from נְחֹשֶׁת; copper; Nechushta, an Israelitess; Nehushta.
Transliteration:Nᵉchushtâʼ
Pronunciation:nekh-oosh-taw'
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term `{{H5179}}`, *Nᵉchushtâʼ*, is a proper noun derived directly from the noun `{{H5178}}`, *nᵉchoshet*, which signifies "bronze," "copper," or "brass." The suffix "-a" typically denotes a feminine form or is part of a proper name. In this instance, *Nᵉchushtâʼ* functions exclusively as a personal name. The underlying meaning of the base word, *nᵉchoshet*, often conveys ideas of strength, durability, permanence, or even judgment, given its use in various biblical contexts for implements, weapons, and metaphorical expressions. As a proper name, *Nᵉchushtâʼ* likely carried a similar connotative resonance, though the specific reason for its application to this individual is not explicitly stated.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name *Nᵉchushtâʼ* appears only once in the entire Hebrew Bible, in the book of 2 Kings.
* **[[2 Kings 24:8]]**: "Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months. His mother's name was Nehushta daughter of Elnathan, from Jerusalem."
In this singular occurrence, Nehushta is identified as the mother of King Jehoiachin of Judah. Her lineage is further specified as the daughter of Elnathan, a native of Jerusalem. As the "Gebirah" or Queen Mother, Nehushta would have held a position of considerable influence within the royal court, a common feature of the Judahite monarchy. Her son, Jehoiachin, reigned for a very brief period of three months before Jerusalem was besieged by Nebuchadnezzar, and he, along with his mother and other members of the royal household and officials, was taken captive to Babylon. The text offers no further details about Nehushta's character, actions, or fate beyond her identification and her participation in the exile. Her inclusion underscores the meticulous record-keeping of the biblical narrative, particularly concerning the royal lineage leading up to the Babylonian captivity.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is the root from which *Nᵉchushtâʼ* is derived:
* **`{{H5178}}` (nᵉchoshet)**: This is the common Hebrew word for "bronze," "copper," or "brass." Its occurrences throughout the Old Testament are numerous and varied, describing:
* Materials for the Tabernacle and Temple (e.g., the bronze altar in [[Exodus 27:2]], the bronze pillars in [[1 Kings 7:15]]).
* Weapons and implements (e.g., bronze bows in [[2 Samuel 22:35]], bronze fetters in [[Jeremiah 52:11]]).
* Figurative language denoting strength, hardness, or divine judgment (e.g., "sky of bronze" in [[Deuteronomy 28:23]], "forehead of bronze" in [[Isaiah 48:4]]).
A significant related concept, though distinct from the person Nehushta, is **Nehushtan** (derived from the same root `{{H5178}}`), the bronze serpent made by Moses in the wilderness ([[Numbers 21:9]]), which later became an object of idolatry and was destroyed by King Hezekiah ([[2 Kings 18:4]]). While *Nᵉchushtâʼ* is a proper name for a person and *Nehushtan* refers to the bronze serpent, their shared etymological root in "bronze" highlights the material's pervasive presence and symbolic weight within Israelite culture.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of Nehushta herself is largely indirect, as the biblical text provides no explicit theological commentary on her person or actions. Her importance lies primarily in her role within the Davidic lineage, specifically as the mother of a king of Judah during a pivotal moment in the nation's history. Her mention in [[2 Kings 24:8]] places her within the unfolding narrative of Judah's decline and the impending Babylonian exile, a period understood as divine judgment for the nation's unfaithfulness.
Her presence in the record, even as a figure whose deeds are not detailed, underscores the meticulous preservation of the royal genealogy, which is crucial for tracing the lineage of the Messiah. The brevity of her son's reign and their subsequent exile collectively serve as a stark illustration of the consequences of disobedience and the fulfillment of prophetic warnings. While her name's connection to "bronze" might subtly evoke themes of durability or the strength of the royal line, even in its final throes, this remains an interpretive possibility rather than an explicit theological statement. Ultimately, her historical placement serves to highlight God's sovereign oversight of history, even through periods of judgment and national upheaval, ensuring the continuity of the covenantal promises.
### Summary
`{{H5179}}`, *Nᵉchushtâʼ*, is a unique proper name derived from the Hebrew word for "bronze" or "copper" (`{{H5178}}`). It appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in [[2 Kings 24:8]], identifying her as the mother of King Jehoiachin of Judah and the daughter of Elnathan. Her significance is primarily genealogical, situating her within the royal lineage during the critical period leading to the Babylonian exile. While her name intrinsically links to the material "bronze," which carries various symbolic meanings in scripture (e.g., strength, durability, judgment, divine provision), the biblical text does not explicitly apply these meanings to her personal character or actions. Her inclusion serves to detail the royal succession and the historical context of Judah's final kings, implicitly underscoring the unfolding of divine judgment and the meticulous record of the Davidic line, even amidst national crisis.
TRV