Iosias

Iosias is a Latin and Greek form of Josiah, derived from the Ancient Greek Ἰωσίᾱς (Iōsíās), which itself comes from the Biblical Hebrew name Yoshiyahu. The Hebrew name means "Yahweh supports," from the elements ʾashya ("support") and yah (referring to the God of Israel). In the Old Testament, Iosias corresponds to the righteous King Josiah of Judah, who reigned in the 7th century BC and was known for his sweeping religious reforms, including the repair of the Temple and the rediscovery of the Book of the Law. He died in battle against the Egyptians at Megiddo.

Etymology

As a Latin transliteration, Iosias appears in the Vulgate, the Latin translation of the Bible prepared by Jerome in the late 4th century AD. The Latin spelling comes directly from the Greek version of the Septuagint, where the name is Ἰωσίᾱς. The pronunciation in Classical Latin is [joːˈsiː.aːs], while in Ecclesiastical Latin it is [joˈs̬iː.as].

Biblical and Historical Context

In the Latin Bible, Iosias is the name of the king described in 2 Kings 22-23 and 2 Chronicles 34-35. He became king at age eight and later initiated a nationwide covenant renewal, centralizing worship in Jerusalem. His reforms included removing idolatrous altars and celebrating the Passover. The prophet Jeremiah mourned for him after his death. Iosias is also mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew (1:10-11), though the name there appears in its Hebrew-influenced Greek form.

Usage in Biblical Translations

The form Iosias is used in both the Greek Septuagint and the Latin Vulgate, and by extension appears in early European vernacular Bibles that relied on these sources. In post-Reformation England, the name Josiah became common, but Iosias remained the scholarly form used in liturgical and theological contexts, especially in Catholic and Orthodox traditions that continued the usage of Latin or Greek Biblical texts.

• Meaning: “Yahweh supports”
• Origin: Latin and Greek form of the Hebrew Yoshiyahu
• Type: Biblical name (Old Testament king)
• Usage Regions: Historically used in Latin, Greek, and early Christian traditions