Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

ATHALIAH

(Heb. ʿăṯalyâ, ʿăṯalyāhû)

Queen of Judah (ca. 842-837 b.c.e.). Her lineage is uncertain; identified as the daughter of Ahab and his wife (possibly Queen Jezebel). Some scholars say she may have been Omri’s daughter and therefore Ahab’s sister (2 Kgs. 8:18; 2 Chr. 22:2). Her name is the oldest documented use of a female name with the theophoric component “Yahweh.”

Athaliah married Jehoram, crown prince of Judah and son of Jehoshaphat. While it may have been a good move politically because it joined the houses of Judah and Israel, the marriage was disastrous spiritually for Judah. When Jehoram was 32, he succeeded to the throne and Athaliah became queen. Jehoram’s first action was to murder all his brothers and other princes (2 Chr. 21:4). Athaliah may have supported or even more likely instigated these deeds.

Athaliah introduced the worship of Baal Melqart in Jerusalem during her husband’s reign (2 Kgs. 8:16-18). Like her mother Jezebel, she was fanatically devoted to Baal Melqart. The Chronicler holds her responsible for her son Ahaziah’s godlessness (2 Chr. 22:3), reporting that her sons broke into the temple of God and used its sacred objects for Baal (24:7).

Jehoram died fighting the Edomites (2 Kgs. 8:24), and their son Ahaziah became king, reigning for one year (v. 26). Ahaziah went to Jezreel to visit Joram, Ahab’s son. Jehu of Israel met the two kings there, killing Joram and mortally wounding Ahaziah, who then died at Megiddo (2 Kgs. 9:27). Athaliah was now a very powerful queen mother and widow; only her relatives — some of them her grandchildren — stood between her and the throne. Ambition and fanaticism spurred Athaliah to massacre the royal household, thereby almost eradicating the Davidic dynasty (2 Kgs. 11:1). Ahaziah’s infant son Joash and his nurse were hidden and saved by Jehosheba, Joash’s aunt (2 Kgs. 11:2 = 2 Chr. 22:11).

Believing all contenders to the throne were dead, Athaliah had herself proclaimed sovereign. For six years Jehoiada the priest and his wife Jehosheba concealed Joash. In the seventh year, Jehoiada instigated a carefully planned revolution by the priests and military. He brought Joash, who was well protected with armed guards, out of the temple. The lad was presented a copy of the covenant, anointed, and acclaimed king (2 Kgs. 11:12). When Athaliah heard the shouting, she rushed to the temple. Taking in the situation immediately, she tore her robes and cried out, “Treason! Treason!” — ironically and appropriately the only words she utters in the account (2 Chr. 23:13).

Athaliah was summarily led out to the Horse Gate and killed (2 Kgs. 11:15-16; 2 Chr. 23:15). After her death cult worship was purified, the temple of Baal destroyed, and its priest executed (2 Kgs. 11:18 = 2 Chr. 23:17).

2. The son of Jeroham and chief of a prominent Benjaminite family dwelling in Jerusalem (1 Chr. 8:26).

3. The father of Jeshaiah, who returned from Babylon along with Ezra and 70 men. He was a member of the family of Elam (Ezra 8:7). 1 Esdr. 8:33 gives his name as Gotholiah.

Robin Gallaher Branch

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

ATHALIAH

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)