Overview
The Bible addresses athaliah across 15 verses, drawn from the Old Testament. These passages cluster most in 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles. Closely related themes include Kings, Fatherless, Music and Nurse. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Athaliah and Jehoiada.
Key Bible verses about athaliah
Old Testament
2 Kings
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
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.
And he was with her hid in the house of the LORD six years. And Athaliah did reign over the land.
And he brought forth the king's son, and put the crown upon him, and gave him the testimony; and they made him king, and anointed him; and they clapped their hands, and said, God save the king. God: Heb. Let the king live
And when Athaliah heard the noise of the guard and of the people, she came to the people into the temple of the LORD.
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.
But Jehoiada the priest commanded the captains of the hundreds, the officers of the host, and said unto them, Have her forth without the ranges: and him that followeth her kill with the sword. For the priest had said, Let her not be slain in the house of the LORD.
And they laid hands on her; and she went by the way by the which the horses came into the king's house: and there was she slain.
2 Chronicles
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.
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.
And he was with them hid in the house of God six years: and Athaliah reigned over the land.
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:
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
Then Jehoiada the priest brought out the captains of hundreds that were set over the host, and said unto them, Have her forth of the ranges: and whoso followeth her, let him be slain with the sword. For the priest said, Slay her not in the house of the LORD.
So they laid hands on her; and when she was come to the entering of the horse gate by the king's house, they slew her there.
People in the Bible and athaliah
Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.
In the Bible dictionary
Studying athaliah for yourself
- Begin with 2 Kings 11:1, then read the passages below in canonical order.
- Compare how 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles each treat the theme.
- Consider the lives of Athaliah and Jehoiada and how their stories intersect with it.
- Widen the study to related themes: Kings, Fatherless, Music and Nurse.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about athaliah?
The Bible addresses athaliah across 15 verses, drawn from the Old Testament. These passages cluster most in 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles. Closely related themes include Kings, Fatherless, Music and Nurse. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Athaliah and Jehoiada.
How many Bible verses are about athaliah?
The Bible references athaliah in 15 verses (King James Version).
Where does the Bible first mention athaliah?
In canonical order, the first of these passages is 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”
Which people in the Bible are associated with athaliah?
Athaliah and Jehoiada.
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