Double Joash

Joash of Judah is called “Jehoash” throughout much of his reign, but his name returns to Joash at the end of the account (12:19). Jehoash contains the name of Yahweh, and means “fire of Yah,” the fire of Yah’s wrath but also Yah’s fire of cleansing. Jehoash of Judah is the agent for the purification of Israel and the repair of the temple. But the name Joash means “he burns” or in some translations “he despairs.” So it is appropriate that when the Davidic king turns away from the Lord after a reign of burning with the fire and passion of Yahweh the narrator begins to call him “Joash.” Throughout his reign, he was “Jehoash,” burning with the passion of Yahweh; but at the end of his reign, he became “Joash,” since he was himself consumed in the fire. The king of Israel who bears this name is called “Jehoash” throughout: Because of his sins, Yahweh’s anger burns against Israel, but also through Jehoash He turns His fire against Aram.