The Hebrew name Yôwkebed, represented by H3115, is defined as Jehovah-gloried. It appears 2 times across 2 unique verses, identifying the mother of Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. Though mentioned only twice, her position is central to the lineage of Israel's most pivotal leaders during the Exodus.
The two biblical accounts of Yôwkebed H3115 establish her family connections. In Exodus 6:20, she is identified as the father's sister H1733 of ʻAmrâm H6019, whom he took H3947 as his wife H802. This union bare H3205 ʼAhărôwn H175 and Môsheh H4872. The second account, in Numbers 26:59, confirms her name H8034 as ʻAmrâm's H6019 wife H802 and further clarifies her lineage as the daughter H1323 of Lêvîy H3878, who was born in Egypt H4714. This passage also adds that she bare H3205 Miryâm H4813 as their sister H269.
Several related individuals and terms define the context of Jochebed's life:
- H6019 ʻAmrâm (high people): Jochebed's husband. The scriptures record that the years H8141 of the life H2416 of ʻAmrâm were one hundred H3967 and thirty H7970 and seven H7651 Exodus 6:20.
- H4872 Môsheh (drawing out (of the water), i.e. rescued): One of Jochebed's sons, who would become the great lawgiver of Israel Exodus 6:20.
- H175 ʼAhărôwn (Aharon, the brother of Moses): Jochebed's son who was established as the head of Israel's priesthood Numbers 26:59.
- H4813 Miryâm (rebelliously; Mirjam, the name of two Israelitesses): The daughter of Jochebed, identified as a prophetess and the sister H269 of Aaron Exodus 15:20.
- H3878 Lêvîy (attached; Levi, a son of Jacob): Jochebed is a direct daughter H1323 of Levi, placing her and her children firmly within the tribe that God would later set apart Numbers 26:59.
The significance of H3115 is found entirely in her maternal role and foundational lineage.
- Matriarch of the Exodus: Jochebed is the mother of the three leaders who guided Israel out of Egypt: Môsheh H4872 the deliverer, ʼAhărôwn H175 the high priest, and Miryâm H4813 the prophetess (Numbers 26:59, Micah 6:4).
- A Levite Heritage: As the daughter H1323 of Lêvîy H3878, her lineage is crucial. She transmits the Levitical heritage to her children, which forms the basis for the Aaronic priesthood and the special role of the Levites in Israel's worship.
- Fulfillment of Name: Her name, Yôwkebed ("Jehovah-gloried"), finds its fulfillment not in her own recorded actions but through the glory brought to God by the lives and ministries of the children she bare H3205 Exodus 6:20.
In summary, Yôwkebed H3115 is a pivotal matriarch in the biblical narrative. While her name appears infrequently, her identity as the wife of ʻAmrâm H6019, daughter of Lêvîy H3878, and mother to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam makes her an essential link in the story of God's deliverance and the establishment of Israel as a nation. Her name foreshadows the immense glory God would receive through the work of her children.
TRV