Jeroboam יָֽרָבְעָם
King of Israel, son of Jehoash.
Who is Jeroboam in the Bible?
Jeroboam II was a king of the northern kingdom of Israel who reigned for 41 years, from approximately 786 to 746 BC, as the son of Jehoash (2 Kings 14:23-29). During his reign, he successfully restored much of Israel's former territory, extending the kingdom's boundaries to the entrance of Hamath, fulfilling a prophecy given through the prophet Jonah. However, despite these military and territorial achievements, Jeroboam II maintained the idolatrous worship of golden calves at Bethel and Dan that had characterized the northern kingdom since its founding. The prophets Amos and Hosea, active during his time, condemned the widespread social injustice, religious corruption, and moral decay that flourished beneath the surface of his prosperous reign (Amos 1:1, Hosea 1:1). Jeroboam II's reign represents a critical moment in Israel's history, demonstrating how political and economic success could mask spiritual decline and divine judgment.
Biography
Jeroboam II was a king of Israel who reigned for 41 years, from around 786 to 746 BC. He was the son of Jehoash and the grandson of Jehoahaz. During his reign, Jeroboam II was able to restore some of Israel's former territories, extending the kingdom's boundaries to the "entrance of Hamath," as predicted by the prophet Jonah.
Despite his military successes, Jeroboam II continued in the idolatrous practices of his predecessors, maintaining the worship of the golden calves in Bethel and Dan. The prophets Amos and Hosea, who were active during his reign, condemned the social injustice, religious corruption, and moral decay prevalent in Israel at the time.
Jeroboam II's reign was marked by prosperity and stability, but this was followed by a period of decline and political turmoil after his death. His son Zechariah succeeded him but was assassinated after only six months on the throne.
Family
In Scripture
4 biblical books ; 1 with study content2 Kings 5 verses
- 2 Kings 13:13
"And Jehoash rested with his fathers, and Jeroboam succeeded him on the throne. Jehoash was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel."
- 2 Kings 14:16
"And Jehoash rested with his fathers and was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel. And his son Jeroboam reigned in his place."
- 2 Kings 14:23
"In the fifteenth year of the reign of Amaziah son of Joash over Judah, Jeroboam son of Jehoash became king of Israel, and he reigned in Samaria forty-one years."
- 2 Kings 14:27
"and since the LORD had said that He would not blot out the name of Israel from under heaven, He saved them by the hand of Jeroboam son of Jehoash."
- 2 Kings 14:28
"As for the rest of the acts of Jeroboam, along with all his accomplishments and might, and how he waged war and recovered both Damascus and Hamath for Israel from Judah, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel?"
1 Chronicles 1 verse
- 1 Chronicles 5:17
"All of them were recorded in the genealogies during the reigns of Jotham king of Judah and Jeroboam king of Israel."
Hosea 1 verse
- Hosea 1:1
"This is the word of the LORD that came to Hosea son of Beeri in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and of Jeroboam son of Jehoash, king of Israel."
Study Hosea →
Amos 4 verses
- Amos 1:1
"These are the words of Amos, who was among the sheepherders of Tekoa—what he saw concerning Israel two years before the earthquake, in the days when Uzziah was king of Judah and Jeroboam son of Jehoash was king of Israel."
- Amos 7:9
"The high places of Isaac will be deserted, and the sanctuaries of Israel will be laid waste; and I will rise up against the house of Jeroboam with My sword.”"
- Amos 7:10
"Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent word to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying, “Amos has conspired against you in the midst of the house of Israel. The land cannot bear all his words,"
- Amos 7:11
"for this is what Amos has said: ‘Jeroboam will die by the sword, and Israel will surely go into exile, away from their homeland.’”"
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | יָֽרָבְעָם |