Jump to: Hitchcock's • Smith's • ATS • ISBE • Easton's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia Introduction:Jeroboam, son of Nebat, is a significant figure in the history of Israel, known for his role as the first king of the northern kingdom after the division of the united monarchy. His account is primarily found in the books of 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles. Jeroboam's reign marks a pivotal moment in Israel's history, characterized by political ambition, religious innovation, and eventual apostasy. Background: Jeroboam was an Ephraimite from Zeredah, and his mother was Zeruah, a widow (1 Kings 11:26). He was a capable and industrious man, which led King Solomon to appoint him as the overseer of the labor force from the house of Joseph (1 Kings 11:28). However, Jeroboam's ambitions extended beyond his administrative duties. Prophecy and Rebellion: The prophet Ahijah the Shilonite played a crucial role in Jeroboam's rise to power. Ahijah met Jeroboam on the road and tore his new cloak into twelve pieces, giving ten to Jeroboam. This act symbolized the division of the kingdom and God's promise to give Jeroboam rule over ten tribes of Israel (1 Kings 11:29-31). The prophecy was a divine response to Solomon's idolatry, as God declared, "I will do this because they have forsaken Me and worshiped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, Chemosh the god of Moab, and Molech the god of the Ammonites" (1 Kings 11:33). Jeroboam's rebellion against Solomon was initially unsuccessful, and he fled to Egypt for refuge under King Shishak until Solomon's death (1 Kings 11:40). Reign as King: Upon Solomon's death, Jeroboam returned to Israel. The people, dissatisfied with Rehoboam, Solomon's son, and his harsh policies, turned to Jeroboam, making him king over the northern tribes (1 Kings 12:20). This event marked the division of the united kingdom into Israel in the north and Judah in the south. Religious Innovations: To consolidate his rule and prevent the people from returning to Jerusalem for worship, Jeroboam established alternative centers of worship in Bethel and Dan. He set up golden calves, declaring, "Here are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt" (1 Kings 12:28). This act was a direct violation of the first and second commandments and led Israel into idolatry. Jeroboam also appointed non-Levitical priests and instituted a festival similar to the Feast of Tabernacles, further distancing the northern kingdom from the religious practices ordained by God (1 Kings 12:31-33). Prophetic Condemnation: Jeroboam's actions drew the condemnation of prophets. A man of God from Judah prophesied against the altar at Bethel, predicting its destruction and the desecration of its priests' bones (1 Kings 13:1-3). Despite witnessing miraculous signs, Jeroboam did not repent, and his reign continued in disobedience to God. Legacy and Downfall: Jeroboam's legacy is marred by his role in leading Israel into sin. The phrase "the sins of Jeroboam" became synonymous with idolatry and apostasy in Israel's history. His dynasty was short-lived; his son Nadab succeeded him but was assassinated, leading to the rise of Baasha, who exterminated Jeroboam's house (1 Kings 15:25-30). Jeroboam reigned for 22 years, and his actions set a precedent for the northern kingdom's persistent idolatry, ultimately contributing to its downfall and exile. His account serves as a cautionary tale of the consequences of forsaking God's commandments for political expediency and personal ambition. Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary JeroboamSmith's Bible Dictionary Jeroboam(whose people are many).
ATS Bible Dictionary JeroboamThe first king of Israel, an Ephraimite, the son of Nebat. During the latter part of Solomon's reign, and while an officer under him, he plotted against him, and was obliged to flee into Egypt. On the death of Solomon, he was summoned by the ten tribes to return and present their demands to Rehoboam; and when these were refused, he was chosen king of the revolted tribes, B. C. 975. He reigned twentytwo years. The only notable act of his reign marked him with infamy, as the man "who made Israel to sin." It was the idolatrous establishment of golden calves at Bethel and Dan that the people might worship there and not at Jerusalem. He also superseded the sons of Aaron by priests chosen from "the lowest of the people." This unprincipled but effective measure, in which he was followed by all the kings of Israel, was a confession of weakness as well as of depravity. Neither miracles nor warnings, nor the premature death of Abijah his son could dissuade him. He was at war with Judah all his days, and with the brief reign of Nadab his son the doomed family became extinct, 1 Kings 12:1-14:20 2 Chronicles 10:1-19 13:1-22. JEROBOAM SECOND, the thirteenth king of Israel, son and successor of Joash, B. C. 825 reigned forty-one years. He followed up his father's successes over the Syrians, took Hamath and Damascus, and all the region east f the Jordan down to the Dead Sea, and advanced to its highest point the prosperity of that kingdom. Yet his long reign added heavily to the guilt of Israel, by increased luxury, oppression, and vice. After him, the kingdom rapidly declined, and his own dynasty perished within a year, 2 Kings 14:23-29 15:8-12. See also the contemporary prophets, particularly Amos and Hosea. Easton's Bible Dictionary Increase of the people. (1.) The son of Nebat (1 Kings 11:26-39), "an Ephrathite," the first king of the ten tribes, over whom he reigned twenty-two years (B.C. 976-945). He was the son of a widow of Zereda, and while still young was promoted by Solomon to be chief superintendent of the "burnden", i.e., of the bands of forced labourers. Influenced by the words of the prophet Ahijah, he began to form conspiracies with the view of becoming king of the ten tribes; but these having been discovered, he fled to Egypt (1 Kings 11:29-40), where he remained for a length of time under the protection of Shishak I. On the death of Solomon, the ten tribes, having revolted, sent to invite him to become their king. The conduct of Rehoboam favoured the designs of Jeroboam, and he was accordingly proclaimed "king of Israel" (1 Kings 12:1-20). He rebuilt and fortified Shechem as the capital of his kingdom. He at once adopted means to perpetuate the division thus made between the two parts of the kingdom, and erected at Dan and Bethel, the two extremities of his kingdom, "golden calves," which he set up as symbols of Jehovah, enjoining the people not any more to go up to worship at Jerusalem, but to bring their offerings to the shrines he had erected. Thus he became distinguished as the man "who made Israel to sin." This policy was followed by all the succeeding kings of Israel. While he was engaged in offering incense at Bethel, a prophet from Judah appeared before him with a warning message from the Lord. Attempting to arrest the prophet for his bold words of defiance, his hand was "dried up," and the altar before which he stood was rent asunder. At his urgent entreaty his "hand was restored him again" (1 Kings 13:1-6, 9; Comp. 2 Kings 23:15); but the miracle made no abiding impression on him. His reign was one of constant war with the house of Judah. He died soon after his son Abijah (1 Kings 14:1-18). (2.) Jeroboam II., the son and successor of Jehoash, and the fourteenth king of Israel, over which he ruled for forty-one years, B.C. 825-784 (2 Kings 14:23). He followed the example of the first Jeroboam in keeping up the worship of the golden calves (2 Kings 14:24). His reign was contemporary with those of Amaziah (2 Kings 14:23) and Uzziah (15:1), kings of Judah. He was victorious over the Syrians (13:4; 14:26, 27), and extended Israel to its former limits, from "the entering of Hamath to the sea of the plain" (14:25; Amos 6:14). His reign of forty-one years was the most prosperous that Israel had ever known as yet. With all this outward prosperity, however, iniquity widely prevailed in the land (Amos 2:6-8; 4:1; 6:6; Hosea 4:12-14). The prophets Hosea (1:1), Joel (3:16; Amos 1:1, 2), Amos (1:1), and Jonah (2 Kings 14:25) lived during his reign. He died, and was buried with his ancestors (14:29). He was succeeded by his son Zachariah (q.v.). His name occurs in Scripture only in 2 Kings 13:13; 14:16, 23, 27, 28, 29; 15:1, 8; 1 Chronicles 5:17; Hosea 1:1; Amos 1:1; 7:9, 10, 11. In all other passages it is Jeroboam the son of Nebat that is meant. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia JEROBOAMjer-o-bo'-am (yarobh`am; Septuagint Hieroboam, usually assumed to have been derived from riyb and `am, and signifying "the people contend," or, "he pleads the people's cause"): The name was borne by two kings of Israel. Strong's Hebrew 5028. Nebat -- father of Jeroboam... father of Jeroboam. Transliteration: Nebat Phonetic Spelling: (neb-awt') Short Definition: Nebat. ... From nabat; regard; Nebat, the father of Jeroboam I -- Nebat. ... /hebrew/5028.htm - 6k 6871. Tseruah -- mother of Jeroboam 3379. Yarobam -- "the people increase," the name of two Israelites ... Library Jeroboam Jeroboam Concerning Jeroboam King of Israel and Jonah the Prophet; and How ... Of Jeroboam, who Profaned the People Put under Him by the Impiety ... Concerning the Death of a Son of Jeroboam. How Jeroboam was Beaten ... How, Upon the Death of Solomon the People Forsook his Son Rehoboam ... How Solomon Grew Rich, and Fell Desperately in Love with Women and ... The History of Rehoboam A Ruler who Wronged his People The Rending of the Kingdom Thesaurus Jeroboam (96 Occurrences)... The conduct of Rehoboam favoured the designs of Jeroboam, and he was accordingly proclaimed "king of Israel" (1 Kings 12:1-20). ... /j/jeroboam.htm - 62k Jeroboam's (7 Occurrences) Nebat (25 Occurrences) Ahi'jah (22 Occurrences) Shishak (6 Occurrences) Abi'jah (26 Occurrences) Shilonite (7 Occurrences) Shi'lonite (6 Occurrences) Ahijah (23 Occurrences) Baasha (26 Occurrences) Resources Who was King Jeroboam in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the story of Rehoboam and Jeroboam? | GotQuestions.org What was the sin of Jeroboam? | GotQuestions.org Jeroboam: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Jeroboam (96 Occurrences)1 Kings 11:26 1 Kings 11:28 1 Kings 11:29 1 Kings 11:31 1 Kings 11:40 1 Kings 12:2 1 Kings 12:3 1 Kings 12:12 1 Kings 12:15 1 Kings 12:20 1 Kings 12:25 1 Kings 12:26 1 Kings 12:32 1 Kings 13:1 1 Kings 13:4 1 Kings 13:33 1 Kings 13:34 1 Kings 14:1 1 Kings 14:2 1 Kings 14:4 1 Kings 14:5 1 Kings 14:6 1 Kings 14:7 1 Kings 14:10 1 Kings 14:11 1 Kings 14:13 1 Kings 14:14 1 Kings 14:16 1 Kings 14:17 1 Kings 14:19 1 Kings 14:20 1 Kings 14:30 1 Kings 15:1 1 Kings 15:6 1 Kings 15:7 1 Kings 15:9 1 Kings 15:25 1 Kings 15:29 1 Kings 15:30 1 Kings 15:34 1 Kings 16:2 1 Kings 16:3 1 Kings 16:7 1 Kings 16:19 1 Kings 16:26 1 Kings 16:31 1 Kings 21:22 1 Kings 22:52 2 Kings 3:3 2 Kings 9:9 2 Kings 10:29 2 Kings 10:31 2 Kings 13:2 2 Kings 13:6 2 Kings 13:11 2 Kings 13:13 2 Kings 14:16 2 Kings 14:23 2 Kings 14:24 2 Kings 14:27 2 Kings 14:28 2 Kings 14:29 2 Kings 15:1 2 Kings 15:8 2 Kings 15:9 2 Kings 15:18 2 Kings 15:24 2 Kings 15:28 2 Kings 17:21 2 Kings 17:22 2 Kings 23:15 2 Kings 23:16 1 Chronicles 5:17 2 Chronicles 9:29 2 Chronicles 10:2 2 Chronicles 10:3 2 Chronicles 10:12 2 Chronicles 10:15 2 Chronicles 11:4 2 Chronicles 11:14 2 Chronicles 12:15 2 Chronicles 13:1 2 Chronicles 13:2 2 Chronicles 13:3 2 Chronicles 13:4 2 Chronicles 13:6 2 Chronicles 13:8 2 Chronicles 13:13 2 Chronicles 13:15 2 Chronicles 13:19 2 Chronicles 13:20 Hosea 1:1 Amos 1:1 Amos 7:9 Amos 7:10 Amos 7:11 Subtopics Jeroboam: First King of Israel After the Revolt: Ahijah's Prophecy Concerning Jeroboam: First King of Israel After the Revolt: Death of Jeroboam: First King of Israel After the Revolt: Flees to Egypt to Escape from Solomon Jeroboam: First King of Israel After the Revolt: Hand of, Paralyzed Jeroboam: First King of Israel After the Revolt: His War With Abijah Jeroboam: First King of Israel After the Revolt: His Wars With Rehoboam Jeroboam: First King of Israel After the Revolt: Promoted by Solomon Jeroboam: First King of Israel After the Revolt: Subverts the Religion of Moses Jeroboam: His Wife Sent to Consult the Prophet Ahijah Concerning Her Child Jeroboam: King of Israel: Death of Jeroboam: King of Israel: Genealogies Written During his Reign Jeroboam: King of Israel: Makes Conquest of Hamath and Damascus Jeroboam: King of Israel: Prophecies Concerning Jeroboam: King of Israel: Successor to Jehoash Jeroboam: King of Israel: Wicked Reign of Jeroboam: Recalled from Egypt by the Ten Tribes on Account of Disaffection Toward Rehoboam Related Terms |