Joram יוֹרָם
King of Judah, son of Jehoshaphat
Who is Joram in the Bible?
Joram, also known as Jehoram, was the king of Judah and son of King Jehoshaphat who reigned for eight years (2 Kings 8:16-17). He became king at age 32 but did evil in the sight of the Lord, following the pagan practices of the house of Ahab after marrying Athaliah, the daughter of King Ahab of Israel (2 Kings 8:18, 26-27). Joram allied with King Ahaziah of Israel in a military campaign against Hazael of Syria at Ramoth-gilead, where he was wounded in battle (2 Kings 8:28-29). While recovering in Jezreel, Jehu, the newly anointed king of Israel, came to the city and killed both Joram and Ahaziah, ending Joram's reign around 841 BC (2 Kings 9:14-24). Joram's violent death illustrates the consequences of turning away from God and aligning with ungodly rulers.
Biography
Joram, also known as Jehoram, was the king of Judah and the son of King Jehoshaphat. He reigned for eight years (2Ki.8.16-17). Joram became king at the age of 32 and did evil in the sight of the Lord (2Ki.8.18). He married Athaliah, the daughter of King Ahab of Israel, and followed the ways of the house of Ahab (2Ki.8.18, 26-27). Joram formed an alliance with King Ahaziah of Israel and went to war against Hazael, king of Syria, at Ramoth-gilead (2Ki.8.28; 2Ch.22.5). During the battle, Joram was wounded and returned to Jezreel to recover (2Ki.8.29; 2Ch.22.6). While Joram was in Jezreel, Jehu, who had been anointed as king of Israel, came to Jezreel and killed both Joram and Ahaziah (2Ki.9.14-24, 27-29; 2Ch.22.7-9). Joram's reign ended in 841 BC, and he was succeeded by his youngest son, Ahaziah (2Ki.8.24-25; 2Ch.22.1-2).
Family
Parents
In Scripture
2 biblical books2 Kings 5 verses
- 2 Kings 8:16
"In the fifth year of the reign of Joram son of Ahab over Israel, Jehoram son of Jehoshaphat succeeded his father as king of Judah."
- 2 Kings 8:25
"In the twelfth year of the reign of Joram son of Ahab over Israel, Ahaziah son of Jehoram became king of Judah."
- 2 Kings 8:28
"Then Ahaziah went with Joram son of Ahab to fight against Hazael king of Aram at Ramoth-gilead, and the Arameans wounded Joram."
- 2 Kings 8:29
"So King Joram returned to Jezreel to recover from the wounds that the Arameans had inflicted on him at Ramah when he fought against Hazael king of Aram. Then Ahaziah son of Jehoram king of Judah went down to Jezreel to visit Joram son of Ahab, because Joram had been wounded."
- 2 Kings 9:14
"Thus Jehu son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi, conspired against Joram. (Now Joram and all Israel had been defending Ramoth-gilead against Hazael king of Aram,"
2 Chronicles 3 verses
- 2 Chronicles 22:5
"Ahaziah also followed their counsel and went with Joram son of Ahab king of Israel to fight against Hazael king of Aram at Ramoth-gilead. But the Arameans wounded Joram."
- 2 Chronicles 22:7
"Ahaziah’s downfall came from God when he went to visit Joram. When Ahaziah arrived, he went out with Joram to meet Jehu son of Nimshi, whom the LORD had anointed to destroy the house of Ahab."
- 2 Chronicles 22:6
"So he returned to Jezreel to recover from the wounds they had inflicted on him at Ramah when he fought against Hazael king of Aram. Then Ahaziah son of Jehoram king of Judah went down to Jezreel to visit Joram son of Ahab, because Joram had been wounded."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | יוֹרָם |
| Spelled | Hebrew | יְהוֹרָם |
| (same form as previous) | Hebrew | יְהוֹרָם |