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Azubah

biblical_person theological_term standard

Azubah is the name of two women in the Old Testament: one was Caleb’s wife, and the other was the mother of King Jehoshaphat.

At a Glance

A Hebrew woman’s name appearing twice in the Old Testament for two different women.

Key Points

Description

Azubah is a Hebrew personal name borne by two women in the Old Testament. In 1 Chronicles 2:18-19, Azubah is named as the wife of Caleb son of Hezron and the mother of several of his children. In 1 Kings 22:42 and 2 Chronicles 20:31, Azubah is identified as the mother of King Jehoshaphat of Judah. Scripture provides only brief identification for each woman, and the text does not suggest that they are the same person. Because the term designates historical individuals rather than a doctrine or theological category, it belongs as a biblical person entry.

Biblical Context

The Old Testament uses the name Azubah for two women in distinct settings: one in the genealogical records of Judah and one in the royal history of the kingdom of Judah. In both cases, the name appears as part of family identification rather than as the focus of the narrative.

Historical Context

The references place Azubah within Israel’s family and royal lines. One appears in the genealogical traditions connected to Caleb’s household, and the other in the reign of Jehoshaphat, a king of Judah in the divided monarchy period.

Jewish and Ancient Context

Biblical genealogies and royal notices often preserve the names of women to identify family lines, inheritance, and covenant history. Azubah fits this pattern, though the text gives no extended biography for either woman.

Primary Key Texts

Secondary Key Texts

Original Language Note

Hebrew: עֲזוּבָה (ʿAzûvāh), commonly understood to mean “forsaken” or “deserted.” The name itself does not determine theology; it is simply a personal name.

Theological Significance

Azubah has no direct doctrinal role, but her inclusion in Scripture illustrates the Bible’s concern for real people within covenant history, including women whose names are preserved in family and royal records.

Philosophical Explanation

As a proper name, Azubah is a referential term rather than an abstract concept. Its meaning in Hebrew may be noted, but interpretation should begin with how the name functions in the biblical text itself.

Interpretive Cautions

Do not confuse the two women named Azubah. Do not build theology from the lexical meaning of the name alone. The biblical text identifies each woman only briefly, so claims beyond the stated relationships should remain tentative.

Major Views

There is no major doctrinal debate about Azubah itself. The main interpretive point is simply distinguishing the two biblical women who share the name.

Doctrinal Boundaries

Azubah should be treated as a historical person entry, not as a doctrine or symbol. Any devotional reflection should remain secondary to the text’s actual historical notices.

Practical Significance

Azubah reminds readers that Scripture preserves the names of ordinary and royal women alike, highlighting the value God places on people within redemptive history.

Related Entries

See Also

Data

Machine-readable JSON for Azubah

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