
But Jehosheba, the daughter of King Joram, sister of Ahaziah, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him away from among the king’s sons who were slain, even him and his nurse, and put them in the bedroom; and they hid him from Athaliah, so that he was not slain.
Here, Jehosheba’s quiet defiance preserves the Davidic line, highlighting God’s providence in hiding Joash from Ataliah’s wrath.
-
II Chronicles 24:7
For the sons of Athaliah, that wicked woman, had broken up God’s house; and they also gave all the dedicated things of Yahweh’s house to the Baals.
This later reference shows how Ataliah’s influence led to the desecration of the temple, illustrating the long-term damage of her wickedness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Athaliah in the Bible?
Why is Athaliah’s name significant?
How did Athaliah lose her power?
What role did Athaliah play in the temple?
Every Occurrence (17 verses across 4 books)
II Kings 7 verses
Ahaziah was twenty-two years old when he began to reign; and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was…
II Kings 11:1Now when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the royal offspring.
II Kings 11:2But Jehosheba, the daughter of King Joram, sister of Ahaziah, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him away from…
II Kings 11:3He was with her hidden in Yahweh’s house six years while Athaliah reigned over the land.
II Kings 11:13When Athaliah heard the noise of the guard and of the people, she came to the people into Yahweh’s house;
II Kings 11:14and she looked, and behold, the king stood by the pillar, as the tradition was, with the captains and the trumpets by…
II Kings 11:20So all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was quiet. They had slain Athaliah with the sword at the king’s…