Jotbah

Jotbah is the home town of Meshullemeth, mother of King Amon of Judah. The name appears once, in the regnal notice that opens Amon's brief reign. A second cross-reference points to the wilderness encampment Jotbathah — a related but distinct place, and one UPDV spells with the longer form.

The Birthplace of Amon's Mother

The notice introducing Amon names his mother and her family of origin: "Amon was twenty and two years old when he began to reign; and he reigned two years in Jerusalem: and his mother's name was Meshullemeth the daughter of Haruz of Jotbah" (2 Kgs 21:19). Jotbah is the queen mother's hometown — otherwise unmentioned in narrative, fixed only by this genealogical detail.

Distinct from Jotbathah

The wilderness itinerary in Deuteronomy preserves a related place name: "From there they journeyed to Gudgodah; and from Gudgodah to Jotbathah, a land of brooks of water" (Deut 10:7). The UPDV uses the longer form "Jotbathah" for the desert encampment, distinguishing it from the Judahite Jotbah of Meshullemeth's family. See Jotbathah.