Jehoaddan

Jehoaddan is a female name of Hebrew origin found in the Old Testament, meaning "Yahweh delights" from the elements yeho, a shortened form of the divine name Yahweh, and ʿaḏan, meaning "to delight." The name appears in 2 Chronicles 24:26 and 2 Kings 12:1 as the name of the wife of King Joash (or Jehoash) of Judah, and mother of King Amaziah. Her name is sometimes spelled Yeho'addan (Biblical Hebrew: יְהוֹעַדָּן).

Etymology

The first element of Jehoaddan, yeho-, is a common abbreviated form of the Tetragrammaton YHWH, the personal name of the God of Israel, derived from the Hebrew root hawa meaning "to be" or "to exist." The second element comes from the root ʿaḏan, which carries the sense of "luxury, delight, or pleasure." Combined, the name expresses the concept of God taking pleasure in someone, possibly reflecting the hopes of Jehoaddan's parents.

Notable Bearers

Jehoaddan is known solely from the Hebrew Bible, specifically in the Books of Kings and Chronicles, where she is briefly mentioned as the mother of Amaziah. According to these texts, Joash took Jehoaddan as his wife, and when Jehoash died, Amaziah succeeded to the throne at the age of twenty-five (2 Kings 14:1-2). Hers is one of several maternal names recorded for monarchs of Judah, emphasizing the importance of maternal lineage in kingship.

Cultural Significance

Jehoaddan appears as a minor figure in the biblical narrative, with most details of her life omitted. Her inclusion in the Hebrew Bible suggests that maternal names were valued historical records. The name itself reflects the yeho-theophoric element prevalent in ancient Judahite names, such as Jehoshaphat, Jehoram, and Jehu. Today, Jehoaddan is predominantly used by biblical scholars and in Christian or Jewish naming contexts, often chosen for its ancient roots and theological meaning.

• Meaning: "Yahweh delights"
• Origin: Hebrew (Yeho'addan), via English usage
• Type: First name (feminine)
• Biblical Reference: Wife of King Joash of Judah (2 Kings 12:1, 2 Chronicles 24:26)
• Usage: Historical (Old Testament), rare in modern times