Jotham

Jotham is a biblical name of Hebrew origin, meaning "Yahweh is perfect." It is derived from the elements yo, referring to the Hebrew God YHWH, and tam, meaning "perfect, complete." In the Old Testament, Jotham is the name of two figures: Gideon's youngest son, who escaped the massacre of his brothers by Abimelech and later pronounced a powerful parable, and a king of Judah.

Etymology and History

The name Jotham appears in the Bible as the 11th king of Judah, succeeding his father Uzziah (also called Azariah). According to the biblical account, Jotham was 25 years old when he began to reign and ruled for 16 years. Some scholars, such as Edwin R. Thiele, suggest that his reign began as a coregency with his father, who was afflicted with tzaraath (a skin disease often translated as leprosy) after entering the Temple to burn incense. During this time, Jotham acted as governor of the palace and the land, while Uzziah lived in isolation. Thiele dates Jotham's sole reign from around 740 to 735 BCE, though William F. Albright places it slightly earlier, from 742 to 735 BCE. Jotham was eventually deposed by a pro-Assyrian faction in favor of his son Ahaz, according to Thiele's chronology.

The theophoric element yo is common in Hebrew names and references the divine name YHWH, which is often transliterated as Yahweh or Jehovah. The element tam appears in other names such as Tamar (meaning"palm tree") and denotes wholeness or perfection. A related form of the name is Yotam (יוֹתָם), which is the modern Hebrew pronunciation.

Notable Bearers in the Bible

Jotham, Son of Gideon: After Gideon's death, his son Abimelech killed 70 of his brothers to secure power. Jotham survived and delivered a fable about the trees choosing a bramble as king, warning the people of Shechem of the consequences of their actions. His speech is recorded in Judges 9.

Jotham, King of Judah: The son of Uzziah, Jotham is portrayed as a righteous king who built cities, fortified Judah, and defeated the Ammonites. His reign is described in 2 Kings 15 and 2 Chronicles 27. The period of his rule was marked by Assyrian expansion under Tiglath-Pileser III, though Jotham maintained stability in Judah.

Cultural and Religious Significance

The name Jotham reflects the Hebrew naming tradition of expressing faith in God's attributes, in this case His perfection. Remaining largely within religious contexts, Jotham has been used in English-speaking Christian communities, particularly in the 16th and 17th centuries, often appearing among Puritans who favored biblical names. The name is still occasionally given today, especially among religious families.

Related Names

Jotham is most closely linked to its Hebrew form Yotam, as well as to the foundational name Yahweh. The name appears in English only via the Septuagint and Latin Vulgate, and is less common than some other Hebrew names from the Bible.

• Meaning: "Yahweh is perfect"
• Origin: Hebrew
• Type: Biblical name
• Usage: English Bible, with roots in the Old Testament