Jo'ahaz, also known as Jehoahaz, is a name attributed to several individuals in the Bible, primarily associated with the kings of Israel and Judah. The name Jo'ahaz means "Yahweh has grasped" or "Yahweh has held." This entry will focus on the most prominent figures bearing this name.

1. Jo'ahaz of Israel: Jo'ahaz was the son of Jehu and became the eleventh king of the northern kingdom of Israel. His reign is recorded in 2 Kings 13:1-9. Jo'ahaz ascended to the throne in the twenty-third year of Joash, king of Judah, and reigned for seventeen years in Samaria. His reign was marked by continued idolatry and evil in the sight of the LORD, following the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which led Israel into sin. As a result, the LORD's anger burned against Israel, and He delivered them into the hands of Hazael king of Aram and his son Ben-Hadad. Despite his shortcomings, Jo'ahaz sought the LORD's favor, and the LORD listened to him, providing a deliverer for Israel, allowing them to escape from the oppression of the Arameans. However, the people of Israel did not turn away from the sins of the house of Jeroboam, and the Asherah pole remained standing in Samaria.

2. Jo'ahaz of Judah: Jo'ahaz, also known as Shallum, was the son of Josiah and became the seventeenth king of the southern kingdom of Judah. His brief reign is documented in 2 Kings 23:31-34 and 2 Chronicles 36:1-4. Jo'ahaz was twenty-three years old when he began to reign, and he ruled for only three months in Jerusalem. He was chosen by the people of the land to succeed his father Josiah, despite not being the eldest son. Jo'ahaz did evil in the sight of the LORD, following the practices of his forefathers. His reign was abruptly ended when Pharaoh Neco of Egypt deposed him, bound him in chains at Riblah, and took him to Egypt, where he eventually died. Pharaoh Neco then installed Eliakim, another son of Josiah, as king, changing his name to Jehoiakim.

3. Jo'ahaz in Genealogies: The name Jo'ahaz also appears in genealogical records, such as in 1 Chronicles 3:15, where he is listed among the sons of Josiah, and in 2 Chronicles 21:17, where a Jo'ahaz is mentioned as a son of Jehoram, king of Judah, though this reference is less prominent.

The accounts of Jo'ahaz highlight the recurring theme of the consequences of idolatry and disobedience to God, as well as the LORD's willingness to show mercy when His people seek Him. Despite their failures, the narratives of these kings serve as reminders of God's sovereignty and the importance of faithfulness to His commandments.Jo'ahaz (2 Occurrences)

2 Kings 14:1
In the second year of Joash son of Joahaz king of Israel began Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah to reign.
(See RSV)

2 Chronicles 34:8
Now in the eighteenth year of his reign, when he had purged the land and the house, he sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, and Maaseiah the governor of the city, and Joah the son of Joahaz the recorder, to repair the house of Yahweh his God.
(See RSV)

Jo'ahaz (2 Occurrences)
Jo'ahaz. Joahaz, Jo'ahaz. Joakim . Multi-Version Concordance Jo'ahaz
(2 Occurrences). 2 Kings 14:1 In the second year of Joash son ...
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Joahaz (5 Occurrences)

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Joakim

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