In the Old Testament, Jeroboam was the first king of the northern part of divided Israel. He was a member of the tribe of Ephraim. The wicked Jeroboam led a revolt against the house of Judah and the family of David.

Jeroboam set up idols for the people in Dan and Bethel to worship, 1 Kgs. 12: 28-29. Ahijah rebuked Jeroboam, 1 Kgs. 14: 6-16. Jeroboam was remembered for having brought a terrible sin to Israel, 1 Kgs. 15: 34 (1 Kgs. 12: 30).