Ἰωάθαμ

Iōátham

G2488 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Iōátham is a proper noun used for a personal name, referring specifically to the Israelite/Judahite royal figure Jotham found in Hebrew scripture. It functions exclusively as a name and not as a common noun or title. The semantic range is specific to this personal identity, particularly associated with the son of King Uzziah and ruler over the kingdom of Judah in the 8th century BCE.

Semantic Range

personal name of the king of Judah; in genealogies or historical recounting of Judean rulers

Root / Etymology

Derived from the Hebrew יוֹתָם (Yōtām), which is a theophoric compound meaning 'YHWH is perfect' or 'YHWH is complete/sincere' (from יָהּ, YHWH + תָּם, complete, perfect, upright). Transliterated directly into Greek in the Septuagint and New Testament.

Historical & Contextual Notes

The name Ἰωάθαμ appears in Greek texts, particularly the Septuagint and in genealogies in the New Testament (e.g., Matthew 1:9). As a transliteration of a Hebrew theophoric name, its primary function is to reproduce the historical identity of the biblical personage without otherwise changing the meaning. In the LXX and Koine Greek literature, it is used exclusively for this name and not as a generic term. English translations typically use 'Jotham,' following traditional anglicization, but this does not reflect nuances in the Greek form or its origin. The use in the NT signals continuity in royal Judahite genealogy narratives.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

of Hebrew origin (יוֹתָם); Joatham (i.e. Jotham), an Israelite:--Joatham.

Root Family

Ἰωάθαμ (Iōátham) — personal name, to be complete, upright

Root Ἰωάθαμ personal name, to be complete, upright

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2488-01 Ἰωαθάμ ioatham N ACC M SG Jotham Jotham Ioatham 2

Occurrences in Scripture

2 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2488-01 Matthew 1:9 Ἰωαθάμ ioatham N ACC M SG Jotham Jotham Ioatham
G2488-01 Matthew 1:9 Ἰωαθὰμ ioatham-2 N NOM M SG Jotham Jotham Ioatham