from קוּם and יָהּ; Jah will rise; Jekamjah, the name of two Israelites; Jekamiah. Compare יְהוֹיָקִים.
Transliteration:Yᵉqamyâh
Pronunciation:yek-am-yaw'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew name יְקַמְיָה (Yᵉqamyâh, `{{H3359}}`) is a theophoric compound name, meaning it incorporates a divine element. It is derived from two components: the verb קוּם (quwm, `{{H6965}}`) and the divine name יָהּ (Yah, `{{H3050}}`). The verb קוּם fundamentally means "to rise," "to stand up," "to establish," or "to confirm." When combined with יָהּ, a shortened form of Yahweh, the name translates most accurately as "Yah will rise" or "Yahweh will establish/raise up." This meaning suggests a divine initiative and action, indicating that God Himself is the one who brings about a standing, an establishment, or an elevation. The name is not merely a statement about the individual's character, but a declaration of God's active power and sovereignty in their life or circumstances.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name Yeqamyâh (Jekamiah) appears twice in the biblical record, both times within the genealogies of the book of 1 Chronicles:
1. **[[1 Chronicles 2:41]]**: Here, Jekamiah is listed as the son of Shallum, a descendant of Caleb, who was a prominent figure in the tribe of Judah. The verse states, "And Shallum begat Jekamiah, and Jekamiah begat Elishama." This occurrence places Jekamiah within the extensive and meticulously recorded genealogies of Judah, highlighting his connection to the foundational tribal structure of Israel. In this context, the name "Yah will rise" might implicitly affirm God's enduring purpose for the tribe of Judah and its role in the unfolding history of Israel, particularly in relation to land and lineage.
2. **[[1 Chronicles 3:18]]**: In this instance, Jekamiah is identified as one of the sons of King Jeconiah (also known as Jehoiachin), who was exiled to Babylon. The verse reads, "And the sons of Jeconiah; Assir, Salathiel his son, Malchiram also, and Pedaiah, and Shenazzar, Jekamiah, Hoshama, and Nedabiah." This Jekamiah belongs to the royal lineage of David, specifically born during or after the Babylonian exile. The placement of this Jekamiah within the line of David, even amidst the apparent collapse of the monarchy and the nation's captivity, is profoundly significant. The name "Yah will rise" takes on a powerful prophetic resonance here, serving as a beacon of hope and a testament to God's faithfulness that He would indeed "raise up" the Davidic line again, even from the ashes of exile, ultimately pointing towards the coming Messiah.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary root related to Yeqamyâh is קוּם (quwm, `{{H6965}}`), a versatile verb with a wide semantic range. It can denote physical rising (e.g., from sleep, [[Psalm 3:5]]), standing up (e.g., in battle, [[Joshua 8:2]]), or rising to a position of authority (e.g., a king, [[1 Samuel 2:35]]). More significantly, it is often used to describe God's action in raising up individuals (prophets, judges, kings, [[Deuteronomy 18:18]]; [[Judges 2:16]]) or nations, or in establishing covenants and promises ([[Genesis 26:3]]; [[Psalm 89:4]]).
The divine element יָהּ (Yah, `{{H3050}}`) is a shortened, poetic form of the tetragrammaton YHWH, emphasizing the personal and active nature of God. Its presence in a name underscores divine involvement and blessing.
The Strong's definition explicitly compares Yeqamyâh (`{{H3359}}`) with יְהוֹיָקִים (Yehoyaqim, `{{H3079}}`), which means "Yahweh raises up" or "Yahweh establishes." Both names share the same verbal root קוּם and the divine name Yahweh (in full or shortened form), signifying God's active role in raising or establishing. The slight difference in the prefix (יְקַם vs. יְהוֹיָקִים) reflects different verbal conjugations, but the core theological meaning of divine initiative in establishing or raising remains consistent. This comparison highlights a common theme in Hebrew nomenclature: the acknowledgment of God as the ultimate source of power, stability, and destiny.
### Theological Significance
The name Yeqamyâh carries profound theological significance, primarily centered on the sovereignty and faithfulness of God.
1. **Divine Sovereignty and Initiative**: The name unequivocally declares that God is the active agent. "Yah will rise" or "Yah will establish" places the power and initiative firmly with the Almighty. It is not human effort but divine will that brings about establishment or elevation. This serves as a constant reminder that human destiny and the course of history are ultimately in God's hands.
2. **Hope and Restoration**: Particularly in the context of Jekamiah, son of Jeconiah, during the Babylonian exile, the name becomes a powerful statement of hope. When the Davidic monarchy seemed utterly broken and the nation scattered, the name "Yah will rise" served as a prophetic whisper of God's enduring promise to His people and to the Davidic line. It points to the eschatological hope that God would indeed raise up a new king, a new kingdom, and restore His people. This resonates with the broader biblical theme of God's ability to bring life out of death, order out of chaos, and glory out of desolation.
3. **God's Faithfulness to Covenant**: The presence of such a name within the Davidic genealogy, even after the fall of Jerusalem, underscores God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises. Despite human failure and sin, God's plan to raise up a descendant of David to rule forever would not be thwarted. The name implicitly affirms that God's promises are secure because He Himself is the one who will "rise" to fulfill them.
### Summary
Yeqamyâh (Jekamiah, `{{H3359}}`) is a theophoric Hebrew name meaning "Yah will rise" or "Yahweh will establish/raise up." Derived from the verb קוּם (quwm, `{{H6965}}`) and the divine name יָהּ (Yah, `{{H3050}}`), it appears in the genealogies of 1 Chronicles. One Jekamiah is a descendant of Caleb in the tribe of Judah ([[1 Chronicles 2:41]]), affirming God's enduring purpose for the tribal lineage. The other, more significantly, is a son of King Jeconiah, a descendant of David born during or after the Babylonian exile ([[1 Chronicles 3:18]]). In this context, the name serves as a powerful declaration of divine sovereignty, expressing profound hope and testifying to God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises, particularly the Davidic line, even in times of national distress and apparent defeat. The name Yeqamyâh ultimately points to God as the active agent who establishes and raises up, a testament to His enduring power and redemptive plan.
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