Jedidah יְדִידָה

Female H3040 1 book

Mother of King Josiah of Judah

Who is Jedidah in the Bible?

Jedidah was the mother of King Josiah of Judah and the daughter of Adaiah of Bozkath, as recorded in 2 Kings 22:1. Her son Josiah became one of Judah's most significant kings, ascending to the throne at age eight and ruling for thirty-one years in Jerusalem. Though the biblical text provides no details about Jedidah's personal life or direct influence on her son's upbringing, her mention in the royal records underscores the importance of maternal lineage in Judah's royal succession. Josiah became renowned for his religious reforms and his efforts to restore proper worship of the Lord throughout the kingdom, making Jedidah's place in the genealogy of this reforming king historically significant.

Biography

Jedidah is mentioned in 2Ki.22.1 as the mother of King Josiah of Judah. She was the daughter of Adaiah from Bozkath, a town in the Shephelah region of Judah. Jedidah's son, Josiah, became king at the age of eight and reigned for thirty-one years in Jerusalem. He is known for his religious reforms and his efforts to restore the worship of the Lord in Judah. The text does not provide any further information about Jedidah's life or her role in Josiah's upbringing. However, her mention as the mother of a significant king in Judah's history highlights the importance of maternal lineage in the royal succession.

Family

In Scripture

1 biblical book
2 Kings 1 verse
  • 2 Kings 22:1

    "Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years. His mother’s name was Jedidah daughter of Adaiah; she was from Bozkath."

Names & Aliases

Form Language Script
Named Hebrew יְדִידָה
Encyclopedia Article

Jedidah

ISBE 1915 (Public Domain)

the beloved of Yah"): The name conferred by God through Nathan upon Solomon at his birth (2Sa 12:25).

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