Jehoash of Judah

Jehoash (יהואש המלך) ("Jehovah-given"), sometimes written Joash, was the king of the ancient Kingdom of Judah, and sole surviving son of Ahaziah.

William F. Albright has dated his reign to 837 BC-800 BC, while E. R. Thiele offers the dates 835 BC-796 BC.

While yet an infant, he was saved from the general massacre commanded by Athaliah of the family by his aunt Jehosheba, and was apparently the only surviving descendant of David (2 Chronicles 21:4, 17). His uncle, the high priest Jehoiada, brought him forth to public notice when he was seven years of age, and had Jehoash crowned and anointed king. Athaliah was taken by surprise when she heard the shout of the people, "Long live the king"; and when she appeared in the temple to challenge this coup, Jehoiada commanded her to be led forth out of the Temple to be put to death (2 Kings 11:13-20).

While the High Priest lived, Jehoash favored the worship of God and observed the Law; but on his death Jehoash was led into supporting other gods; Zechariah, the son and successor of the High Priest, was put to death. For these deeds, the author of the Books of Kings believed Jehoash brought down on the land the judgement of God, and it was oppressed by the Aramean invaders. He was buried in the City of David ("2 Kings" 12:21).

He is one of the four kings omitted by Matthew (1:8) in the genealogy of Jesus, the other three being Ahaziah, Amaziah, and Jehoiakim. He is however, referred to in Matthew 23:35.

In 2001, an unprovenanced inscription was published, known as the Temple Inscription, which appears to be a record of repairs made to Solomon's Temple during Jehoash's reign. Following extensive scientific tests the Israeli archaeological authorities declared it to be a forgery and are prosecuting the perpetrator.

External links

* [http://www.orientalisti.net/ioash.htm The So-Called ‘Jehoash Inscription’: Transcription and Bibliography, by Giuseppe Regalzi]