King of Judah
Jotham, King of Judah
JOH-thum · Also called Jotham
Uzziah's son, a generally faithful king remembered for continued building projects and a military victory that brought tribute from the Ammonites, though the high places remained in use throughout his reign.
Life and work
Jotham had effectively governed Judah as regent while his father Uzziah was isolated by leprosy, and formally became king at twenty-five, reigning sixteen years in Jerusalem; the text says he did what was right, as his father had, but the people still sacrificed at the high places (2 Kings 15:32-35; 2 Chronicles 27:1-2).
He built the upper gate of the temple and undertook substantial construction on the wall of Ophel, along with towns, towers, and fortresses in the hill country and forests of Judah (2 Chronicles 27:3-4).
Jotham fought and defeated the Ammonites, who paid him tribute in silver, wheat, and barley for three years, and the text summarizes that 'Jotham became mighty, because he ordered his ways before the LORD his God' (2 Chronicles 27:5-6). Toward the end of his reign, Rezin of Aram and Pekah of Israel began the hostile pressure against Judah that would intensify under his son Ahaz (2 Kings 15:37).
- Occupation
- King of Judah
- Places
- Jerusalem
Extra-biblical evidence
No confirmed extra-biblical inscription naming Jotham has been identified, though a Judean seal impression reading 'belonging to Jotham' has been proposed by some researchers as a possible reference to him; the identification is not firmly established.
Scripture references
- 2 Kings 15:32-38 — Reign summary
- 2 Chronicles 27:1-9 — Building projects and victory over the Ammonites
- Matthew 1:9 — Named in Jesus's genealogy
Further reading
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