### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew proper noun `{{H3147}}` (Yôwthâm) is a theophoric name, meaning it incorporates an element of the divine name. Its etymology is clearly derived from two components: `{{H3068}}` (YHWH, often transliterated as Jehovah) and `{{H8535}}` (tam), which means "perfect," "complete," "blameless," or "upright." Therefore, the name `{{H3147}}` literally translates to "Jehovah is perfect" or "YHWH is complete/upright." This etymological foundation provides its core semantic range, functioning as a declaration of God's unblemished character and wholeness. As a personal name, it reflects a theological statement or a parental aspiration concerning the child's life in relation to God's nature.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name `{{H3147}}` appears in the biblical text referring to three distinct individuals:
1. **Jotham, Son of Gideon:** The youngest and only surviving son of Gideon (Jerubbaal) who escaped the massacre orchestrated by his half-brother Abimelech. Jotham is notable for delivering a powerful allegorical fable, known as Jotham's Fable or the Parable of the Trees, from Mount Gerizim ([[Judges 9:7-21]]). This parable sharply critiques the people of Shechem for their foolish choice in making Abimelech king and prophetically warns of the destructive consequences. His name, "YHWH is perfect," stands in stark contrast to the flawed and violent human leadership he denounces, perhaps highlighting the divine standard against which human actions are measured.
2. **Jotham, King of Judah:** The son of King Uzziah (also known as Azariah) and Jerusha. He served as regent during his father's leprosy and subsequently reigned as king of Judah for sixteen years ([[2 Kings 15:32-38]], [[2 Chronicles 27:1-9]]). The biblical accounts describe Jotham as a king who "did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, according to all that his father Uzziah had done." He undertook significant building projects, including the Upper Gate of the Temple and fortifications on the Ophel hill. He also successfully waged war against the Ammonites. Despite his general righteousness, he did not remove the high places where the people continued to offer sacrifices, indicating a degree of compromise or incomplete reform. His name, "YHWH is perfect," may have served as a constant reminder of the divine standard he sought to uphold, even if not perfectly achieved in his reign.
3. **Jotham, a Calebite:** Mentioned in the genealogies of 1 Chronicles as a descendant of Caleb, specifically "the son of Jahdai" ([[1 Chronicles 2:47]]). This occurrence is purely genealogical, providing no narrative context for the individual. Its presence here demonstrates the commonality of theophoric names within Israelite society, reflecting prevailing theological convictions or family traditions.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of `{{H3147}}` naturally connects to several significant biblical words and concepts:
* **`{{H3068}}` (YHWH):** The foundational element of the name, representing the covenant God of Israel. Its inclusion signifies a direct connection to the divine nature and promises.
* **`{{H8535}}` (tam):** This root denotes completeness, integrity, blamelessness, or perfection. It is used to describe Noah ([[Genesis 6:9]]), Job ([[Job 1:1]]), and is a quality desired by God for His people. It speaks to moral uprightness and wholeness.
* **Theophoric Names:** `{{H3147}}` is an excellent example of a theophoric name, a widespread practice in ancient Israel where names incorporated divine elements. Such names often served as mini-confessions of faith, declarations of God's attributes, or prayers for the child's life (e.g., Isaiah, "YHWH saves"; Jehoshaphat, "YHWH judges").
* **Righteousness and Integrity:** The concept embedded in "tam" aligns with the broader biblical themes of living a life of integrity, walking blamelessly before God, and pursuing righteousness. The name Jotham inherently points to a divine standard of moral excellence.
### Theological Significance
The name `{{H3147}}` (Yôwthâm) carries profound theological significance, primarily serving as a direct declaration of God's character. "Jehovah is perfect" proclaims a fundamental attribute of the Almighty: His absolute completeness, moral integrity, and freedom from blemish or flaw. This theological statement, embedded within a personal name, functions as a constant reminder of the divine standard.
The lives of those bearing the name, particularly King Jotham, often highlight the tension between this divine perfection and human imperfection. While King Jotham generally "did what was right," his failure to remove the high places illustrates the human tendency to fall short of absolute blamelessness, even when striving for righteousness. This contrast underscores that true perfection resides solely in God.
Furthermore, the act of naming a child "Jotham" would have been a parental expression of faith—either a confession of God's perfect nature, a prayer that the child would embody integrity, or an entrustment of the child to the care of a perfect God. Such names served as a constant testimony within the community, silently proclaiming God's attributes and His active presence in the lives of His people.
### Summary
`{{H3147}}` (Yôwthâm) is a Hebrew proper noun meaning "Jehovah is perfect" or "YHWH is complete/upright," derived from `{{H3068}}` (YHWH) and `{{H8535}}` (tam). The name appears in the Old Testament referring to three distinct individuals: Jotham, the son of Gideon, known for his Fable of the Trees ([[Judges 9]]); Jotham, the righteous King of Judah, son of Uzziah ([[2 Kings 15]], [[2 Chronicles 27]]); and a Calebite listed in a genealogy ([[1 Chronicles 2]]). The name powerfully articulates a core theological truth about God's absolute perfection, integrity, and blamelessness. As a theophoric name, it serves as a constant declaration of divine character, reflecting a parental hope for integrity and a community's witness to God's inherent completeness.
TRV