3379. Yarobam
Lexical Summary
Yarobam: Jeroboam

Original Word: יָרָבְעָם
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Yarob`am
Pronunciation: yah-roh-VAHM
Phonetic Spelling: (yaw-rob-awm')
KJV: Jeroboam
NASB: Jeroboam, Jeroboam's
Word Origin: [from H7378 (רִיבּ רוּב - contend) and H5971 (עַם - People)]

1. (the) people will contend
2. Jarobam, the name of two Israelite kings

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Jeroboam

From riyb and am; (the) people will contend; Jarobam, the name of two Israelite kings -- Jeroboam.

see HEBREW riyb

see HEBREW am

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from rabab and am
Definition
"the people increase," the name of two Isr. kings
NASB Translation
Jeroboam (100), Jeroboam's (3).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
יָָֽרָבְעָם104 proper name, masculine Jeroboam, Ιεροβοαμ (probably = יָרֹב + עַם the people increaseth Thes Kit1Kings 11:26 and others; compare also GrayProp.N. 59; Ency. Bib. i. 139 f.; > √ ריב the people contendeth or (the god) 'Amm contendeth NbrStud. Bib. i. 225, compare CheJQ July, 1899, 559; Ency. Bib.); —

190 (Kings Chronicles), leader of revolt of Northern Israel (10th century), and first king 1 Kings 11:26; 1 Kings 12:2 (twice in verse); 1 Kings 12:20, etc., "" 2Chronicles 10:2 (twice in verse); 2Chronicles 10:3,12 etc., 1 Kings 13:1; 1 Kings 13:4; 1 Kings 13:83 +; (specifically בֶּןנְֿבָט ׳יר 1 Kings 11:26 23t.); in later times (under Deuteronomic influence) as sinful and author of Israel's sin 1 Kings 15:30; 1 Kings 16:2,7,19,26,31 15t.

2 son of Jehoash of Northern Israel (8th cent.) and 13th king 2 Kings 13:13; 2 Kings 14:16,23,27,28,29; 2 Kings 15:1,8; Hosea 1:1; Amos 1:1; Amos 7:9,10,11; probably also 1 Chronicles 5:17.

Topical Lexicon
Identity and Occurrences

The name יָרָבְעָם (Jeroboam) is borne by two kings of the Northern Kingdom of Israel and is recorded about one-hundred-and-four times in the Old Testament—mainly in 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, Amos, and Hosea. Scripture never treats the two men interchangeably; context and patronymic (“son of Nebat,” “son of Joash”) distinguish them.

Jeroboam I, Son of Nebat (reigned c. 931 – 910 BC)

• Rise to Prominence

Solomon appointed him superintendent over the forced labor of Joseph’s tribes (1 Kings 11:28). When Ahijah the Shilonite prophesied that ten tribes would be torn from Solomon’s house, Jeroboam became the divinely announced instrument of division (1 Kings 11:29-39). He fled to Egypt until Solomon’s death.

• Secession and Coronation

At Shechem the northern tribes rejected Rehoboam’s harsh policy and proclaimed Jeroboam king (1 Kings 12:16-20). Thus the united monarchy became two rival kingdoms.

• Religious Innovations

Fearing that pilgrimages to Jerusalem would undermine his throne, Jeroboam introduced an alternative cultus: two golden calves at Bethel and Dan, non-Levitical priests, high places, and an imitation feast in the eighth month (1 Kings 12:26-33).

“After seeking advice, the king made two golden calves and said to the people, ‘It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem…’ ” (1 Kings 12:28-29). The narrative immediately adds, “And this thing became a sin” (1 Kings 12:30).

• Prophetic Confrontations and Judgment

– The unnamed man of God from Judah pronounced the altar’s destruction (1 Kings 13).

– Ahijah foretold the death of Jeroboam’s sick son and the extinction of his house (1 Kings 14:6-16).

– Abijah of Judah defeated him even with inferior forces because “God gave them into their hand” (2 Chronicles 13:15-18).

Baasha later annihilated Jeroboam’s dynasty (1 Kings 15:29).

• Enduring Legacy

Nineteen times Kings says of later rulers, “He walked in the way of Jeroboam son of Nebat and in his sins which he caused Israel to commit” (e.g., 1 Kings 16:26; 2 Kings 17:21-22). Jeroboam’s apostasy became a template for national rebellion that ultimately led to the Assyrian exile.

Jeroboam II, Son of Joash (reigned c. 793 – 753 BC)

• Political Expansion and Prosperity

“He restored the border of Israel from Lebo-Hamath to the Sea of the Arabah” (2 Kings 14:25). The respite came “because the LORD saw the bitter affliction of Israel” (2 Kings 14:26). Jonah son of Amittai had prophesied this deliverance (2 Kings 14:25).

• Moral and Spiritual Climate

Despite outward success, “He did evil in the sight of the LORD; he did not turn away from all the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat” (2 Kings 14:24). Amos and Hosea ministered during his reign, exposing oppression, immorality, and empty ritual (Amos 2:6-8; Hosea 4:1-2).

• Prophetic Opposition

Amos declared, “I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword” (Amos 7:9). The priest Amaziah accused Amos of conspiracy: “Jeroboam will die by the sword, and Israel will surely go into exile” (Amos 7:11).

• Aftermath

Although Jeroboam II’s forty-one-year reign brought unparalleled northern prosperity, within three decades Israel collapsed, proving that material success cannot mask covenant unfaithfulness.

The ‘Way of Jeroboam’

1. Political Pragmatism over Divine Revelation
2. Idolatry masquerading as orthodox worship
3. Unauthorized priesthood and calendar
4. A hereditary pattern of sin infecting subsequent generations

This composite “way” became the canonical shorthand for rebellion, cited from Nadab (1 Kings 15:25-26) to Hoshea (2 Kings 17:21-23).

Theological Themes

• Covenant Fidelity versus National Security

Jeroboam I’s fear that worship in Jerusalem would cost him the kingdom betrayed unbelief in God’s promise (1 Kings 11:38). Secular calculations led to spiritual ruin.

• Prophetic Accountability

Both Jeroboams were confronted by prophets whose words stood vindicated. Their histories illustrate God’s unchanging standard for rulers and people alike.

• Sin’s Corporate Consequences

By institutionalizing false worship, Jeroboam I embedded idolatry into Israel’s identity; Jeroboam II reaped prosperity without repentance, hastening ultimate judgment.

Key Passages for Study

1 Kings 11:26-40; 12:1-33; 13:1-34; 14:1-20

2 Chronicles 10:1 – 11:4; 13:1-20

2 Kings 13:13; 14:23-29; 15:1; 17:21-23

Amos 1:1; 7:9-17

Hosea 1:1

Ministry Implications

• Leaders who substitute convenience for obedience mislead those under their care.
• Idolatry can wear orthodox labels; discernment requires measuring worship by Scripture, not expediency.
• National or ecclesiastical success is no guarantee of divine favor; faithfulness remains the non-negotiable criterion.

Forms and Transliterations
וְיָֽרָבְעָ֖ם וְיָֽרָבְעָ֗ם וְיָרָבְעָ֖ם וְיָרָבְעָ֗ם וְיָרָבְעָ֛ם וְיָרָבְעָם֩ וירבעם יָֽרָבְעָ֔ם יָֽרָבְעָם֙ יָרָבְעָ֑ם יָרָבְעָ֔ם יָרָבְעָ֖ם יָרָבְעָ֗ם יָרָבְעָ֛ם יָרָבְעָ֜ם יָרָבְעָ֡ם יָרָבְעָ֣ם יָרָבְעָ֣ם ׀ יָרָבְעָ֤ם יָרָבְעָ֥ם יָרָבְעָ֧ם יָרָבְעָ֨ם יָרָבְעָֽם׃ יָרָבְעָם֒ יָרָבְעָם֙ ירבעם ירבעם׃ לְיָֽרָבְעָ֔ם לְיָֽרָבְעָ֤ם לְיָֽרָבְעָם֙ לְיָרָבְעָ֖ם לְיָרָבְעָ֗ם לירבעם lə·yā·rā·ḇə·‘ām ləyārāḇə‘ām leyaraveAm veyaraveAm wə·yā·rā·ḇə·‘ām wəyārāḇə‘ām yā·rā·ḇə·‘ām yārāḇə‘ām yaraveAm
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
1 Kings 11:26
HEB: וְיָרָבְעָם֩ בֶּן־ נְבָ֨ט
NAS: Then Jeroboam the son of Nebat,
KJV: And Jeroboam the son of Nebat,
INT: Jeroboam the son of Nebat

1 Kings 11:28
HEB: וְהָאִ֥ישׁ יָרָבְעָ֖ם גִּבּ֣וֹר חָ֑יִל
NAS: Now the man Jeroboam was a valiant
KJV: And the man Jeroboam [was] a mighty man
INT: now the man Jeroboam warrior was a valiant

1 Kings 11:29
HEB: בָּעֵ֣ת הַהִ֔יא וְיָֽרָבְעָ֖ם יָצָ֣א מִירוּשָׁלִָ֑ם
NAS: about at that time, when Jeroboam went
KJV: And it came to pass at that time when Jeroboam went out
INT: time he Jeroboam went of Jerusalem

1 Kings 11:31
HEB: וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ לְיָֽרָבְעָ֔ם קַח־ לְךָ֖
NAS: He said to Jeroboam, Take
KJV: And he said to Jeroboam, Take thee ten
INT: said to Jeroboam Take ten

1 Kings 11:40
HEB: לְהָמִ֣ית אֶת־ יָרָבְעָ֑ם וַיָּ֣קָם יָרָבְעָ֗ם
NAS: therefore to put Jeroboam to death;
KJV: therefore to kill Jeroboam. And Jeroboam
INT: Solomon to put Jeroboam arose Jeroboam

1 Kings 11:40
HEB: יָרָבְעָ֑ם וַיָּ֣קָם יָרָבְעָ֗ם וַיִּבְרַ֤ח מִצְרַ֙יִם֙
NAS: to death; but Jeroboam arose
KJV: Jeroboam. And Jeroboam arose,
INT: Jeroboam arose Jeroboam and fled to Egypt

1 Kings 12:2
HEB: וַיְהִ֞י כִּשְׁמֹ֣עַ ׀ יָרָבְעָ֣ם בֶּן־ נְבָ֗ט
NAS: Now when Jeroboam the son of Nebat
KJV: And it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son
INT: become heard Jeroboam the son of Nebat

1 Kings 12:2
HEB: שְׁלֹמֹ֑ה וַיֵּ֥שֶׁב יָרָבְעָ֖ם בְּמִצְרָֽיִם׃
KJV: Solomon, and Jeroboam dwelt
INT: Solomon was living Jeroboam Egypt

1 Kings 12:3
HEB: (וַיָּבֹ֥א ק) יָרָבְעָ֖ם וְכָל־ קְהַ֣ל
NAS: and called him, and Jeroboam and all
KJV: and called him. And Jeroboam and all the congregation
INT: and called abide and Jeroboam and all the assembly

1 Kings 12:12
HEB: (וַיָּבֹ֨וא ק) יָרָבְעָ֧ם וְכָל־ הָעָ֛ם
NAS: Then Jeroboam and all the people
KJV: So Jeroboam and all the people came
INT: abide Jeroboam and all the people

1 Kings 12:15
HEB: הַשִּׁילֹנִ֔י אֶל־ יָרָבְעָ֖ם בֶּן־ נְבָֽט׃
NAS: the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son
KJV: the Shilonite unto Jeroboam the son
INT: the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat

1 Kings 12:20
HEB: כִּֽי־ שָׁ֣ב יָרָבְעָ֔ם וַֽיִּשְׁלְח֗וּ וַיִּקְרְא֤וּ
NAS: heard that Jeroboam had returned,
KJV: heard that Jeroboam was come again,
INT: for had returned Jeroboam sent and called

1 Kings 12:25
HEB: וַיִּ֨בֶן יָרָבְעָ֧ם אֶת־ שְׁכֶ֛ם
NAS: Then Jeroboam built Shechem
KJV: Then Jeroboam built Shechem
INT: built Jeroboam Shechem the hill

1 Kings 12:26
HEB: וַיֹּ֥אמֶר יָרָבְעָ֖ם בְּלִבּ֑וֹ עַתָּ֛ה
NAS: Jeroboam said in his heart,
KJV: And Jeroboam said in his heart,
INT: said Jeroboam his heart Now

1 Kings 12:32
HEB: וַיַּ֣עַשׂ יָרָבְעָ֣ם ׀ חָ֡ג בַּחֹ֣דֶשׁ
NAS: Jeroboam instituted a feast
KJV: And Jeroboam ordained a feast
INT: instituted Jeroboam A feast month

1 Kings 13:1
HEB: בֵּֽית־ אֵ֑ל וְיָרָבְעָ֛ם עֹמֵ֥ד עַל־
NAS: of the LORD, while Jeroboam was standing
KJV: unto Bethel: and Jeroboam stood
INT: about Bethel Jeroboam was standing by

1 Kings 13:4
HEB: אֵ֔ל וַיִּשְׁלַ֨ח יָרָבְעָ֧ם אֶת־ יָד֛וֹ
NAS: in Bethel, Jeroboam stretched
KJV: And it came to pass, when king Jeroboam heard
INT: Bethel stretched Jeroboam his hand against

1 Kings 13:33
HEB: לֹֽא־ שָׁ֥ב יָרָבְעָ֖ם מִדַּרְכּ֣וֹ הָרָעָ֑ה
NAS: event Jeroboam did not return
KJV: this thing Jeroboam returned
INT: did not return Jeroboam way his evil

1 Kings 13:34
HEB: לְחַטַּ֖את בֵּ֣ית יָרָבְעָ֑ם וּלְהַכְחִיד֙ וּלְהַשְׁמִ֔יד
NAS: to the house of Jeroboam, even to blot
KJV: unto the house of Jeroboam, even to cut [it] off,
INT: sin to the house of Jeroboam to blot and destroy

1 Kings 14:1
HEB: אֲבִיָּ֥ה בֶן־ יָרָבְעָֽם׃
NAS: the son of Jeroboam became sick.
KJV: Abijah the son of Jeroboam fell sick.
INT: Abijah the son of Jeroboam

1 Kings 14:2
HEB: וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יָרָבְעָ֜ם לְאִשְׁתּ֗וֹ ק֤וּמִי
NAS: Jeroboam said to his wife,
KJV: And Jeroboam said to his wife,
INT: said Jeroboam to his wife Arise

1 Kings 14:2
HEB: ק) אֵ֣שֶׁת יָרָבְעָ֑ם וְהָלַ֣כְתְּ שִׁלֹ֗ה
NAS: that you are the wife of Jeroboam, and go
KJV: to be the wife of Jeroboam; and get
INT: you you are the wife of Jeroboam and go to Shiloh

1 Kings 14:4
HEB: כֵּן֙ אֵ֣שֶׁת יָרָבְעָ֔ם וַתָּ֙קָם֙ וַתֵּ֣לֶךְ
NAS: Jeroboam's wife did
KJV: And Jeroboam's wife did so,
INT: so wife Jeroboam's and arose and went

1 Kings 14:5
HEB: הִנֵּ֣ה אֵ֣שֶׁת יָרָבְעָ֡ם בָּאָ֣ה לִדְרֹשׁ֩
NAS: the wife of Jeroboam is coming
KJV: Behold, the wife of Jeroboam cometh
INT: Behold the wife of Jeroboam is coming to inquire

1 Kings 14:6
HEB: בֹּ֖אִי אֵ֣שֶׁת יָרָבְעָ֑ם לָ֣מָּה זֶּ֗ה
NAS: in, wife of Jeroboam, why
KJV: thou wife of Jeroboam; why feignest thou thyself [to be] another?
INT: Come wife of Jeroboam why he

104 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 3379
104 Occurrences


lə·yā·rā·ḇə·‘ām — 8 Occ.
wə·yā·rā·ḇə·‘ām — 7 Occ.
yā·rā·ḇə·‘ām — 89 Occ.

3378
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