Jedidah

Who was Jedidah in the Bible?

The mother of King Josiah and wife of King Amon, identified as the daughter of Adaiah of Bozkath.

Babylonian PeriodSouthern Kingdom (Judah)Women of the BibleWomen of the Old Testament
Named in2 KingsHistorical Books

Jedidah was a Judean queen mother who lived during the late 7th century BC, a pivotal era of the Divided Monarchy. As the wife of King Amon and the mother of the righteous King Josiah, she occupied a position of significant social and political influence within the Davidic court in Jerusalem.

Although her biblical record is brief, her inclusion in the royal annals serves as a genealogical marker for the transition of power between the idolatrous reign of Amon and the sweeping religious reforms of Josiah. She is specifically identified as the daughter of Adaiah, hailing from the town of Bozkath, a location in the lowlands of Judah.

Background and Family

Jedidah lived during the twilight years of the Kingdom of Judah. Her name, derived from the Hebrew root yadad, translates to "beloved" or "darling." According to the genealogical record in 2 Kings 22:1, she was the daughter of Adaiah of Bozkath. Bozkath was a city situated in the Shephelah, or the western foothills of Judah, near Lachish and Eglon (Joshua 15:39). Her marriage to King Amon linked a provincial family from the Judean lowlands to the central Davidic dynasty in Jerusalem.

Major Life Events

Jedidah’s primary mention occurs at the coronation of her son, Josiah. The biblical text notes that Josiah was only eight years old when he ascended to the throne following the assassination of his father, Amon. Given Josiah's extreme youth, the role of the queen mother (the gebirah) would have been exceptionally prominent. While the Bible does not explicitly detail her actions during Josiah's minority, the mention of her name suggests she was the recognized maternal authority during the formative years of one of Judah's most significant religious reformers.

Relationship to Other Biblical Figures

Jedidah serves as the vital link between three generations of Judean leadership. She was the daughter of Adaiah, the wife of King Amon, and the mother of King Josiah. Her husband, Amon, is recorded as a king who "did evil in the sight of the Lord" (2 Kings 21:20), following the idolatrous ways of his father Manasseh. In contrast, her son Josiah became famous for his devotion to Yahweh and his efforts to purge Judah of the very idols his father had championed. Whether Jedidah herself influenced Josiah’s early spiritual inclination toward the God of David is not stated by the biblical author, yet she remained the primary constant in his life during his transition to the throne.

Spiritual Significance

The mention of Jedidah follows the standard historiographic pattern of the Books of Kings, where the mother of each Judean monarch is named. This practice underscores the importance of the queen mother in the Davidic line, ensuring the legitimacy of the succession. While Jedidah appears in only one verse, her presence provides the necessary historical grounding for the beginning of the Josianic era, marking the end of the apostasy of Amon and the beginning of the greatest spiritual revival in the history of the Divided Monarchy.

Jedidah's significance lies in her role as the Queen Mother of Josiah. In the ancient Near East, and specifically within the Kingdom of Judah, the mother of the king held a formal office of influence. Her inclusion in the text validates Josiah's lineage and provides a historical anchor for his reign. While the text is silent on her personal piety, she is the woman who raised the king who would eventually rediscover the Law and lead the nation back to covenant faithfulness.

Furthermore, her origin from Bozkath suggests a political alliance between the royal house and the rural districts of Judah. By naming her, the chronicler ensures that the transition from the violent end of Amon’s reign to the stability of Josiah’s long thirty-one-year rule is documented through the lens of family continuity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Jedidah mean?

The name Jedidah (יְדִידָה) means 'beloved' or 'darling' in Hebrew.

Who was Jedidah’s husband?

Jedidah was the wife of Amon, the king of Judah who reigned for two years before being assassinated by his officials.

Who was Jedidah’s most famous relative?

Her son, King Josiah, is her most famous relative, known for his sweeping religious reforms and the discovery of the Book of the Law in the Temple.

Where was Jedidah from?

She was from Bozkath, a town located in the lowland plains (Shephelah) of the territory of the tribe of Judah.

Did Jedidah rule Judah?

No, she did not rule as a monarch, but as the mother of an eight-year-old king, she would have held significant influence as the Queen Mother.

Family & Relationships

Parents

  • Portrait of Amon, King of JudahAmon, King of JudahHusband2 Kings 21:24
    Inferred

    Reconstructed through Josiah: 2 Kings 22:1 ties Jedidah to Josiah; 2 Kings 21:24 ties Josiah to Amon. No verse states the husband link between Jedidah and Amon directly.Evidence: 2 Kings 21:24; 2 Kings 22:1; 1 Chronicles 3:14; 2 Chronicles 33:25; Jeremiah 1:2

Portrait of JedidahJedidahThis page

Children

Connected Figures

Family

Categories

Divided Monarchy

Mentions by Book

  • 2 Kings2

Scripture References

All 2 indexed verses, in canonical order, from the Berean Standard Bible.

2 Kings · 2

  • 2 Kings 21:18Partial

    And Manasseh rested with his fathers and was buried in his palace garden, the garden of Uzza. And his son Amon reigned in his place.

    Cited as evidence on a family card; added so References, Key Verses and Mentions by Book share one index.

  • 2 Kings 22:1

    Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years. His mother’s name was Jedidah daughter of Adaiah; she was from Bozkath.

Books They Appear In

2 Kings