### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma `{{H3115}}` יוֹכֶבֶד (Yôwkebed) is a proper noun, specifically the name of a person. Its etymology is derived from a contraction of two significant Hebrew elements: יְהֹוָה (YHWH, the personal name of God, often rendered as "Jehovah" or "LORD") and כָּבַד (kābad, meaning "to be heavy," "to be weighty," and metaphorically, "to be glorious," "to be honored"). Thus, the name Yôwkebed semantically means "Jehovah-gloried" or "YHWH is glory/glorious." As a proper noun, its semantic range is fixed to the individual it identifies. However, the inherent meaning of the name itself carries profound theological weight, proclaiming the glory and honor of God.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name Jochebed `{{H3115}}` appears in the Old Testament in direct reference to one individual: the mother of Moses and Aaron.
* In [[Exodus 6:20]], Jochebed is explicitly identified as the wife of Amram and the mother of Aaron and Moses: "And Amram took him Jochebed his father's sister to wife; and she bare him Aaron and Moses: and the years of the life of Amram were an hundred and thirty and seven years." This verse establishes her immediate family connections.
* [[Numbers 26:59]] further elaborates on her lineage: "And the name of Amram's wife was Jochebed, the daughter of Levi, whom her mother bare to Levi in Egypt: and she bare unto Amram Aaron and Moses, and Miriam their sister." This clarifies that Jochebed was a daughter of Levi, making her Amram's aunt, a marriage permitted in that era.
* While not explicitly named, Jochebed is the "daughter of Levi" referred to in [[Exodus 2:1-10]], who bore a son (Moses) and, seeing that he was a beautiful child, hid him for three months. When she could hide him no longer, she placed him in an ark among the reeds by the river, entrusting him to divine providence. Her ingenuity and courageous faith in defying Pharaoh's decree showcase a profound trust in God, despite the perilous circumstances. The name "Jehovah-gloried" thus resonates powerfully with her actions, as God's glory was indeed manifested through the preservation and eventual rise of her son, Moses, who would deliver Israel.
### Related Words & Concepts
The name Jochebed `{{H3115}}` is intricately linked to several key biblical concepts and other Hebrew words:
* **יְהֹוָה (YHWH):** The divine name, the very foundation of Jochebed's name, signifies God's covenant faithfulness, self-existence, and sovereign glory. Its presence in her name underscores the pervasive nature of God's identity in Israelite life.
* **כָּבַד (kābad) `{{H3513}}`:** This root word, meaning "heavy," "glorious," or "honored," is central to understanding the meaning of Jochebed's name. It is used extensively to describe God's glory (e.g., [[Exodus 16:7]], [[Psalm 29:3]]), the honor due to parents (e.g., [[Exodus 20:12]]), and the weightiness of something significant.
* **Theophoric Names:** Jochebed's name is a prime example of a theophoric name, a common practice in ancient Israel where names incorporated elements referring to God (e.g., Elijah, Samuel, Isaiah). Such names served as declarations of faith or theological truths, reflecting a worldview deeply centered on the divine.
* **Faith and Trust:** Jochebed's actions in hiding and preserving Moses (Exodus 2) exemplify profound faith and trust in God's providence, echoing the faith of other biblical figures like Abraham and Sarah. Her obedience to a higher law than Pharaoh's decree highlights a deep reliance on God.
* **Divine Providence and Deliverance:** Her role as the mother of Moses directly connects her to the theme of divine deliverance. Her actions were instrumental in the unfolding of God's plan to redeem Israel from slavery, making her a crucial link in the redemptive history.
### Theological Significance
Jochebed's name and her actions carry significant theological weight:
* **God's Inherent Glory and Sovereignty:** The name "Jehovah-gloried" is a powerful declaration of God's intrinsic glory and His sovereign control over history. Even in the darkest period of Israel's oppression in Egypt, Jochebed's name proclaims that YHWH's glory is undiminished and will be revealed. Her life becomes a testament to God's active providence, working through human agents to accomplish His glorious purposes.
* **Faith as a Response to Adversity:** Jochebed's courage in defying Pharaoh's decree and her innovative approach to saving Moses' life demonstrate an extraordinary act of faith. This highlights that true faith is not passive but actively trusts God's power and wisdom even when circumstances are dire. Her actions, born out of trust, facilitated the unfolding of God's redemptive plan, underscoring that God often uses the faith of individuals to bring about His glorious will.
* **The Significance of Names in Divine Plan:** Her name, proclaiming "YHWH is glory," is not merely a label but a prophetic statement. It may have been a declaration of faith by her parents or a foreshadowing of the glorious acts YHWH would perform through her lineage. The narrative of the Exodus, which is fundamentally about the revelation of YHWH's glory through His mighty acts of deliverance, begins with a woman whose very name embodies this truth.
* **The Role of Women in Redemptive History:** Jochebed stands as an example of a faithful woman whose pivotal role, though seemingly domestic, had monumental implications for the salvation of a nation. Her quiet strength and unwavering faith were essential for the preservation of Moses, the future deliverer, thereby underscoring the vital contributions of women in God's redemptive narrative.
### Summary
Jochebed `{{H3115}}`, whose name means "Jehovah-gloried" or "YHWH is glory," holds a crucial place in biblical history as the mother of Moses and Aaron. Her life, though briefly detailed, is marked by extraordinary faith and courage, particularly in her defiance of Pharaoh's decree to save her infant son, Moses. Her name itself is a profound theological statement, proclaiming the inherent glory of YHWH. Jochebed's actions exemplify how God's divine providence works through the faithful obedience of individuals, even in the face of overwhelming adversity, to bring about His glorious purposes for salvation and deliverance. Her story underscores the significance of faith, the power of God's sovereignty, and the vital role of seemingly ordinary individuals in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan.
TRV