from רָחַם; compassionate; Jerocham, the name of seven or eight Israelites; Jeroham.
Transliteration:Yᵉrôchâm
Pronunciation:yer-o-khawm'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew proper noun יְרֹחָם (Yᵉrôchâm), Strong's `{{H3395}}`, is derived from the root רָחַם (racham), `{{H7355}}`. This root fundamentally signifies "to have compassion," "to show mercy," "to love deeply," often carrying the nuance of a deep, visceral affection akin to a parent's love for a child, or the deep feelings associated with the "womb" (רֶחֶם, rechem). As a personal name, Yᵉrôchâm can be interpreted in a few ways:
1. **"Compassionate":** Suggesting an active quality of the individual, one who embodies mercy and tenderness.
2. **"May he be shown compassion":** An optative or jussive sense, reflecting a prayer or hope that the individual would be a recipient of divine or human mercy.
3. **"One who is loved/pitied":** A passive sense, indicating that the individual is an object of compassion.
Given the common practice of naming children with attributes or hopes, all these nuances contribute to the richness of the name. The Strong's definition "compassionate" leans towards the active or perhaps a recipient of compassion. As a proper name, its semantic range is primarily tied to this core etymological meaning.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name Jeroham (`{{H3395}}`) appears in the Old Testament as the name of several distinct individuals, highlighting its common usage across various tribes and periods. At least six distinct persons bear this name:
1. **Jeroham, Father of Elkanah:** He is identified as the father of Elkanah and grandfather of the prophet Samuel, a Levite from the hill country of Ephraim ([[1 Samuel 1:1]]). This same lineage appears in the Levitical genealogies in [[1 Chronicles 6:27]] (or [[1 Chronicles 6:34]] in some versions), though with slight variations in the intervening names, it almost certainly refers to the same ancestral line.
2. **Jeroham, a Benjamite Chief:** Listed among the chiefs of the fathers' houses who lived in Jerusalem. He is noted as the father of Ibneiah ([[1 Chronicles 8:27]]) and later mentioned in [[1 Chronicles 9:8]] as living in Jerusalem, likely referring to the same individual.
3. **Jeroham of Gedor:** Father of two Benjamite warriors, Joelah and Zebadiah, who joined David at Ziklag during his time as a fugitive ([[1 Chronicles 12:7]]). These men were described as mighty warriors, helpers in battle.
4. **Jeroham, Father of Azariah:** Azariah was one of the commanders of units of a hundred, who assisted Jehoiada the priest in overthrowing Athaliah and restoring the Davidic monarchy under Joash ([[2 Chronicles 23:1]]).
5. **Jeroham, a Priest:** Listed among the priests who returned from exile and settled in Jerusalem after the rebuilding of the wall. He is identified as a son of Pashhur, of the line of Malchijah ([[Nehemiah 11:12]]).
6. **Jeroham, a Levite:** The father of Azzi, who was an overseer of the work of the house of God among the Levites living in Jerusalem ([[Nehemiah 11:22]]).
The name Jeroham is consistently associated with individuals who held positions of some significance, whether as ancestors of prominent figures, tribal leaders, military supporters, or temple officials. The name itself, "compassionate" or "one shown compassion," does not explicitly dictate their roles, but it reflects a common and positive naming convention within Israelite society.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is the root from which Jeroham is derived:
* **רָחַם (racham, `{{H7355}}`):** The verb meaning "to have compassion," "to show mercy," "to love deeply." This root is central to understanding the name.
From this root, several important nouns are formed:
* **רַחֲמִים (rachamim, `{{H7356}}`):** The plural noun often translated as "compassion" or "mercy." The plural form frequently intensifies the meaning, signifying abundant or profound compassion.
* **רֶחֶם (rechem, `{{H7358}}`):** "Womb." This connection underscores the deep, innate, and often maternal quality of compassion in Hebrew thought.
Other related concepts include:
* **חֶסֶד (chesed, `{{H2617}}`):** Often translated as "steadfast love," "loving-kindness," or "mercy." While distinct, *chesed* and *rachamim* frequently appear together to describe God's gracious character, with *rachamim* emphasizing a tender, empathetic pity.
* **אֱמֶת (emet, `{{H571}}`):** "Truth" or "faithfulness." Often paired with *chesed* and *rachamim* to describe the covenantal attributes of God.
### Theological Significance
The name Jeroham, meaning "compassionate" or "one shown compassion," holds significant theological resonance in the Hebrew Bible. While it is a human name, its etymology points directly to a cardinal attribute of God. YHWH is frequently described as "merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness" ([[Exodus 34:6]], [[Psalm 103:8]]). The term "merciful" in these passages often translates forms of *racham*.
The act of naming a child "Jeroham" could signify:
1. **Aspiration:** A hope or prayer that the child would grow to embody the virtue of compassion, reflecting a divine quality. In a society where names were often prophetic or descriptive, this would be a significant aspiration.
2. **Gratitude for Divine Compassion:** A recognition that the child's life, or the family's well-being, was a direct result of God's compassion and mercy. Thus, "may he be shown compassion" could be a testament to YHWH's ongoing care.
3. **Cultural Value:** It underscores the high value placed on compassion within ancient Israelite culture, a value rooted in their understanding of God's character and their covenant relationship with Him. Israel was called to reflect God's compassion in their treatment of the vulnerable ([[Deuteronomy 10:18-19]]).
Therefore, the name Jeroham, though applied to various individuals, serves as a subtle yet profound reminder of the centrality of divine compassion in the biblical worldview and the human aspiration to reflect or receive such mercy.
### Summary
Jeroham (`{{H3395}}`) is a Hebrew personal name derived from the root `{{H7355}}` (racham), signifying "compassion" or "to be shown compassion." This name appears for at least six distinct individuals in the Old Testament, including ancestors of prominent figures like Samuel, Benjamite chiefs, and various temple officials, indicating its common usage across different tribal and historical contexts. The etymology of Jeroham is deeply significant, reflecting a core attribute of God, who is often described as supremely compassionate ([[Exodus 34:6]]). The use of this name in Israelite society suggests either an aspiration for the individual to embody compassion, a recognition of divine mercy shown to the family, or simply the cultural value placed on this virtue. Thus, Jeroham serves as a linguistic echo of the profound theological concept of divine and human compassion in the biblical narrative.
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