Athaliah
femaleDivided MonarchyMeaning: “The LORD is exalted (ironically)”
The daughter of Ahab and Jezebel who seized the throne of Judah, massacred the royal heirs, and reigned six years until she was overthrown for the rescued boy-king Joash.
Biography
Athaliah, daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, is the only woman to reign over Judah in her own right — and she did so by mass murder, nearly extinguishing the line of David through which the Messiah was promised to come.
Seizing the throne
When her son Ahaziah, king of Judah, was killed, Athaliah "arose and destroyed all the seed royal" — her own grandchildren — and took the throne herself (2 Kings 11:1). For six years she ruled, perpetuating the idolatry of her parents' house.
The hidden heir
Unknown to her, the infant prince Joash had been rescued by his aunt Jehosheba and hidden in the temple for six years under the care of the priest Jehoiada (2 Kings 11:2–3).
Overthrow
In the seventh year Jehoiada crowned the seven-year-old Joash, and the people rejoiced. Athaliah, crying "Treason, Treason!", was led out and put to death, and Baal's temple was torn down (2 Kings 11:14–18). Her downfall preserved the Davidic line at the brink of extinction.
Life Timeline
Seizes the throne by killing the royal heirs of Judah
Overthrown when Joash is crowned; put to death
On the Bible timeline
Athaliah belongs to the The Divided Monarchy era (c. 930 – 586 BC).
- c. 930 BCThe Kingdom Divides
- 722 BCThe Fall of Samaria
- 586 BCThe Fall of Jerusalem
Family Tree
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Themes & lessons from Athaliah
Biblical themes that run through the passages where Athaliah appears.
People they appear with
Scripture Appearances
15 verses in 2 books2 Kings7 verses
2 Kings 8:26
Two and twenty years old was Ahaziah when he began to reign; and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Athaliah, the daughter of Omri king of Israel. daughter: or, granddaughter
2 Kings 11:1
And when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the seed royal. seed: Heb. seed of the kingdom
2 Kings 11:2
But Jehosheba, the daughter of king Joram, sister of Ahaziah, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him from among the king's sons which were slain; and they hid him, even him and his nurse, in the bedchamber from Athaliah, so that he was not slain.
2 Kings 11:3
And he was with her hid in the house of the LORD six years. And Athaliah did reign over the land.
2 Kings 11:13
And when Athaliah heard the noise of the guard and of the people, she came to the people into the temple of the LORD.
2 Kings 11:14
And when she looked, behold, the king stood by a pillar, as the manner was, and the princes and the trumpeters by the king, and all the people of the land rejoiced, and blew with trumpets: and Athaliah rent her clothes, and cried, Treason, Treason.
2 Kings 11:20
And all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was in quiet: and they slew Athaliah with the sword beside the king's house.
2 Chronicles8 verses
2 Chronicles 22:2
Forty and two years old was Ahaziah when he began to reign, and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Athaliah the daughter of Omri.
2 Chronicles 22:10
But when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the seed royal of the house of Judah.
2 Chronicles 22:11
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.
2 Chronicles 22:12
And he was with them hid in the house of God six years: and Athaliah reigned over the land.
2 Chronicles 23:12
Now when Athaliah heard the noise of the people running and praising the king, she came to the people into the house of the LORD:
2 Chronicles 23:13
And she looked, and, behold, the king stood at his pillar at the entering in, and the princes and the trumpets by the king: and all the people of the land rejoiced, and sounded with trumpets, also the singers with instruments of musick, and such as taught to sing praise. Then Athaliah rent her clothes, and said, Treason, Treason. Treason: Heb. Conspiracy
2 Chronicles 23:21
And all the people of the land rejoiced: and the city was quiet, after that they had slain Athaliah with the sword.
2 Chronicles 24:7
For the sons of Athaliah, that wicked woman, had broken up the house of God; and also all the dedicated things of the house of the LORD did they bestow upon Baalim.
Frequently asked about Athaliah
Who was Athaliah in the Bible?
The daughter of Ahab and Jezebel who seized the throne of Judah, massacred the royal heirs, and reigned six years until she was overthrown for the rescued boy-king Joash.
What does the name Athaliah mean?
The name Athaliah means “The LORD is exalted (ironically)”.
What did Athaliah do in the Bible?
Athaliah served as queen of judah.
Who were Athaliah's children?
Athaliah's children include Ahaziah Of Judah.
Who were Athaliah's parents?
Athaliah was the child of Ahab, Jezebel.
Where does Athaliah appear in the Bible?
Athaliah is mentioned 15 times across 2 books: 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles.
What can we learn from Athaliah?
The story of Athaliah touches on themes of athaliah, kings, fatherless, music — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Athaliah's life.
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