Dictionary of the Old Testament: Historical Books (The IVP Bible Dictionary Series) by

Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: InterVarsity Press
Published: 2011-09-26T04:00:00+00:00

J

JAIR. See Judges; HISTORY OF ISRAEL 2: PREMONARCHIC ISRAEL.

JEBUS. See JERUSALEM.

JEHOAHAZ. See HISTORY OF ISRAEL 5: ASSYRIAN PERIOD.

JEHOIAKIM. See HISTORY OF ISRAEL 6: BABYLONIAN PERIOD.

JEHOIAKIN. See HISTORY OF ISRAEL 6: BABYLONIAN PERIOD.

JEHORAM/JORAM. See HISTORY OF ISRAEL 5: ASSYRIAN PERIOD.

JEHOSHAPHAT

The Hebrew name Jehoshaphat (yĕhôšāpāṭ) contains the theophoric element yĕhô- and means “YHWH has judged.” In the Historical Books the name Jehoshaphat designates four different individuals: (1) the son of Ahilud (2 Sam 8:16; 20:24; 1 Kings 4:3; 1 Chron 18:15): a “herald” (mazkîr) of high civil rank who served under David and Solomon (see Fox, 110-21, 281, 286, 310); (2) the son of Paruah (1 Kings 4:17): a “prefect” (niṣṣāb) over the district of Issachar who served under Solomon (see Fox, 141-49, 287); (3) the son of Nimshi (2 Kings 9:2, 14): the father of King Jehu; (4) the son of King Asa and Azubah: a “good” king over Judah who reigned for twenty-five years in the second quarter of the ninth century BCE (870-846 BCE). The latter was co-regent with Asa for three years, and his firstborn son, Jehoram (who reigned 851-843 BCE and was co-regent with Jehoshaphat for four years), succeeded him as king.

This fourth Jehoshaphat is the primary topic for the discussion that follows. After a brief look at the relevant sources, the political history of Jehoshaphat’s reign will be considered from the perspectives of foreign and domestic affairs. Finally, the archaeological context of his reign will be explored.

1. Sources

2. Foreign Affairs

3. Domestic Affairs

4. Archaeological Context

1. Sources.

The sources for Jehoshaphat’s reign are restricted to the biblical record (1 Kings 22:1-50; 2 Kings 3:1-27; 2 Chron 17:1-21:3). The royal name Jehoshaphat is not mentioned in any extrabiblical documents known to date. The material in Kings is very brief in comparison to that of Chronicles. The Chronicler devotes almost as many words to Jehoshaphat (101 verses) as he does to *Hezekiah (117 verses). While most of the material in Kings refers to Jehoshaphat in the context of contemporaneous northern kings and prophets, the Chronicler demonstrates interest in the divine blessings and retributions associated with Jehoshaphat’s piety and political alliances (see Japhet, 743, 756, 782-83, 802; Knoppers 1991).

2. Foreign Affairs.

2.1. Alliance with Ahab. Jehoshaphat’s alliances with the northern kingdom began with Ahab (1 Kings 22:1-40; 2 Chron 18:1-19:3). References to the marriage of Ahab’s daughter (Athaliah) to Jehoshaphat’s son (Jehoram) and to the slaughtering of sheep and cattle are indications that a treaty had been made between the two kingdoms (2 Chron 18:1-2; cf. 1 Kings 22:44). That Jehoshaphat may have been the vassal in this relationship is suggested by the scenario in which he acted as Ahab’s substitute in battle. This is similar to a Hittite treaty from the thirteenth century BCE in which the vassal was required to be ready to die for his suzerain (COS 2.18:104).

It was in this treaty context that Ahab asked Jehoshaphat to aid in a military strike to reclaim Ramoth Gilead from the king of *Aram. Jehoshaphat complied, but he insisted on inquiring of a prophet of the Lord.

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