Athaliah
Athaliah, whose name means “Yahweh is exalted,” emerges in the biblical narrative as a figure of intrigue and treachery during a tumultuous period in the history of ancient Israel. Born into the royal lineage of Israel as the daughter of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel, she was raised amid the political machinations and idolatrous practices that characterized her parents’ reign in the northern kingdom. Through her marriage to Jehoram, son of King Jehoshaphat of Judah, Athaliah solidified a bond between the two rival kingdoms, albeit one tainted by the spiritual corruption of her upbringing.
In Hebrew, the name Athaliah is transliterated as עתליה ( Athalyah ) . The etymology of the name can be broken down as follows:
עתל ( Athal ),: This part of the name is derived from the Hebrew root עתל ( Athal ), which can have several possible meanings:
To be firm or enduring.
To remain or stay.
To continue or persevere.
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הָי ( Yah ): This is a common abbreviation for the divine name of God, Yahweh ( יהוה ), signifying “the Lord” or “Yahweh.”
When combined, the name Athaliah can be understood to mean “Yahweh is exalted” or “Yahweh has endured/stayed/persevered.” It reflects a sense of acknowledgement of God’s supremacy or endurance.
In Greek, the name Athaliah would be transliterated as Ἀθαλία ( Athalia ).
Athaliah, whose Hebrew name is עתליה ( pronounced ʻAtalya ), is believed to have been either the daughter of King Omri or of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel of Israel. She served as the queen consort of Judah through her marriage to King Jehoram, who was a descendant of King David. Eventually, she ascended to become the queen regnant of Judah, ruling from approximately 841 to 835 BCE.
In Greek, she is referred to as Γοθολία ( Gotholía ), while in Latin, she is known as Athalia.
Background and Dynasty of Athaliah
Athaliah was the daughter of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel of Israel, making her a member of the infamous Omride dynasty known for its apostasy and idolatry. She married King Jehoram of Judah, becoming the queen consort of the southern kingdom. After Jehoram’s death, their son Ahaziah ascended to the throne, continuing the line of Davidic kings.
And in the fifth year of Joram the son of Ahab king of Israel, Jehoshaphat being then king of Judah, Jehoram the son of Je hoshaphat king of Judah began to reign. 17 Thirty and two years old was he when he began to reign; and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem. 18 And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as did the house of Ahab: for the daughter of Ahab was his wife: and he did evil in the sight of the LORD. ( 2 Kings 8: 16-18 ).
Reign and Actions of Athaliah
Following Ahaziah’s death, Athaliah seized power and reigned as queen regnant over Judah. Her reign was marked by tyranny and idolatry, as she sought to establish the worship of Baal in Judah, following the practices of her parents’ kingdom, Israel. Athaliah’s actions led to the persecution of the followers of Yahweh and the desecration of the temple in Jerusalem.
He followed the ways of the kings of Israel, as the house of Ahab had done, for he married a daughter of Ahab. He did evil in the eyes of the LORD. ( 2 Chronicles 21:6 )
Ascension to the Throne
After Jehoram’s death, his son Ahaziah became king of Judah. However, Ahaziah’s reign was short-lived, as he was killed by Jehu, who was anointed as king of Israel by God’s command to put an end to the wickedness of Ahab’s family.
When Ahaziah king of Judah saw what had happened, he fled up the road to Beth Haggan. Jehu chased him, shouting, “Kill him too!” They wounded him in his chariot on the way up to Gur near Ibleam, but he escaped to Megiddo and died there. 28 His servants took him by chariot to Jerusalem and buried him with his ancestors in his tomb in the City of David. 29 ( In the eleventh year of Joram son of Ahab, Ahaziah had become king of Judah. )
( 2 Kings 9: 27-28 )
Usurpation of Athaliah
Upon hearing of her son’s death, Athaliah seized power in Judah. She killed all the royal heirs to secure her reign, except for Joash, who was hidden by his aunt Jehosheba, the wife of the high priest Jehoiada.
When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she proceeded to destroy the whole royal family. 2 But Jehosheba, the daughter of King Jehoram[a] and sister of Ahaziah, took Joash son of Ahaziah and stole him away from among the royal princes, who were about to be murdered. She put him and his nurse in a bedroom to hide him from Athaliah; so he was not killed. 3 He remained hidden with his nurse at the temple of the LORD for six years while Athaliah ruled the land. ( 2 Kings 11: 1-3 ).
Joash’s Hidden Years
Joash was hidden in the temple of the Lord for six years while Athaliah ruled Judah. During this time, Jehoiada, the high priest, protected and raised Joash in secrecy.
But Jehosheba, the daughter of King Jehoram, took Joash son of Ahaziah and stole him away from among the royal princes who were about to be murdered and put him and his nurse in a bedroom. Because Jehosheba, the daughter of King Jehoram and wife of the priest Jehoiada, was Ahaziah’s sister, she hid the child from Athaliah so she could not kill him. ( 2 Chronicles 22:11 )
Revolt Against Athaliah
After six years, Jehoiada orchestrated a plan to overthrow Athaliah’s rule and restore the rightful heir, Joash, to the throne. He gathered the Levites and the leaders of Judah to make a covenant and support Joash as king.
In the seventh year Jehoiada sent for the commanders of units of a hundred, the Carites and the guards and had them brought to him at the temple of the LORD. He made a covenant with them and put them under oath at the temple of the LORD. Then he showed them the king’s son. ( 2 Kings 11: 4-12 ).
Death of Athaliah
When Athaliah learned of the revolt, she rushed to the temple and protested against the anointing of Joash as king. However, she was captured and executed outside the temple.
When Athaliah heard the noise made by the guards and the people, she went to the
people at the temple of the LORD.
14 She looked and there was the king, standing by the
pillar, as the custom was. The officers and the trumpeters were beside the king, and all the
people of the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets. Then Athaliah tore her robes and
called out, “Treason! Treason!”
15 Jehoiada the priest ordered the commanders of units of a hundred, who were in charge
of the troops: “Bring her out between the ranks and put to the sword anyone who follows
her.” For the priest had said, “She must not be put to death in the temple of
the LORD.”
16 So they seized her as she reached the place where the horses enter the palace
grounds, and there she was put to death.
( 2 Kings 11: 13-16 ).
Joash’s Reign
After Athaliah’s demise, Joash was crowned king of Judah at the age of seven. Jehoiada guided him in leading the nation back to worshipping the Lord, and Joash ruled for forty years in Jerusalem.
17 Jehoiada then made a covenant between the LORD and the king and people that they
would be the LORD’s people. He also made a covenant between the king and the
people.
18 All the people of the land went to the temple of Baal and tore it down. They
smashed the altars and idols to pieces and killed Mattan the priest of Baal in front of the
altars.
Then Jehoiada the priest posted guards at the temple of the LORD.
19 He took with him the
commanders of hundreds, the Carites, the guards and all the people of the land, and
together they brought the king down from the temple of the LORD and went into the
palace, entering by way of the gate of the guards. The king then took his place on the
royal throne.
20 All the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was calm, because Athaliah
had been slain with the sword at the palace.
21 Joash was seven years old when he began to reign.
( 2 Kings 11: 17-21 ).
Message from Athaliah’s Life
The life of Athaliah serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked ambition and the consequences of forsaking divine principles. Her relentless pursuit of power and willingness to shed innocent blood for her own gain resulted in her downfall. Additionally, Athaliah’s actions highlight the importance of upholding the worship of Yahweh and remaining faithful to the covenant with God
Unchecked Ambition and Consequences
Athaliah’s unchecked ambition led to her downfall, demonstrating the biblical principle that pride and ambition without regard for God’s principles ultimately lead to destruction
“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” ( Proverbs 16:18 )
“The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride. Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.” ( Ecclesiastes 7: 8-9 )
Shedding Innocent Blood
Athaliah’s ruthless actions in shedding innocent blood, particularly the slaughter of her own grandchildren, stand in direct violation of God’s commandments and reflect the detestable nature of such deeds.
“There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood…” ( Proverbs 6: 16-17 )
“You shall not murder.” ( Exodus 20:13 )
Upholding Worship of Yahweh and Covenant Faithfulness
Athaliah’s reign stands in stark contrast to the biblical mandate to worship Yahweh alone and remain faithful to the covenant. Her disregard for these principles led to the spiritual and moral decay of the kingdom, emphasizing the importance of upholding God’s commands.
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” ( Deuteronomy 6:5 )
“Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord… But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” ( Joshua 24: 14-15 )
Athaliah’s story is a poignant reminder of the complexities of power and the moral choices individuals face in pursuit of it. Her reign, marked by tyranny and idolatry, stands as a testament to the enduring consequences of disobedience to divine principles. Her life reminds us of the importance of humility, righteousness, and fidelity to God’s commands