uncertain — perhaps "the LORD is exalted" · Hebrew
Older lexicons give "the LORD has constrained."
About
The only woman to reign over Judah. She came from the royal house of Omri and Ahab and was the mother of King Ahaziah, whom Chronicles says she counseled to do wickedly. When her son was dead she destroyed the royal family and reigned six years. The child Joash had been hidden from her in the house of the Lord. In the seventh year the priest Jehoiada brought him out and crowned him. Athaliah came at the noise, tore her clothes, and cried treason. She was put to death at the entry of the horses to the royal house. Chronicles calls her a wicked woman.
Relationships
SpouseJehoram (Judah)Husband, king of Judah, who followed the ways of the house of Ahab
SonAhaziah (Judah)Son, after whose death she destroyed the royal family
RivalJoash (Judah)Royal child hidden from her for six years, then crowned
Key Scripture AppearancesKJV
2 Kings 8:26
Two and twenty years old was Ahaziah when he began to reign; and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Athaliah, the daughter of Omri king of Israel.2 Kings 8:26, KJV
2 Kings 11:1
And when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the seed royal.2 Kings 11:1, KJV
2 Kings 11:3
And he was with her hid in the house of the LORD six years. And Athaliah did reign over the land.2 Kings 11:3, KJV
2 Kings 11:14
And when she looked, behold, the king stood by a pillar, as the manner was, and the princes and the trumpeters by the king, and all the people of the land rejoiced, and blew with trumpets: and Athaliah rent her clothes, and cried, Treason, Treason.2 Kings 11:14, KJV
2 Kings 11:16
And they laid hands on her; and she went by the way by the which the horses came into the king’s house: and there was she slain.2 Kings 11:16, KJV
See how Athaliah connects to every other figure in Scripture.