Greek word · G2502

Ἰωσίας

iōsias

Josiah

A personal name from Hebrew Yōʾšiyyāhû. The meaning is disputed: perhaps 'YHWH supports' or 'YHWH heals'.

Appears 2 times in 2 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

Ἰωσείας (-σίας, Rec.), -ου, ὁ (Heb. יֹאשִׁיָּה),

Josiah: Matthew 1:10-11 †

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Matthew 1:10

Range of meaning

A personal name from Hebrew Yōʾšiyyāhû. The meaning is disputed: perhaps 'YHWH supports' or 'YHWH heals'.

Against the English

'Josias' in the KJV, 'Josiah' in modern versions. The difference is only the spelling.

Used elsewhere in the period

2 Kings 22–23; 2 Chronicles 34–35. During temple repairs the 'book of the law' was found, which led to a covenant renewal and a nationwide purge of idolatry (2 Kings 22:8–23:25). He was killed at Megiddo by Pharaoh Neco in 609 BC. 1 Esdras 1 and Sirach 49:1–3 praise him.

Where it appears

Matthew · 2

  1. Matthew 1:10 Ἰωσίαν· Josiah;

    Hezekiah was the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amon, Amon the father of Josiah,

    Here: Greek form of Hebrew Yōʾšiyyāhû. The meaning is uncertain, perhaps 'YHWH supports'. He was the great reforming king (around 640–609 BC). Kings says no king before or after him turned to YHWH as wholeheartedly (2 Kings 23:25).

  2. Matthew 1:11 Ἰωσίας Josiah

    and Josiah the father of Jeconiah and his brothers at the time of the exile to Babylon.

    Here: Josiah, king of Judah (about 640–609 BC). He was the great reforming king who cleansed the temple and renewed the covenant (2 Kings 22–23). He is the last king in Matthew's list before the collapse.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.