Jehoahaz יְהוֹאָחָז
King of Judah, son of Josiah
Who is Jehoahaz in the Bible?
Jehoahaz, also known as Johanan, was a king of Judah and the son of King Josiah (2 Kings 23:30-31). After his father's death, the people of Judah made him king in Jerusalem when he was only twenty-three years old, though he was not the eldest son. His reign lasted just three months before Pharaoh Necho of Egypt removed him from power, imposed heavy tribute on Judah, and replaced him with his brother Eliakim, who was renamed Jehoiakim (2 Kings 23:33-34). Jehoahaz was taken captive to Egypt, where he died, marking a turning point in Judah's history as the nation increasingly fell under foreign domination.
Biography
Jehoahaz, also known as Johanan, was a king of Judah and the son of Josiah, as mentioned in 2Ki.23.30-31, 2 Chronicles 2Ki.36.1-2, and 1Ch.3.15. After the death of his father Josiah, the people of the land made Jehoahaz king in Jerusalem, even though he was not the eldest son (2Ki.23.30, 2 Chronicles 2Ki.36.1). He was twenty-three years old when he became king and reigned for only three months (2Ki.23.31, 2 Chronicles 2Ki.36.2). However, Pharaoh Necho of Egypt removed Jehoahaz from the throne, imposed a heavy tribute on Judah, and made his brother Eliakim (later renamed Jehoiakim) king in his place (2Ki.23.33-34, 2 Chronicles 2Ki.36.3-4). Pharaoh Necho took Jehoahaz captive to Egypt, where he died (2Ki.23.34). The brief reign of Jehoahaz was marked by the increasing influence of Egypt over Judah and the beginning of a period of political instability and foreign domination.
Family
Parents
In Scripture
3 biblical books2 Kings 3 verses
- 2 Kings 23:30
"From Megiddo his servants carried his body in a chariot, brought him to Jerusalem, and buried him in his own tomb. Then the people of the land took Jehoahaz son of Josiah, anointed him, and made him king in place of his father."
- 2 Kings 23:31
"Jehoahaz was twenty-three years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months. His mother’s name was Hamutal daughter of Jeremiah; she was from Libnah."
- 2 Kings 23:34
"Then Pharaoh Neco made Eliakim son of Josiah king in place of his father Josiah, and he changed Eliakim’s name to Jehoiakim. But Neco took Jehoahaz and carried him off to Egypt, where he died."
2 Chronicles 3 verses
- 2 Chronicles 36:1
"Then the people of the land took Jehoahaz son of Josiah and made him king in Jerusalem in place of his father."
- 2 Chronicles 36:2
"Jehoahaz was twenty-three years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months."
- 2 Chronicles 36:4
"Then Neco king of Egypt made Eliakim brother of Jehoahaz king over Judah and Jerusalem, and he changed Eliakim’s name to Jehoiakim. But Neco took Eliakim’s brother Jehoahaz and carried him off to Egypt."
1 Chronicles 1 verse
- 1 Chronicles 3:15
"The sons of Josiah: Johanan was the firstborn, Jehoiakim the second, Zedekiah the third, and Shallum the fourth."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | יְהוֹאָחָז | — | — |
| Spelled | Hebrew | יוֹאָחָז | — | — |
| Named | Hebrew | יוֹחָנָן | ywōḥānān | Jochanan , the name of nine Israelites |