But Jehoshabeath, the daughter of the king, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him from among the king's sons that were slain, and put him and his nurse in a bedchamber. So Jehoshabeath, the daughter of king Jehoram, the wife of Jehoiada the priest,(for she was the sister of Ahaziah,) hid him from Athaliah, so that she slew him not.

2 CHRONICLES 22:11KJV
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2 Chronicles 22:11 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 22:11 mean?

2 Chronicles 22:11 describes how Jehoshabeath, a daughter of King Jehoram and sister of King Ahaziah, secretly rescued Joash, Ahaziah’s young son, from being killed with the other royal children. She hid Joash and his nurse in a bedroom to protect him from Athaliah, who was killing the king’s heirs.

This verse takes place during a violent time in Judah’s royal family, when Athaliah, the queen mother, was killing off the royal descendants to secure her own power. Jehoshabeath, who was married to Jehoiada the priest, risked her life to save her nephew Joash. The verse highlights her courage and the secretive rescue that preserved the royal line.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 22:11

  • "Stole" (גָּנַב, ganav): This word means to take secretly or stealthily. The verse uses it to show that Jehoshabeath acted in secret, risking discovery, to save Joash from death.
  • "Bedchamber" (חֶדֶר, cheder): This word refers to an inner room or private chamber. The detail suggests that Joash was hidden in a very private, protected space, emphasizing the danger and secrecy involved.
  • "Hid" (סָתַר, satar): This word means to conceal or keep out of sight. Jehoshabeath’s action was not just a one-time rescue but involved ongoing concealment to keep Joash safe from Athaliah.

Why 2 Chronicles 22:11 matters

  • The verse clarifies that not all members of the royal family were complicit in Athaliah’s violence; Jehoshabeath acted bravely and independently to save a life.
  • It explains how the royal line of David survived a massacre, setting up Joash’s later role as king and preserving the promises made to David’s descendants.
  • The verse highlights the role of women in biblical history, showing Jehoshabeath as a key figure in God’s preservation of the royal family.