JOAS (HEB. JŌ'ĀF AND JĒHŌ'ĀF; GREEK: 'IŌZŌZ). - 1. King of Judah (836-797), son of Ahaziah. Barely a year old, he was snatched from the massacre carried out by Athaliah, hidden and raised in the house of the high priest Jehoiada (v.). After 6 years, with careful precaution, the latter proclaimed him king, on a Sabbath in the Temple, ordering the killing of Athaliah (2 Kings 11; 2 Chron. 22:10 ff.; 23). I. reigned ca. 39 years; he was subject to the beneficial influence of the pious Jehoiada. He took a personal interest in the repair of the Temple, which had been damaged by Athaliah (2 Kings 12:1-17; 2 Chron. 24:1-14). Toward the end of his reign, after Jehoiada's death, he allowed himself to be influenced by the syncretist party; and he had the inspired Zechariah, son or nephew of Jehoiada, killed in the court of the Temple, where the latter rebuked the people for their renewed unfaithfulness toward Yahweh (2 Chron. 24:15-22; Mt. 23:35; Lk. 11:51). The following year (798), he was humiliated by Hazael; I. freed himself from him by giving him the entire treasury of the Temple and of the palace. Shortly afterward he was killed in his bed by two courtiers who avenged the blood of Zechariah (2 Kings 12:18-22; 2 Chron. 24:23-26).
2. King of Israel (798-783). Under him, the kingdom continued the ascent just begun by Jehoahaz. Assyria, under Adad-nirari III, was pressing on Damascus; I. took advantage of this: he defeated Ben-hadad III three times, according to the prophecy of the dying Elisha (2 Kings 13:14-19), reconquering the cities taken from Israel by Hazael, at least those on this side of the Jordan (2 Kings 13:10-13, 22-25). Challenged by Amaziah, perhaps over a question of family prestige, he defeated him at Beth-shemesh and took him prisoner; he entered Jerusalem, dismantled ca. 200 m. of the northern walls; he took treasures and hostages, released Amaziah and returned victorious to Samaria (2 Kings 14:8-16; 2 Chron. 25:17-24).
The same name was borne by: 3. The father of Gideon, of the family of Abiezer, tribe of Manasseh (Judg. 6:11; 7:14; 8:13, 29, 32). A lukewarm worshiper of Baal, he defended his son when he tore down the idol of Baal (Judg. 6:29 ff.). - 4. The son of King Ahab; the latter, setting out toward Ramoth, handed over to him the prophet Micaiah, so that he might keep him in chains (1 Kings 22:26; 2 Chron. 18:25). The Amelech of the Vulgate is an erroneous translation of ham-melech, son "of the king." - 5. A descendant of Shelah, of the tribe of Judah (1 Chron. 4:22). The Vulgate (Securus) considered it a common noun. He led a victorious raid against Moab. - 6. A Benjaminite, one of the valiant men who reached David at Ziklag (1 Chron. 12:3). - 7. Administrator of David, for the stores of oil (1 Chron. 27:28).
Bibliography6 works
Francesco Spadafora