The Hebrew name Yᵉrôchâm, represented by H3395, means compassionate. It appears 10 times across 10 unique verses in the Bible. The name belongs to seven or eight different Israelites and is used exclusively within genealogical records and lists of key figures, where it serves to establish ancestry and familial connections.
In the biblical narrative, H3395 is consistently used to identify an individual's father or ancestor, thereby placing them within the broader story of Israel. For example, Jeroham is named as the grandfather of the prophet Samuel, being the father of Elkanah 1 Samuel 1:1. The name also appears in the lineages of priests and Levites who served after the exile, such as Adaiah the son of Jeroham (1 Chronicles 9:12; Nehemiah 11:12). Other notable individuals identified as a "son of Jeroham" include Azariah, a military captain who made a covenant with Jehoiada 2 Chronicles 23:1, and Azareel, a prince of the tribe of Dan 1 Chronicles 27:22.
The significance of Jeroham is understood through his relationships with other key individuals, whose names often appear alongside his in genealogical lists:
- H1121 bên (a son): This word is central to the usage of Jeroham, as every mention of the name is in the context of identifying someone as the "son of Jeroham" or listing Jeroham as the "son" of another. It establishes the genealogical links that define identity and inheritance 1 Samuel 1:1.
- H511 ʼElqânâh (God has obtained): Elkanah is identified as the son of Jeroham in multiple genealogies (1 Samuel 1:1; 1 Chronicles 6:27; 1 Chronicles 6:34). The most prominent Elkanah is the father of Samuel.
- H2147 Zikrîy (memorable): Zichri is named as one of the sons of Jeroham in the tribe of Benjamin 1 Chronicles 8:27. The name Zichri also appears in association with another Jeroham, whose son Azariah was a military captain alongside Elishaphat, the son of Zichri 2 Chronicles 23:1.
- H4918 Mᵉshullâm (allied): Jeroham is an ancestor of a priest named Adaiah, whose lineage is traced through Meshullam 1 Chronicles 9:12. Another Jeroham is mentioned in a list of Benjamites that also includes a prominent Meshullam 1 Chronicles 9:8.
While not a central character himself, the name Yᵉrôchâm H3395 is significant for its role in anchoring important figures within the history of Israel.
- Priestly & Levitical Lineage: The name features in the genealogies of the Levites, connecting individuals to their sacred duties. The lineages of Elkanah (1 Chronicles 6:27, 34) and the priest Adaiah 1 Chronicles 9:12 both include a Jeroham, highlighting the continuity of the priestly lines.
- Tribal & Military Leadership: Jeroham is the father of leaders within Israel's tribal structure and military. This is seen with Azareel, a prince of Dan 1 Chronicles 27:22, and Azariah, one of the "captains of hundreds" who helped secure the throne for Joash 2 Chronicles 23:1.
- Establishing Community: The name appears in lists of those who resettled Jerusalem, such as Ibneiah the son of Jeroham 1 Chronicles 9:8 and Adaiah the son of Jeroham Nehemiah 11:12, signifying the importance of heritage in rebuilding the nation.
In summary, H3395 Yᵉrôchâm functions as a vital genealogical marker in the Old Testament. Though the individuals named Jeroham are not main actors in the biblical drama, their name, meaning "compassionate," is attached to the lineages of prophets, priests, and princes. Its repeated use underscores the biblical emphasis on ancestry and the structured, interconnected nature of Israelite society, where identity and role were often defined by one's paternal line.
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