Original Research

Athaliah, a treacherous queen: A careful analysis of her story in 2 Kings 11 and 2 Chronicles 22:10-23:21

R.G. Branch
In die Skriflig/In Luce Verbi | Vol 38, No 4 | a448 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/ids.v38i4.448 | © 2004 R.G. Branch | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 01 August 2004 | Published: 01 August 2004

About the author(s)

R.G. Branch, School of Biblical Sciences & Bible Languages, Potchefstroom Campus, North-West University, South Africa

Full Text:

PDF (216KB)

Abstract

This article presents a critical look at the story of the reign of Athaliah, the only ruling queen of Israel or Judah in the biblical text. Double reference in 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles shows her story’s importance and significance to the biblical writers. The largely parallel accounts read like a contemporary soap opera, for they contain murder, intrigue, harem politics, religious upheaval, and coup and counter-coup. Her story provides insights on the turbulent political climate of the ninth century BC. However, the purpose of the biblical writers is not to show Athaliah as the epitome of evil or that all women in power are evil.

Keywords

Athaliah; Biblical Narration; Jehoiada And Jehosheba; Joash; Political Climate In 9TH-Century Judah

Metrics

Total abstract views: 3983
Total article views: 14087

 

Crossref Citations

1. Reconstructing a Deuteronomistic Athaliah in the (South) African context: A critique of the patriarchal perception of women
Ndikhokele Mtshiselwa
Verbum et Ecclesia  vol: 36  issue: 1  year: 2015  
doi: 10.4102/ve.v36i1.1384