Lexical Summary Yedidah: Yedidah Original Word: יְדִידָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Jedidah Feminine of ydiyd; beloved; Jedidah, an Israelitess -- Jedidah. see HEBREW ydiyd NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as yadid Definition "beloved," mother of King Josiah NASB Translation Jedidah (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs יְדִידָה proper name, feminine (beloved) mother of Josiah 2 Kings 22:1; ᵐ5 Ιεδεια, ᵐ5L Ιεδιδα. Topical Lexicon Name SignificanceThe name יְדִידָה (Yedidah, “Beloved”) conveys covenant affection and intimacy. By attaching such a title to the mother of King Josiah, Scripture subtly underscores the central role of steadfast, God-honoring love in preserving a remnant during one of Judah’s darkest periods. Singular Biblical Reference 2 Kings 22:1: “Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years. His mother’s name was Jedidah daughter of Adaiah; she was from Bozkath.” Historical Setting Jedidah lived during the closing decades of the seventh century BC, a time when the sins of Manasseh and Amon had nearly sealed Judah’s fate (2 Kings 21:10–16). Josiah ascended the throne as a child, surrounded by idolatry, political uncertainty, and looming Assyrian decline. Against that backdrop, the inspired writer singles out Jedidah by name, hinting that the early formation of the boy-king owed much to his mother’s godly character and influence. Geographical Roots Bozkath lay in the Shephelah of Judah (Joshua 15:39), distant from the royal court. Jedidah’s provincial origin suggests that Josiah’s formative years were shaped outside the corrupt atmosphere of Jerusalem, reinforcing the possibility that a comparatively untouched milieu—and a faithful mother—nurtured the tender heart later responsive to the rediscovered Book of the Law. Maternal Legacy and Spiritual Influence Scripture often pairs kings with their mothers when evaluating covenant faithfulness (for example, 1 Kings 15:2; 2 Kings 12:1–2). Jedidah’s appearance at the outset of the narrative that chronicles one of the greatest reforms in Judah’s history (2 Kings 22–23) hints that her guidance paralleled the pattern seen in Lois and Eunice with Timothy (2 Timothy 1:5). While the text is silent about her specific actions, the fruit of her labor is evident in a son who “turned neither to the right nor to the left” (2 Kings 22:2). Connection to Other “Beloved” Names Yedidah shares its root with יוֹדִידְיָהוּ (Yedidyahu, “Jedidiah”), the prophetic name given to Solomon (2 Samuel 12:25). Both names celebrate divine affection, linking Josiah’s godly reign to Solomon’s early promise and highlighting continuity in the Davidic line despite intervening apostasy. The recurrence of this root (“beloved”) culminates in the Father’s declaration over Jesus: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17), revealing the ultimate embodiment of God’s covenant love. Theological Themes 1. Covenant Preservation: Jedidah’s presence affirms that God preserves a faithful lineage even in the midst of national rebellion. Practical Ministry Application • Encourage Parents: Teach that consistent, Scripture-saturated nurture can shape leaders God will later use for revival. Christological Reflection Josiah foreshadows Christ as a reforming king who purges idolatry and restores true worship (2 Kings 23). The beloved mother behind Josiah subtly prefigures Mary, the favored one who bore the ultimate Beloved. Thus, Jedidah’s brief cameo participates in the unfolding account that leads to the Messiah, demonstrating how God weaves individual faithfulness into His redemptive tapestry. Forms and Transliterations יְדִידָ֥ה ידידה yə·ḏî·ḏāh yediDah yəḏîḏāhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Kings 22:1 HEB: וְשֵׁ֣ם אִמּ֔וֹ יְדִידָ֥ה בַת־ עֲדָ֖יָה NAS: name [was] Jedidah the daughter KJV: name [was] Jedidah, the daughter INT: name and his mother's Jedidah the daughter of Adaiah 1 Occurrence |
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