Lexical Definition
יוֹתָם Yôwthâm (yo-thawm') Jotham N:N-M-P
from יְהֹוָה and תָּם; Jehovah (is) perfect
Jotham.
- § Jotham = "Jehovah is perfect"
- Jotham, the name of three Israelites
1) son of king Uzziah of Judah by Jerushah; king of Judah for 16 years and contemporary with Isaiah and king Pekah of Israel
2) son of Jahdai and a descendant of Caleb and Judah
3) youngest son of Gideon who escaped from the massacre of his brothers
See Greek: Ἰωάθαμ
Extended Information
- A man living before Israel's Monarchy, first mentioned at Jdg.9.5
- son of: Gideon (גִּדְעוֹן)
- brother of: Jether (יֶתֶר) and Abimelech (אֲבִימֶלֶךְ)
Brown-Driver-Briggs
יוֺתָם proper name, masculine (׳י is perfect) —
1. king of Judah, son Azarish (ᵐ5 Ἰωαθαμ, Ἰωαθαν, Ἰωναθαν) 2Kgs 15:5; 2Kgs 15:7; 2Kgs 15:30; 2Kgs 15:32; 2Kgs 15:36; 2Kgs 15:38; 2Kgs 16:1; 1Chr 3:12; 1Chr 5:17; 2Chr 26:21; 2Chr 26:23; 2Chr 27:1; 2Chr 27:6; 2Chr 27:7; 2Chr 27:9; Isa 1:1; Isa 7:1; Hos 1:1; Mic 1:1.
2. youngest son of Jerubbaal (Giddeon) Judg 9:5; Judg 9:7; Judg 9:21; Judg 9:57 (ᵐ5 ut above; Manuscripts Ἰωθαμ, Ἰωαθαμ).
3. a descendent of Caleb 1Chr 2:47 (ᵐ5 Ἰωαθαμ).
יֵשׁוּעַ see יְהוֺשׁוּעַ.
Brown-Driver-Briggs References
| Book | Refs |
|---|---|
| Judges | 9:5 · 9:7 · 9:21 · 9:57 |
| 2 Kings | 15:5 · 15:7 · 15:30 · 15:32 · 15:36 · 15:38 · 16:1 |
| 1 Chronicles | 2:47 · 3:12 · 5:17 |
| 2 Chronicles | 26:21 · 26:23 · 27:1 · 27:6 · 27:7 · 27:9 |
| Isaiah | 1:1 · 7:1 |
| Hosea | 1:1 |
| Micah | 1:1 |
Profile
Male • Son of Gideon • Youngest son of Gideon who escaped Abimelech's massacre
Man living before Israel's Monarchy
Jotham, the youngest son of Gideon, was the only one to escape when Abimelech killed his seventy brothers.
- A man living before Israel's Monarchy, first mentioned at Jdg.9.5;
- only referred to as Jotham יוֹתָם;
- son of Gideon גִּדְעוֹן;
- a brother of Jether יֶתֶר and Abimelech אֲבִימֶלֶךְ.
Jotham was the youngest of Gideon's seventy sons (Judges 9:5). After Gideon's death, Abimelech, another of Gideon's sons, conspired to become king and killed his seventy brothers on one stone (Judges 9:5). However, Jotham escaped by hiding (Judges 9:5).
Jotham went to Mount Gerizim and delivered a parable to the men of Shechem, warning them of the consequences of their actions in supporting Abimelech (Judges 9:7-21). In the parable, the trees sought to anoint a king over them, but the worthy trees (olive, fig, and vine) refused, while the bramble accepted and threatened to devour the cedars of Lebanon (Judges 9:8-15). Jotham then fled to Beer and remained there, fearing Abimelech (Judges 9:21).
Later, God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem, causing them to turn against each other (Judges 9:22-25). This ultimately led to Abimelech's downfall and death, which was seen as a fulfillment of Jotham's curse (Judges 9:57).
All entries for Jotham: יוֹתָם