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Jehoshaphat

biblical_proper_name theological_term standard

Jehoshaphat is a biblical proper name borne by several Old Testament men, most notably the godly king of Judah who sought the Lord and led reforms.

At a Glance

Biblical proper name; best known for the king of Judah.

Key Points

Description

Jehoshaphat is a biblical proper name used for several men in the Old Testament. The most prominent is Jehoshaphat king of Judah, who succeeded Asa and is described as a ruler who sought the Lord, strengthened the kingdom, promoted reforms, and responded to national danger with prayer and dependence on God. Scripture also uses the name for other individuals, so a responsible dictionary entry should distinguish the king of Judah from the other occurrences and avoid confusing the name with a theological concept. The name itself is meaningful, but the primary value of the entry is historical and biblical rather than doctrinal.

Biblical Context

In the biblical narrative, Jehoshaphat of Judah appears in the Kings and Chronicles accounts as part of the divided monarchy. His reign is associated with covenant concern, administrative strengthening, alliances with Israel that brought mixed results, and a notable crisis in which he called the people to fasting and prayer before God granted deliverance.

Historical Context

Jehoshaphat reigned in the southern kingdom of Judah during the divided monarchy period. The historical narratives portray him as a comparatively faithful king who sought to stabilize Judah, encourage judicial order, and trust the Lord during military threats. The biblical record also shows that political alliances could weaken discernment even in a generally godly reign.

Jewish and Ancient Context

The Hebrew name is commonly understood as meaning "Yahweh has judged" or "The LORD judges." In ancient Israel, names often carried theological significance and testified to God’s rule, justice, or covenant faithfulness. As a royal name, Jehoshaphat fit naturally within this naming pattern.

Primary Key Texts

Secondary Key Texts

Original Language Note

Hebrew: יְהוֹשָׁפָט (Yəhôšāphāṭ), commonly understood as "Yahweh has judged" or "The LORD judges."

Theological Significance

Jehoshaphat’s reign illustrates the blessing of seeking the Lord, the value of prayerful dependence in crisis, and the importance of reforming leadership under God’s word. The narrative also warns that even a generally faithful ruler can make unwise alliances.

Philosophical Explanation

As a proper name, Jehoshaphat does not denote a doctrine or abstract theological category. Its significance comes from the biblical persons who bear it, especially the king whose life displays the moral and spiritual consequences of trusting God or compromising with ungodliness.

Interpretive Cautions

Do not confuse Jehoshaphat the king of Judah with other Old Testament men of the same name. Also avoid treating the phrase "Valley of Jehoshaphat" as a settled geographical identification; the prophetic reference in Joel has been interpreted in more than one way.

Major Views

Readers generally agree that the name means something like "The LORD judges." The main interpretive discussion concerns Joel’s use of the name in the phrase "Valley of Jehoshaphat," where some see a symbolic designation for divine judgment and others look for a specific location.

Doctrinal Boundaries

Jehoshaphat supports general biblical themes of prayer, reform, and trust in God, but it does not establish a distinct doctrine or require speculative interpretation beyond the historical text.

Practical Significance

Jehoshaphat encourages believers, especially leaders, to seek the Lord, lead with reforming courage, and depend on God rather than worldly alliances when facing pressure or fear.

Related Entries

See Also

Data

Machine-readable JSON for Jehoshaphat

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