Ishmael יִשְׁמָעֵאל
Son of Jehohanan; supported Joash as king.
Who is Ishmael in the Bible?
Ishmael was the father of Zebadiah, a military commander in Judah during the reign of Queen Athaliah (2 Chronicles 23:1). He lived during a tumultuous period when Athaliah had seized the throne and attempted to eliminate the royal family after King Ahaziah's death. Though Ishmael himself is not described as directly participating in events, his son Zebadiah was one of five commanders whom the priest Jehoiada enlisted to help restore the young king Joash to his rightful throne. Ishmael's significance lies primarily in being part of the lineage that supported the restoration of the Davidic dynasty and the removal of an illegitimate ruler from Judah.
Biography
Ishmael is mentioned in 2Ch.23.1 as the son of Jehohanan. He was one of the commanders that the priest Jehoiada summoned to help him overthrow Queen Athaliah and install Joash as the rightful king of Judah.
After the death of King Ahaziah, Athaliah had seized the throne and tried to destroy the royal family (2Ch.22.10-12). However, Joash was hidden by Jehoiada the priest. In the seventh year of Athaliah's reign, Jehoiada made a covenant with five commanders, including Zebadiah son of Ishmael, to support Joash as king (2Ch.23.1).
Ishmael himself is not mentioned as being directly involved in the coup. However, his son Zebadiah's support was crucial in Jehoiada's plan to restore the Davidic line to the throne. The text does not provide any further details about Ishmael's life or position. His inclusion in the narrative serves to identify Zebadiah and emphasize the significance of his allegiance to Jehoiada and King Joash.
Family
In Scripture
1 biblical book2 Chronicles 1 verse
- 2 Chronicles 23:1
"Then in the seventh year, Jehoiada strengthened himself and made a covenant with the commanders of hundreds—with Azariah son of Jeroham, Ishmael son of Jehohanan, Azariah son of Obed, Maaseiah son of Adaiah, and Elishaphat son of Zichri."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | יִשְׁמָעֵאל | yišĕmāʿēʾl | Jishmael , the name of Abraham's oldest son, and of five Israelites |