Hebrew · Strong's H3077
יְהוֹיָדָע
(yeh-ho-yah-DAH)
proper noun
Jehoiada was a prominent high priest in Judah during the reigns of Ahaziah, Athaliah, and Joash, and the father of Benaiah, a commander in David’s army.
Jehoiada is a Hebrew proper noun, meaning "Yahweh knows." The name appears prominently in two distinct biblical contexts. The first is Jehoiada, the father of Benaiah, who was a key military leader under King David. Benaiah served as the commander of David’s Cherethites and Pelethites, an elite guard, and later became the commander of the whole army. This Jehoiada is mentioned in accounts of David’s mighty men and during the events surrounding the succession of Solomon to the throne.
The second, and more extensively documented, figure is Jehoiada the high priest in Judah. He played a crucial role in the restoration of the Davidic line after the usurpation of the throne by Athaliah. Jehoiada boldly led the coup that overthrew Athaliah, hiding the young prince Joash in the temple for six years and then presenting him as the rightful king. He made a covenant between the Lord, the king, and the people, ensuring their pledge to be the Lord's people.
As high priest, Jehoiada guided King Joash in repairing and maintaining the temple. He organized the collection of funds for these repairs, demonstrating his administrative and spiritual leadership. Jehoiada lived to a remarkable age of 130 and was buried among the kings, an honor reflecting his immense contribution and righteous influence on the kingdom. Despite his profound impact, Joash sadly strayed from God's ways after Jehoiada's death.
Common English renderings
- Jehoiada
- Jehoishada
- Joyada
Key verses
"Thus Joash the king remembered not the kindness which Jehoiada his father had done to him, but slew his son. And when he died, he said, Jehovah look upon it, and require it."
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"And when they had made an end, they brought the rest of the money before the king and Jehoiada, whereof were made vessels for the house of Jehovah, even vessels wherewith to minister and to offer, and spoons, and vessels of gold and silver. And they offered burnt-offerings in the house of Jehovah continually all the days of Jehoiada."
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"But Jehoiada the priest took a chest, and bored a hole in the lid of it, and set it beside the altar, on the right side as one cometh into the house of Jehovah: and the priests that kept the threshold put therein all the money that was brought into the house of Jehovah."
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"And the king and Jehoiada gave it to such as did the work of the service of the house of Jehovah; and they hired masons and carpenters to restore the house of Jehovah, and also such as wrought iron and brass to repair the house of Jehovah."
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"And the captains over hundreds did according to all that Jehoiada the priest commanded; and they took every man his men, those that were to come in on the sabbath, with those that were to go out on the sabbath, and came to Jehoiada the priest."
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"These things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and had a name among the three mighty men."
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