Athaliah (Ath´uh-li´uh; Heb., “Yah[weh] is strong”)

The only ruling queen of Judah. She was the daughter of Jezebel and Ahab of Israel, and the wife of Jehoram, king of Judah (ca. 849–843 BCE). She ruled (ca. 843–837 BC) upon the death of Ahaziah at the hands of Jehu (2Kgs 9:29). She instigated a purge of the male heirs. After six years, Jehoida, one of the priests, mounted a successful coup by producing Joash, a male who escaped the purge, and Athaliah was murdered (2Kgs 11:1-20).