or יְרֵימוֹת; or יְרֵמוֹת; feminine plural from רוּם; elevations; Jerimoth or Jeremoth, the name of twelve Israelites; Jermoth, Jerimoth, and Ramoth (from the margin).
Transliteration:Yᵉrîymôwth
Pronunciation:yer-ee-mohth'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma `{{H3406}}` (יְרִימוֹת, Yᵉrîymôwth) is a feminine plural noun derived from the root `{{H7311}}` (רוּם, rum), meaning "to be high," "to be exalted," or "to lift up." The base definition of `{{H3406}}` is "elevations" or "heights." As a common noun, it would denote raised places or things lifted up. However, its primary biblical usage is as a proper noun, "Jerimoth" or "Jeremoth," serving as a personal name for numerous Israelite individuals. The name, therefore, carries the intrinsic meaning of "elevations" or "high places," potentially implying prominence, a connection to elevated locations, or a metaphorical sense of being lifted up or exalted. The variations in transliteration, such as Jerimoth, Jeremoth, Jermoth, and even Ramoth (as noted in some marginal readings), reflect the consistent underlying meaning derived from the root `{{H7311}}`.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
`{{H3406}}` appears in the Hebrew Bible primarily as a proper name, identifying at least twelve distinct individuals across various tribes and roles, predominantly within the books of Chronicles and Ezra. The occurrences are:
* **A Benjamite, son of Beriah:** Listed among the heads of families in Benjamin's genealogy. [[1 Chronicles 7:7]]
* **A Benjamite, son of Becher:** Another individual in the Benjamite lineage. [[1 Chronicles 7:8]]
* **A Benjamite, son of Elpaal:** A descendant of Shaharaim, also in Benjamin's genealogy. [[1 Chronicles 8:14]]
* **A Benjamite, one of David's mighty men:** Joined David at Ziklag. [[1 Chronicles 12:5]] (This is [[1 Chronicles 12:4]] in some versions, where it reads "Jeremoth the Gederathite").
* **A Merarite Levite, son of Mushi:** A chief of the fathers' house of the Merarites. [[1 Chronicles 23:23]]
* **A Merarite Levite:** Listed among the Levites chosen by lot for service. [[1 Chronicles 24:30]]
* **A son of Heman:** One of the sons of Heman, chosen for the temple music service. [[1 Chronicles 25:4]]
* **A son of Heman:** Reappears in the same context as the previous entry, indicating his assigned lot in the musical divisions. [[1 Chronicles 25:22]]
* **A prince of the tribe of Naphtali:** An overseer of David's tribal divisions. [[1 Chronicles 27:19]]
* **A son of King David, by Abihail:** Father of Mahalath, who married King Rehoboam. [[2 Chronicles 11:18]]
* **A son of Zattu:** One of those who had taken foreign wives during the post-exilic period, who was persuaded to put them away. [[Ezra 10:27]]
* **A son of Bani:** Another individual who had taken a foreign wife and was required to divorce her. [[Ezra 10:29]]
In all these instances, "Jerimoth" functions purely as a personal identifier. There is no explicit textual connection between the individuals and the literal meaning of "elevations" or "high places," nor is there a consistent theme suggesting these individuals were particularly "exalted" or lived in "high places." The name likely functioned as many names do, carrying a pleasant or aspirational meaning at its origin, but becoming a conventional identifier over time. The sheer number of individuals bearing the name suggests it was not uncommon, similar to other names derived from common Hebrew roots.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word to `{{H3406}}` is its root, `{{H7311}}` (רוּם, rum), which signifies "to be high," "to be exalted," "to lift up," or "to raise." This root is prolific in the Hebrew Bible and gives rise to several related terms and concepts:
* `{{H4791}}` (מָרוֹם, marom): A noun meaning "height," "high place," or "exalted position." It can refer to physical elevation (e.g., "high places" for worship) or metaphorical exaltation (e.g., God's dwelling in the "heights").
* `{{H7313}}` (רוּמָה, rumah) and `{{H7413}}` (רָמָה, ramah): Both are proper nouns referring to specific geographical locations, literally meaning "height" or "high place."
* Concepts of "elevation" in the Bible extend beyond physical height. They encompass:
* **Divine Majesty and Transcendence:** God is frequently described as "high and lifted up" (e.g., [[Isaiah 6:1]]), signifying His supreme sovereignty and transcendence above all creation.
* **Exaltation and Honor:** To "lift up" someone's head or horn signifies honor, strength, or victory (e.g., [[Psalm 3:3]], [[Psalm 75:4]]).
* **Pride and Arrogance:** Negatively, "height" can symbolize human pride and self-exaltation, which is an abomination to God (e.g., [[Proverbs 16:18]], [[Isaiah 2:12]]).
* **High Places of Worship:** Both legitimate worship on mountains (e.g., Mount Sinai, Mount Zion) and illegitimate idolatrous worship on "high places" (`{{H1116}}`, `{{H1120}}`) are significant biblical themes.
While `{{H3406}}` itself is a proper name, its connection to `{{H7311}}` links it to this rich semantic field of height, exaltation, and prominence, whether in a physical, social, or spiritual sense.
### Theological Significance
As a proper noun, `{{H3406}}` (Jerimoth) does not carry a direct theological message in itself; its meaning is embedded in its etymology. However, the root `{{H7311}}` (רוּם, rum) from which it derives is deeply significant theologically. The concept of "elevation" or "being high" is central to biblical theology in several ways:
1. **God's Exaltation and Sovereignty:** The most profound theological implication of "height" is God's supreme elevation. He is "the Most High God" (`{{H5945}}` `{{H410}}`), exalted above all earthly and heavenly powers. This speaks to His transcendence, majesty, and absolute authority. The name Jerimoth, even as a human name, subtly echoes this divine attribute.
2. **Humanity's Call to Worship and Praise:** Humans are called to "lift up" (`{{H7311}}`) God's name in praise and worship, acknowledging His exalted status. This is a voluntary act of homage to the One who is inherently high.
3. **The Danger of Human Pride:** Conversely, the concept of "elevation" also serves as a theological warning against human pride and self-exaltation. When humanity attempts to "elevate" itself to God's level (e.g., the Tower of Babel in [[Genesis 11:4]]), it incurs divine judgment. True exaltation for humanity comes through humility and God's grace, not self-assertion (e.g., [[Matthew 23:12]], [[James 4:10]]).
4. **The Significance of Sacred Spaces:** "High places" in the Bible often serve as locations for divine encounter (e.g., mountains for revelation) or, tragically, as sites for idolatry (e.g., the forbidden high places where foreign gods were worshipped). The name Jerimoth, meaning "elevations," while not directly referring to these sites, stems from the same linguistic root that describes them.
Thus, while the name Jerimoth itself is primarily an identifier, its etymological roots in "elevations" connect it to fundamental theological truths about God's majesty, humanity's proper posture before Him, and the spiritual dangers of misplaced ambition.
### Summary
`{{H3406}}` (יְרִימוֹת, Yᵉrîymôwth) is a Hebrew proper noun, "Jerimoth" or "Jeremoth," derived from the root `{{H7311}}` (רוּם), meaning "to be high" or "to be exalted." Its literal meaning is "elevations" or "heights." The name is borne by at least twelve different Israelite men in the biblical record, particularly in the genealogies and historical accounts of Chronicles and Ezra. In these contexts, it functions solely as a personal identifier, without explicit narrative connection to the literal meaning of "elevations" for the individuals themselves. However, the underlying root `{{H7311}}` is profoundly significant in biblical theology, conveying concepts of divine majesty and transcendence, the human call to worship and exalt God, and the perils of human pride. Therefore, while the name Jerimoth is a common proper noun, its etymology subtly echoes the pervasive biblical theme of height and exaltation, pointing ultimately to the supreme elevation of God.
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