Jehoash of Judah
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Jehoash (יהואש המלך) ("Jehovah-given"), sometimes written Joash, was the king of the ancient Kingdom of Judah, and sole surviving son of Ahaziah. William F. Albright has dated his reign to 837 B.C.E.-800 B.C.E., while E. R. Thiele offers the dates 835 B.C.E.-796 B.C.E.
While still an infant, Jehoash was saved from a massacre commanded by by his grandmother Athaliah in retaliation against a coup organized by the northern prophets of the Kingdom of Israel against her side of the family. Jehoash was hidden by his aunt Jehosheba and his uncle, the high priest Jehoiada, in the Temple of Jerusalem. At the age of seven he was brought forth and proclaimed as king, while Athaliah and her supporters were put to death.
Under priestly influence, the young Jehoash strictly enforced the exclusive worship of the Hebrew God Yahweh but later liberalized this policy to allow other religious traditions. For these deeds, the biblical writers criticize Jehoash as bringing God's judgment on the land, which suffered under a series of Aramean invasion. Jehoash was buried in the City of David (2 Kings 12:21).
He is one of the four kings omitted by Matthew (1:8) in the genealogy of Jesus, the other three being Ahaziah, Amaziah, and Jehoiakim. He is however, referred to in Matthew 23:35.
In 2001, an unprovenanced inscription was published, known as the Temple Inscription, which appears to be a record of repairs made to Solomon's Temple during Jehoash's reign. Following extensive scientific tests the Israeli archaeological authorities declared it to be a forgery and are prosecuting the perpetrator.
Background
External links
| House of David Cadet Branch of the Tribe of Judah | ||
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| Regnal Titles
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| Preceded by: Athaliah |
King of Judah Albright: 837 B.C.E. – 800 B.C.E. Thiele: 835 B.C.E. – 796 B.C.E. Galil: 842 B.C.E. – 802 B.C.E. |
Succeeded by: Amaziah |
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