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Biography

Amon of Judah (Hebrew: אָמוֹן‎ ’Āmōn; Greek: Αμων; Latin: Amon) was a 7th-century BC King of Judah who, according to the biblical account, succeeded his father Manasseh of Judah. Amon is most remembered for his idolatrous practices while king, which led to a revolt against him and eventually his assassination in c. 641 BC.

Amon was the son of King Manasseh of Judah and Meshullemeth, a daughter of Haruz of Jotbah.[5] Although the date is unknown, the Hebrew Bible records that he married Jedidah, the daughter of Adaiah of Bozkath. Amon began his reign of Judah at the age of 22, and reigned for two years. Biblical scholar and archeologist William F. Albright has dated his reign to 642 – 640, while professor E. R. Thiele offers the dates 643/642 – 641/640. Thiele's dates are tied to the reign of Amon's son Josiah, whose death at the hands of Pharaoh Necho II occurred in the summer of 609. Josiah's death, which is independently confirmed in Egyptian history, places the end of Amon's reign, 31 years earlier, in 641 or 640 and the beginning of his rule in 643 or 642.

After reigning two years, Amon was assassinated by his servants, who conspired against him, and was succeeded by his son Josiah, who at the time was eight years old.[11] After Amon's assassination his murderers became unpopular with the people, and were ultimately killed. Some scholars, such as Abraham Malamat, assert that Amon was assassinated because people disliked the heavy influence that Assyria, an age-old enemy of Judah responsible for the destruction of the Kingdom of Israel, had upon him.[13]


Marriage and Family


Children


Offspring of Amon of Judah and Jedidah, daughter of Adaiah of Bozkath
Name Birth Death Joined with
Josiah (c648 BC-609 BC) 648 609 Jerusalem, Land of Canaan Zebudah, daughter of Pedaiah of Rumah
Hamutal, daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah



Siblings


Offspring of Manasses of Judah and Meshullemeth, daughter of Haruz of Jotbah
Name Birth Death Joined with
Amon of Judah (c664 BC-c641 BC) 664 640 Jedidah, daughter of Adaiah of Bozkath


Regnal titles
Preceded by
Manasses
14th King of Judah
Sole reign: 642 – 640 BC
Succeeded by
Josiah

References



Footnotes (including sources)

Some information in this article or section has not been verified and may not be reliable.
Please check for any inaccuracies, and modify and cite sources as needed.
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