2 Chronicles 22:11 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jehoshabeath, Ahaziah's sister, rescues the infant Joash from Athaliah's massacre and hides him with his nurse.
The Context of 2 Chronicles 22:11
Ahaziah's sister hides his infant son Joash from Athaliah's purge.
What Does 2 Chronicles 22:11 Mean?
In the midst of slaughter, a single act of courage breaks through. Jehoshabeath—Ahaziah's sister and wife of the high priest Jehoiada—moves among the dead princes and extracts the youngest, infant Joash (Ahaziah's son). She places him and his nurse in a hidden bedchamber, removing him from Athaliah's immediate reach. Her actions, though hidden and dangerous, preserve the one heir Athaliah has overlooked or failed to find.
Jehoshabeath's rescue is enabled by her position: as the wife of the high priest, she has access to the temple and the authority to move freely. Her faithfulness to the covenant line—despite being Ahaziah's sister and thus connected to his wickedness—shows that individual choice matters. She chooses to protect the heir, and by this choice, she becomes an instrument of God's faithfulness to David's covenant.
2 Chronicles 22:11 in the Original Language
Genazim (בְדַר), 'bedchamber' — a private room; here a hiding place within the house of God.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Chronicles 22:11
What does 2 Chronicles 22:11 mean?
Jehoshabeath, Ahaziah's sister, rescues the infant Joash from Athaliah's massacre and hides him with his nurse.
What is the context of 2 Chronicles 22:11?
Ahaziah's sister hides his infant son Joash from Athaliah's purge.