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Jeroboam II

Biblical
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

Powerful but idolatrous king of Israel during a period of territorial expansion

Detailed Definition
Jeroboam II restored Israel’s borders as prophesied by Jonah but continued Jeroboam I’s sins; Amos and Hosea condemned his reign’s social injustice (2 Kings 14:23–29). In poetry, Jeroboam II symbolizes the paradox of prosperity without righteousness, the danger of conflating national success with divine favor, and prophetic critique of complacent religiosity.
Example
Example in poetry:
In John Milton’s "Paradise Lost," Jeroboam II’s prosperity (2 Kings 14) illustrates the danger of success without righteousness; In William Cowper’s hymns, Jeroboam II’s reign warns against complacency in blessing; In Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s "The Seraphim," Jeroboam II symbolizes the king who ignores prophetic warning (Amos); In George Herbert’s "The Church-porch," Jeroboam II’s luxury contrasts with Amos’s call to justice; In John Keble’s "Lyra Apostolica," Jeroboam II represents the pinnacle before fall; In Christina Rossetti’s "The World," Jeroboam II’s borders restored prefigure temporary peace.
Additional Notes
Jeroboam II: King of Israel during a time of prosperity but moral decay (2 Kings 14:23–29); Amos prophesied during his reign. In poetry, Jeroboam II embodies the paradox of national success amid spiritual decline—ideal for poems on complacency, the silence of prosperity, or the prophetic voice in times of ease. His restoration of borders (2 Kings 14:25) fulfills Jonah’s word—adding complexity.
Also Known As
Jeroboam II king of Israel Jeroboam son of Joash
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