or יִרְמְיָהוּ; from רוּם and יָהּ; Jah will rise; Jirmejah, the name of eight or nine Israelites; Jeremiah.
Transliteration:Yirmᵉyâh
Pronunciation:yir-meh-yaw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma יִרְמְיָה (Yirmᵉyâh), also appearing as יִרְמְיָהוּ (Yirmᵉyâhû), is a theophoric name derived from two components: the verb root `{{H7311}}` (rûm), meaning "to be high," "to rise," or "to exalt," and יָהּ (Yah), a shortened form of the divine name Yahweh. Thus, the name's core meaning is "Yahweh will rise" or "Yahweh lifts up/exalts." This definition inherently points to an action initiated by God Himself. The semantic range of the name therefore encompasses concepts of divine elevation, establishment, or vindication. It is not merely a descriptive name but a theological statement, attributing an active, uplifting role to the God of Israel.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name Yirmᵉyâh appears numerous times in the Hebrew Bible, most notably as the name of the great prophet Jeremiah.
1. **Jeremiah the Prophet**: The most prominent figure bearing this name is the son of Hilkiah, a priest from Anathoth, whose prophetic ministry spanned the reigns of Josiah, Jehoiakim, and Zedekiah in Judah, leading up to the Babylonian exile ([[Jeremiah 1:1]], [[2 Chronicles 36:12]], [[Ezra 1:1]], [[Daniel 9:2]]). His life and ministry, characterized by profound suffering, rejection, and divine commission, deeply resonate with the meaning of his name. Despite being cast down and persecuted by his contemporaries, Yahweh continually "lifted him up" as His chosen messenger, sustaining him through immense hardship. The divine authority behind his often unpopular pronouncements of judgment and hope underscores that it was Yahweh who exalted and established His word through him.
2. **Other Individuals**: Beyond the prophet, the name is attributed to several other Israelites, highlighting its commonality:
* The father of Hamutal, mother of King Jehoahaz ([[2 Kings 23:31]]).
* A Gadite warrior who joined David at Ziklag ([[1 Chronicles 12:4]]).
* A Manassite warrior who joined David ([[1 Chronicles 12:10]]).
* A chief of the fathers of the tribe of Manasseh ([[1 Chronicles 5:24]]).
* A priest who returned with Zerubbabel ([[Nehemiah 10:2]], [[Nehemiah 12:1]]).
* Another priest in the time of Joiakim ([[Nehemiah 12:12]]).
* A Rechabite, son of Habazziniah ([[Jeremiah 35:3]]).
In each instance, while their specific roles vary, the name subtly points to God's overarching providence and His capacity to elevate or establish individuals within His redemptive plan, even if their narratives are not as extensively detailed as that of the prophet.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary root underlying Yirmᵉyâh is `{{H7311}}` (rûm), which carries a broad semantic field related to elevation: to be high, to be exalted, to lift up, to raise, to establish. This root is frequently used to describe God's actions, such as "lifting up" a people or "exalting" His name. The inclusion of יָהּ (Yah) explicitly ties this action to the covenant God of Israel.
Related concepts include:
* **Divine Sovereignty**: The name implicitly affirms that God is the active agent in human affairs, the One who raises up and establishes.
* **Prophetic Calling**: In the context of Jeremiah the prophet, the name speaks to the divine initiative in calling and empowering individuals for sacred service, often despite their own perceived inadequacies or the world's opposition.
* **Divine Sustenance**: For those called to difficult tasks, the name suggests that God Himself provides the necessary strength and elevation.
* **Vindication**: The idea of "Yahweh will rise" can also imply God's ultimate vindication of His chosen ones and His word, especially in times of apparent defeat or rejection.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of the name Yirmᵉyâh is profound, especially when considered in light of the prophet Jeremiah's life. It transforms a personal identifier into a confession of faith in God's active power.
For the prophet, his name served as a constant reminder and a prophetic declaration:
1. **God's Initiative in Calling**: It underscores that his ministry was not self-initiated but divinely ordained. Yahweh "lifted him up" from his ordinary life to be a prophet to the nations ([[Jeremiah 1:5]]).
2. **Divine Authority and Empowerment**: Despite his youth and reluctance ([[Jeremiah 1:6]]), the name signifies that the power behind his words and the authority of his message came from God, who would establish His word through him.
3. **Paradox of Suffering and Exaltation**: Jeremiah's life was marked by suffering, imprisonment, and rejection. Yet, his name, "Yahweh lifts up," encapsulates the paradox that even in his human abasement, he was divinely exalted as God's faithful messenger. It speaks to God's ability to use the weak and despised to accomplish His mighty purposes ([[1 Corinthians 1:27-29]]).
4. **Hope in Judgment**: Even amidst dire prophecies of judgment and exile, the name subtly hints at God's ultimate purpose to "lift up" His people again, to restore them from their captivity, and to establish a new covenant ([[Jeremiah 31:31-34]]). It reflects the enduring hope that Yahweh, who casts down, also has the power to raise up.
### Summary
The Hebrew name Yirmᵉyâh (`{{H3414}}`), meaning "Yahweh will rise" or "Yahweh lifts up/exalts," is a theophoric name that powerfully declares God's active role in human affairs. Most famously associated with the prophet Jeremiah, the name encapsulates the divine initiative in calling, empowering, and sustaining His servants, even amidst profound suffering and opposition. It speaks to the paradoxical truth that God "lifts up" those whom He chooses, establishing His word and purpose through them, and ultimately bringing about His sovereign will. Beyond the prophet, the name's usage for other Israelites consistently points to the overarching theme of God's ability to elevate and establish individuals within His grand redemptive narrative, affirming His supreme authority and faithfulness.
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