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.

Where else these words appear

“Athaliah” Hebrew H6271 · used in 17 verses

  • 2 Kings 8:26 Two and twenty years old was Ahaziah when he began to reign; and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Athaliah, the daughter of Omri king of Israel.
  • 2 Kings 11:14 And when she looked, behold, the king stood by a pillar, as the manner was, and the princes and the trumpeters by the king, and all the people of the land rejoiced, and blew with trumpets: and Athaliah rent her clothes, and cried, Treason, Treason.
  • 2 Chronicles 22:12 And he was with them hid in the house of God six years: and Athaliah reigned over the land.

“Jehoram” Hebrew H3088 · used in 26 verses

  • 1 Kings 22:50 And Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David his father: and Jehoram his son reigned in his stead.
  • 2 Kings 9:17 And there stood a watchman on the tower in Jezreel, and he spied the company of Jehu as he came, and said, I see a company. And Joram said, Take an horseman, and send to meet them, and let him say, Is it peace?
  • 2 Chronicles 21:3 And their father gave them great gifts of silver, and of gold, and of precious things, with fenced cities in Judah: but the kingdom gave he to Jehoram; because he was the firstborn.

“bedchamber” Hebrew H4296 · used in 29 verses

  • Genesis 47:31 And he said, Swear unto me. And he sware unto him. And Israel bowed himself upon the bed's head.
  • 2 Samuel 4:7 For when they came into the house, he lay on his bed in his bedchamber, and they smote him, and slew him, and beheaded him, and took his head, and gat them away through the plain all night.
  • 2 Kings 11:2 But Jehosheba, the daughter of king Joram, sister of Ahaziah, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him from among the king's sons which were slain; and they hid him, even him and his nurse, in the bedchamber from Athaliah, so that he was not slain.

“Ahaziah” Hebrew H274 · used in 30 verses

  • 1 Kings 22:40 So Ahab slept with his fathers; and Ahaziah his son reigned in his stead.
  • 2 Kings 9:16 So Jehu rode in a chariot, and went to Jezreel; for Joram lay there. And Ahaziah king of Judah was come down to see Joram.
  • 2 Kings 14:13 And Jehoash king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Jehoash the son of Ahaziah, at Bethshemesh, and came to Jerusalem, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim unto the corner gate, four hundred cubits.