2498. Iósaphat

Lexical Summary

Iósaphat: Jehoshaphat

Original Word: Ἰωσαφάτ
Part of Speech: Proper Noun, Indeclinable
Transliteration: Iósaphat
Pronunciation: yo-saf-at'
Phonetic Spelling: (ee-o-saf-at')
KJV: Josaphat
NASB: Jehoshaphat
Word Origin: [of Hebrew origin (H3092 (יְהוֹשָׁפָט - Jehoshaphat))]

1. Josaphat (i.e. Jehoshaphat), an Israelite

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

Josaphat.

Of Hebrew origin (Yhowshaphat); Josaphat (i.e. Jehoshaphat), an Israelite -- Josaphat.

see HEBREW Yhowshaphat

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
of Hebrew origin Yehoshaphat
Definition
Jehoshaphat, an Isr.
NASB Translation
Jehoshaphat (2).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 2498: Ἰωσαφάτ

Ἰωσαφάτ, ὁ, indeclinable (יְהושָׁפָט i. e. Jehovah judges), Jehoshaphat, king of Judah from (circa) to 889 (1 Kings 22:41ff; 2 Chronicles 17-20): Matthew 1:8.

Topical Lexicon

Entry Heading: Iōsaphát (Strong’s Greek 2498)

Occurrences in the New Testament

Matthew 1:8 twice records the name in the lineage of Jesus Christ: “Asa was the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah”. These two appearances, one with the movable Greek accent and one without, present the same individual—King Jehoshaphat of Judah—anchoring the royal Davidic succession that culminates in Messiah.

Old Testament Background

Jehoshaphat, son of Asa, reigned over the Southern Kingdom circa 872–848 BC (1 Kings 22:41). Scripture highlights at least four defining features of his rule:
• Spiritual reform: “His heart was devoted to the ways of the LORD” (2 Chronicles 17:6).
• Military strength tempered by dependence on God (2 Chronicles 17:12–19).
• Alliance with Ahab that led to prophetic rebuke (2 Chronicles 19:2).
• Triumphant reliance upon prayer and worship during the Moabite–Ammonite invasion (2 Chronicles 20:12–22).

Role in the Messianic Genealogy

By placing Jehoshaphat in Jesus’ family record, Matthew underscores three truths:

1. Covenant continuity—Jehoshaphat serves as a link in the unbroken Davidic promise (2 Samuel 7:12–16).
2. Grace within imperfection—Jehoshaphat’s mixed record (reforms yet ill‐advised alliances) mirrors the broader genealogy that mingles righteous and unrighteous ancestors, showcasing divine faithfulness rather than human merit.
3. Historical credibility—Matthew’s list aligns with the Chronicler’s royal line (1 Chronicles 3:10–12), testifying to the reliability of inspired history.

Theological Themes

Faith over fear: His memorable cry, “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You!” (2 Chronicles 20:12), exemplifies humble dependence that God honors.

Corporate worship as spiritual warfare: The singers leading Judah’s army (2 Chronicles 20:21–22) foreshadow the New Covenant pattern of overcoming “by the word of their testimony” (Revelation 12:11).

God’s sovereignty in leadership succession: Though human kings rise and fall, the Lord preserves His redemptive plan.

Ministerial Significance

• Leadership training: Jehoshaphat dispatched teachers with the Book of the Law (2 Chronicles 17:7–9), modeling Word‐centered discipleship for modern ministry.
• Cautionary wisdom: His alliance with wicked Ahab warns against expedient partnerships that compromise holiness (2 Corinthians 6:14).
• Prayer strategy for congregations: The king’s national fast and collective supplication illustrate how leaders can guide God’s people in crisis.

Practical Applications for Believers

1. Seek Scripture‐saturated reform before structural expansion.
2. Test every alliance by God’s revealed will, not short‐term gain.
3. Face overwhelming odds with worship, acknowledging that “the battle is not yours, but God’s” (2 Chronicles 20:15).

Related Scriptures

1 Kings 22; 2 Chronicles 17–20; Psalm 48:4–8; Revelation 19:11–16.

Forms and Transliterations

Ιωσαφατ Ἰωσαφάτ Ἰωσαφὰτ Iosaphat Iosaphát Iosaphàt Iōsaphat Iōsaphát Iōsaphàt

Englishman's Concordance

Matthew 1:8 N
GRK: ἐγέννησεν τὸν Ἰωσαφάτ Ἰωσαφὰτ δὲ
NAS: was the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat
KJV: Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat
INT: was father of Jehoshaphat Jehoshaphat moreover

Matthew 1:8 N
GRK: τὸν Ἰωσαφάτ Ἰωσαφὰτ δὲ ἐγέννησεν
NAS: of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father
KJV: Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram;
INT: Jehoshaphat Jehoshaphat moreover was father of

Strong's Greek 2498
2 Occurrences

Ἰωσαφάτ — 2 Occ.