Introduction:
Jeho'ash, also known as Joash, was a king of Judah who reigned during the 9th century BC. His account is primarily recorded in the books of 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles. He is notable for his early life, his reforms in the temple, and his eventual downfall. Jeho'ash's reign is a significant period in the history of Judah, marked by both religious reform and political challenges.

Early Life and Ascension to the Throne:
Jeho'ash was the son of King Ahaziah of Judah. His life was preserved through the courageous actions of his aunt Jehosheba, who hid him from the murderous rampage of Athaliah, his grandmother, who sought to destroy the royal line of David. Jeho'ash was hidden in the temple of the LORD for six years while Athaliah ruled the land (2 Kings 11:1-3).

At the age of seven, Jeho'ash was brought out of hiding by the priest Jehoiada, who orchestrated a coup against Athaliah. Jehoiada anointed Jeho'ash as king, and Athaliah was executed (2 Kings 11:4-16). Jeho'ash's early reign was heavily influenced by Jehoiada, who served as a mentor and guide.

Religious Reforms:
Under the guidance of Jehoiada, Jeho'ash initiated significant religious reforms. He is credited with restoring the temple, which had fallen into disrepair during Athaliah's reign. Jeho'ash instructed the priests to collect funds for the temple's repair, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the house of the LORD (2 Kings 12:4-5). The restoration project was a major undertaking, and it demonstrated Jeho'ash's commitment to the worship of Yahweh.

2 Kings 12:6-7 states, "But by the twenty-third year of the reign of Joash, the priests had not yet repaired the damage to the temple. So King Joash summoned Jehoiada the priest and the other priests and said, 'Why have you not repaired the damage to the temple? Do not take any more money from your donors, but hand it over for the repair of the temple.'"

Challenges and Downfall:
Despite his early successes, Jeho'ash's reign faced significant challenges. After the death of Jehoiada, Jeho'ash's commitment to the LORD waned. Influenced by other leaders, he allowed the people to return to idol worship, which provoked the LORD's anger (2 Chronicles 24:17-18).

Jeho'ash's later years were marked by political instability and military threats. Hazael, king of Aram, attacked Judah, and Jeho'ash was forced to pay tribute to avoid destruction (2 Kings 12:17-18). His failure to remain faithful to the LORD ultimately led to his downfall.

Jeho'ash's reign ended tragically when he was assassinated by his own officials. 2 Kings 12:20-21 records, "His servants conspired against him and killed Joash at Beth Millo, on the road that goes down to Silla. His servants Jozabad son of Shimeath and Jehozabad son of Shomer struck him down, and he died. And they buried him with his fathers in the City of David, and his son Amaziah reigned in his place."

Legacy:
Jeho'ash's legacy is a complex one. He began his reign with promise and zeal for the LORD, but his failure to remain steadfast in his faith led to his downfall. His life serves as a reminder of the importance of faithful leadership and the dangers of turning away from God. Jeho'ash's account is a testament to the influence of godly mentorship, as well as the consequences of abandoning divine guidance.Jeho'ash (16 Occurrences)

2 Kings 11:21
Jehoash was seven years old when he began to reign.
(See RSV)

2 Kings 12:1
In the seventh year of Jehu began Jehoash to reign; and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem; and his mother's name was Zibiah of Beer-sheba.
(See RSV)

2 Kings 12:2
And Jehoash did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD all his days wherein Jehoiada the priest instructed him.
(See RSV)

2 Kings 12:4
And Jehoash said to the priests: 'All the money of the hallowed things that is brought into the house of the LORD, in current money, the money of the persons for whom each man is rated, all the money that cometh into any man's heart to bring into the house of the LORD,
(See RSV)

2 Kings 12:6
But it was so, that in the three and twentieth year of king Jehoash the priests had not repaired the breaches of the house.
(See RSV)

2 Kings 12:7
Then king Jehoash called for Jehoiada the priest, and for the other priests, and said unto them: 'Why repair ye not the breaches of the house? now therefore take no longer money from them that bestow it upon you, but deliver it for the breaches of the house.'
(See RSV)

2 Kings 12:18
And Jehoash king Judah took all the hallowed things that Jehoshaphat, and Jehoram, and Ahaziah, his fathers, kings of Judah, had dedicated, and his own hallowed things, and all the gold that was found in the treasures of the house of the LORD, and of the king's house, and sent it to Hazael king of Aram; and he went away from Jerusalem.
(See RSV)

2 Kings 13:10
In the thirty and seventh year of Joash king of Judah began Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz to reign over Israel in Samaria, and reigned sixteen years.
(See RSV)

2 Kings 13:25
And Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz took again out of the hand of Ben-hadad the son of Hazael the cities which he had taken out of the hand of Jehoahaz his father by war. Three times did Joash smite him, and recovered the cities of Israel.
(See RSV)

2 Kings 14:8
Then Amaziah sent messengers to Jehoash, the son of Jehoahaz son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying: 'Come, let us look one another in the face.'
(See RSV)

2 Kings 14:9
And Jehoash the king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying: 'The thistle that was in Lebanon sent to the cedar that was in Lebanon, saying: Give thy daughter to my son to wife; and there passed by the wild beasts that were in Lebanon, and trod down the thistle.
(See RSV)

2 Kings 14:11
But Amaziah would not hear. So Jehoash king of Israel went up; and he and Amaziah king of Judah looked one another in the face at Beth-shemesh, which belongeth to Judah.
(See RSV)

2 Kings 14:13
And Jehoash king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Jehoash the son of Ahaziah, at Beth-shemesh, and came to Jerusalem, and broke down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim unto the corner gate, four hundred cubits.
(See RSV)

2 Kings 14:15
Now the rest of the acts of Jehoash which he did, and his might, and how he fought with Amaziah king of Judah, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
(See RSV)

2 Kings 14:16
And Jehoash slept with his fathers, and was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel; and Jeroboam his son reigned in his stead.
(See RSV)

2 Kings 14:17
And Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah lived after the death of Jehoash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel fifteen years.
(See RSV)

Jeho'ash (16 Occurrences)
Jeho'ash. Jehoash, Jeho'ash. Jehohanan . Multi-Version Concordance Jeho'ash
(16 Occurrences). 2 Kings 11:21 Jehoash was seven years old when he began to reign ...
/j/jeho'ash.htm - 11k

Jehohanan (9 Occurrences)

/j/jehohanan.htm - 12k

Jehoash (28 Occurrences)

/j/jehoash.htm - 32k

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus