Jeroboam I

Jeroboam ירבעם
King of Israel
Illustration of Jeroboam setting up two golden calves, Bible Historiale, 1372.
Reign	c. 931 to 910 BC
Predecessor	Rehoboam
Successor	Nadab, his son
Born	unknown United Kingdom of Israel
Died	910 BCE Tirzah, Northern Kingdom of Israel
Spouse	Ano (named only in the Septuagint)
House	New House, Tribe of Ephraim
Father	Nebat
Mother	Zeruah

Jeroboam I /ˌdʒɛrəˈboʊ.əm/ (Hebrew: יָרָבְעָם‎ Yārāḇə‘ām; Greek: Ἱεροβοάμ Hieroboam) was the first king of the northern Kingdom of Israel after the revolt of the ten northern Israelite tribes against Rehoboam that put an end to the United Monarchy.

Jeroboam reigned for 22 years. William F. Albright has dated his reign from 922 to 901 BC, while Edwin R. Thiele offers the dates 931 to 910 BC.

The name Jeroboam יָרָבְעָם‎ is commonly held to have been derived from riyb רִיב‎ and ʿam עַם‎, signifying "the people contend" or "he pleads the people's cause". It is alternatively translated to mean "his people are many" or "he increases the people" (from רבב‎ rbb, meaning "to increase"), or even "he that opposes the people". In the Septuagint he is called Hieroboam (Ἱεροβοάμ).