יוֹאָחָז
𐤉𐤅𐤀𐤇𐤆
Yoachaz
H3099 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Yôwʼâchâz is a personal name meaning 'Yahweh has grasped' or 'Yahweh has seized.' It is used as the name of two monarchs in the Hebrew Bible, one a king of Israel and the other a king of Judah. The name carries connotations of divine protection, possession, or intervention, reflecting a common naming pattern wherein a theophoric element (in this case, the divine name YHWH) is combined with a verb indicating action taken by the deity. In biblical narratives, individuals bearing this name are associated with kingship and political upheaval.
Semantic Range
personal name; 'Yahweh has grasped,' bestowed as a theophoric name; name of kings of Israel and Judah; reflects divine protection or selection; representation of royal or prophetic identity
Root / Etymology
From the Hebrew root אָחַז (ʼ-ḥ-z), meaning 'to seize, grasp, take hold of.' The name יוֹאָחָז is a contraction or variant of יְהוֹאָחָז (Yeho'achaz), replacing the full theophoric element 'Yeho-' (Yahweh) with 'Yo-.' Etymologically, the form combines a shortened form of the divine name YHWH ('Yo-') with the verb 'achaz' (to grasp/seize), literally meaning 'Yahweh has grasped.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
The name יהואחז (Yeho'achaz) appears alongside the contracted form יוֹאָחָז (Yo'achaz) in the biblical record, reflecting dialectal or chronological variation in personal naming conventions. The contracted form predominates in later narratives. Both names are borne by distinct individuals: a king of the northern kingdom (Israel) and a king of the southern kingdom (Judah); English translations often standardize both as 'Jehoahaz,' though the original Hebrew forms differ. The name follows a widespread Israelite theophoric pattern expressing divine agency or favor. The English rendering 'Joahaz' or 'Jehoahaz' reflects Hellenistic and later transliteration practices, but can obscure semantic nuance and variant forms present in the Hebrew text. In pre-exilic and monarchic contexts, the name would have been understood as an assertion of divine protection or calling.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a form of יְהוֹאָחָז; Joachaz, the name of two Israelites; Jehoahaz, Joahaz.
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
| 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
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3099-01 |
יוֹאָחָ֖ז | yoachaz | HNp |
Jehoahaz | Yahweh-has-grasped | 4 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3099-01 |
2 Kings 14:1 | יוֹאָחָ֖ז | yoachaz | HNp |
of Jehoahaz | Yahweh-has-grasped |
H3099-01 |
2 Chronicles 34:8 | יֽוֹאָחָז֙ | yoachaz | HNp |
Joahaz | Yahweh-has-grasped |
H3099-01 |
2 Chronicles 36:2 | יוֹאָחָ֣ז | yoachaz | HNp |
Jehoahaz | Yahweh-has-grasped |
H3099-01 |
2 Chronicles 36:4 | יוֹאָחָ֤ז | yoachaz | HNp |
Jehoahaz | Yahweh-has-grasped |