יֹאשִׁיָּהוּ
Yoshiyahu / Josiah
“God heals”
Josiah (יֹאשִׁיָּהוּ, Yoshiyahu) is a Hebrew boy's name meaning “god heals,” pronounced “yo-shi-YA-hu.” From the Hebrew elements related to יָשָׁה (yashah, a form meaning 'to heal/support') + יָהוּ (Yahu, divine name). Some scholars interpret it as 'YHWH heals' or 'YHWH supports/sustains.' Others connect it to אֵשׁ (esh, 'fire') + יָהוּ (Yahu) = 'fire of YHWH.'
| Hebrew | יֹאשִׁיָּהוּ |
|---|---|
| Transliteration | Yoshiyahu |
| English Name | Josiah |
| Meaning | God heals |
| Pronunciation | yo-shi-YA-hu |
| Gender | Boy |
| Category | Male Biblical Names |
| Variants | Yoshiyahu, Josias, Josías |
| Key Scripture | 2 Kings 22:2 |
Josiah became king of Judah at eight years old, inheriting a nation steeped in idolatry after the disastrous reigns of his father Amon and grandfather Manasseh. By sixteen, he began seeking God; by twenty, he started purging the land of pagan altars; and at twenty-six, during Temple renovations, his workers discovered a lost scroll of the Torah — and everything changed. When the Book of the Law was read aloud to the young king, he tore his robes in anguish, realizing how far Judah had strayed. His name, meaning 'God heals,' became prophetic: through Josiah, God healed an entire generation's spiritual amnesia.
Key Scripture: 2 Kings 22:2
“He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and followed completely the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left.”
What Does Josiah Mean in Hebrew?
The name יֹאשִׁיָּהוּ (Yoshiyahu) is commonly interpreted as containing the divine element יָהוּ (Yahu) with a root related to healing or sustaining. The theophoric suffix makes it a statement about God's character: 'YHWH heals' or 'YHWH sustains.' The name was prophetically fitting for a king who healed Judah's spiritual wounds.
Josiah in the Bible
Josiah is one of only two kings of Judah described with unreserved praise: 'He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and followed completely the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left' (2 Kings 22:2). His reforms included destroying pagan shrines, reinstituting Passover, and centralizing worship in Jerusalem.
Cultural Context & Modern Usage
Josiah's rediscovery of the Torah scroll (likely an early form of Deuteronomy) is considered one of the pivotal events in the history of Judaism. It marks the moment when written Scripture became the central authority for Israel's religious life — the foundation of what would become 'the people of the Book.'
Josiah has risen dramatically in popularity, reaching the top 50 boys' names in the United States. Its melodic sound combined with a powerful biblical narrative appeals to parents seeking a name that is both distinctive and deeply meaningful.
Frequently Asked Questions About Josiah
What does Josiah mean in Hebrew?
Josiah (יֹאשִׁיָּהוּ, Yoshiyahu) means “God heals” in Hebrew. From the Hebrew elements related to יָשָׁה (yashah, a form meaning 'to heal/support') + יָהוּ (Yahu, divine name). Some scholars interpret it as 'YHWH heals' or 'YHWH supports/sustains.' Others connect it to אֵשׁ (esh, 'fire') + יָהוּ (Yahu) = 'fire of YHWH.'
How do you pronounce Josiah in Hebrew?
The Hebrew pronunciation of Josiah is “yo-shi-YA-hu.” The name is written יֹאשִׁיָּהוּ in Hebrew script.
What does Josiah mean in Hebrew?
Josiah (יֹאשִׁיָּהוּ, Yoshiyahu) means 'God heals' or 'YHWH supports' in Hebrew. It combines a root related to healing/sustaining with the divine name element Yahu (from YHWH). The name proved prophetic — Josiah healed Judah's spiritual life by rediscovering the Torah and purging idolatry from the nation.
How old was Josiah when he became king?
Josiah became king of Judah at just eight years old after his father Amon was assassinated (2 Kings 22:1). Despite his youth and the corruption of the previous two reigns, Josiah 'began to seek the God of his father David' at age sixteen (2 Chronicles 34:3) and launched his religious reforms at twenty, showing remarkable spiritual initiative for such a young ruler.
What scroll did Josiah discover in the Temple?
During Temple renovations in 622 BCE, the priest Hilkiah discovered the 'Book of the Law' (2 Kings 22:8), widely believed by scholars to be an early form of Deuteronomy. When it was read to Josiah, he was so devastated by how far Judah had strayed that he tore his robes and launched the most sweeping religious reform in Judah's history.
Sources & Further Study
Related Hebrew Words
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