Athaliah

Related Category: Biblical Proper Names: Biographies

(ăth´´əlī´ə). 1 The only queen to occupy the throne of Judah, daughter of Ahab of Israel, wife of Jehoram 2 of Judah, and mother of Ahaziah 2 of Judah, whom she succeeded. She had the males of the royal family murdered, but her stepdaughter Jehosheba hid away a baby son of Ahaziah. Some years later, Jehosheba and her husband Jehoiada 1 effected a coup in favor of this baby, Jehoash 2. Athaliah they killed. These events are the subject of Racine's Athalie. 2 Benjamite. 3 Father of one who returned with Ezra.