יְהוֹאָחָז
𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤀𐤇𐤆
Yehoachaz
H3059 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A personal name meaning 'YHWH has grasped' or 'YHWH holds.' Used for multiple individuals in the Hebrew Bible, most notably: (1) the son and successor of King Josiah of Judah; (2) the son and successor of King Jehu of Israel; (3) a son of Jehoram, a priest during the reign of King Joash. Name construction follows a theophoric pattern, expressing dependence on or protection by YHWH.
Semantic Range
YHWH has grasped, YHWH holds, personal name expressing divine possession or protection, royal and priestly personal name
Root / Etymology
Formed from the theophoric element יְהוֹ (Yeho-, representing YHWH) and the verb אָחַז (to seize, grasp, hold), thus 'YHWH has grasped/held.' Cognate with יוֹאָחָז (Yoʼachaz), with an alternate theophoric prefix.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The name יְהוֹאָחָז appears predominantly in monarchic contexts, borne by two kings ruling different kingdoms: Jehoahaz of Israel (2 Kings 10–13), and Jehoahaz of Judah (2 Kings 23). The inclusion of the divine name reflects the Israelite convention of invoking YHWH’s agency or favor. The form with 'Yeho-' is standard in Judahite royal names, while northern (Israelite) variants sometimes use 'Yo-.' The English rendering 'Jehoahaz' derives from later transliteration traditions and can obscure the original divine-theophoric structure, failing to distinguish between similar names with different theophoric elements (e.g., יְהוֹאָחָז vs. יוֹאָחָז). Greek and Latin traditions sometimes further alter the form, leading to less transparent connections. In post-biblical usage and English tradition, 'Jehoahaz' is typically used without precise recognition of the specific period or kingdom. The term 'Jew' is anachronistic for any bearer of this name in the monarchic period; these individuals were Israelite or Judahite kings or priests.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from יְהֹוָה and אָחַז; Jehovah-seized; Jehoachaz, the name of three Israelites; Jehoahaz. Compare יוֹאָחָז.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
אחז (ʾ-ḥ-z) — to seize, to grasp, to take hold, to hold fast
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H2372 | חָזָה | he has grasped |
| H270 | אָחַז | he seized |
| H271 | אָחָז | he has grasped |
| H272 | אֲחֻזָּה | hereditary holding |
| H273 | אַחְזַי | Yah Holds-Fast |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3059-02 |
יְהוֹאָחָ֥ז | yehoachaz | HNp |
Jehoahaz | YHWH has grasped | 19 |
H3059-01 |
לִ/יהוֹאָחָ֜ז | lihoachaz | HR/Np |
to Jehoahaz | to YHWH-has-grasped | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
20 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3059-02 |
2 Kings 10:35 | יְהוֹאָחָ֥ז | yehoachaz | HNp |
Jehoahaz | YHWH has grasped |
H3059-02 |
2 Kings 13:1 | יְהוֹאָחָ֨ז | yehoachaz | HNp |
Jehoahaz | YHWH has grasped |
H3059-02 |
2 Kings 13:4 | יְהוֹאָחָ֖ז | yehoachaz | HNp |
Jehoahaz | YHWH has grasped |
H3059-01 |
2 Kings 13:7 | לִ/יהוֹאָחָ֜ז | lihoachaz | HR/Np |
to Jehoahaz | to YHWH-has-grasped |
H3059-02 |
2 Kings 13:8 | יְהוֹאָחָ֛ז | yehoachaz | HNp |
of Jehoahaz | YHWH has grasped |
H3059-02 |
2 Kings 13:9 | יְהֽוֹאָחָז֙ | yehoachaz | HNp |
Jehoahaz | YHWH has grasped |
H3059-02 |
2 Kings 13:10 | יְהוֹאָחָ֤ז | yehoachaz | HNp |
of Jehoahaz | YHWH has grasped |
H3059-02 |
2 Kings 13:22 | יְהוֹאָחָֽז | yehoachaz | HNp |
Jehoahaz | YHWH has grasped |
H3059-02 |
2 Kings 13:25 | יְהוֹאָחָ֗ז | yehoachaz | HNp |
Jehoahaz | YHWH has grasped |
H3059-02 |
2 Kings 13:25 | יְהוֹאָחָ֥ז | yehoachaz-2 | HNp |
Jehoahaz | YHWH has grasped |