probably from מָשָׁה; extricated; Nimshi, the (grand-) father of Jehu; Nimshi.
Transliteration:Nimshîy
Pronunciation:nim-shee'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma נִמְשִׁי (Nimshîy), Strong's number `{{H5250}}`, is a proper noun. Its base definition suggests a probable derivation from the verb מָשָׁה (mashah), Strong's number `{{H4871}}`, which means "to draw out," "to pull out," or "to extricate." Therefore, the name Nimshîy most likely carries the meaning "extricated" or "drawn out." As a proper noun, its semantic range is confined to its etymological root, describing the individual named rather than a broader concept. The implication of being "extricated" could subtly hint at a significant event surrounding the individual's birth or a divine act of rescue or selection.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Nimshîy appears four times in the Old Testament, consistently identified as an ancestor of Jehu, who became king of Israel.
* In [[1 Kings 19:16]], during Elijah's commission at Horeb, the Lord commands him to anoint "Jehu the son of Nimshi as king over Israel." This establishes Nimshîy as a key figure in Jehu's lineage.
* [[2 Kings 9:2]] provides a more precise genealogical detail, with Elisha's prophet instructing a servant to anoint "Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat the son of Nimshi" as king. This clarifies Nimshîy's position as Jehu's grandfather, with Jehoshaphat being Jehu's father.
* This lineage is reiterated in [[2 Kings 9:14]] when Jehu gathers his co-conspirators against Joram, being identified as "Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat the son of Nimshi."
* Finally, [[2 Chronicles 22:7]] refers to Jehu simply as "the son of Nimshi," likely a shortened or common way of referring to him, indicating Nimshîy's recognized place in the royal lineage.
In all occurrences, Nimshîy himself is a passive figure; he does not speak, act, or have any direct narrative role beyond establishing Jehu's ancestry. His primary function is genealogical, providing legitimacy and context for Jehu's divine appointment and subsequent actions.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most direct linguistic connection is to the Hebrew verb מָשָׁה (mashah, `{{H4871}}`), meaning "to draw out." This root is famously linked to the naming of Moses (מֹשֶׁה, Mosheh), because he was "drawn out" of the water ([[Exodus 2:10]]). While Nimshîy is a distinct proper noun, the shared etymological root suggests a common theme of being "drawn out" or "rescued," perhaps by divine hand.
Conceptually, Nimshîy's role connects to:
* **Genealogy:** His inclusion in Jehu's lineage highlights the biblical emphasis on ancestry for establishing identity, legitimacy, and the fulfillment of divine purposes. Genealogies often underscore God's work through generations.
* **Divine Appointment and Anointing:** As Jehu's ancestor, Nimshîy is indirectly linked to the theme of divine selection and anointing for specific tasks, particularly the execution of God's judgment against the wicked house of Ahab.
* **Prophetic Fulfillment:** Jehu's anointing was a direct fulfillment of prophecy (initially through Elijah, then Elisha), and Nimshîy's presence in the lineage subtly grounds this fulfillment within a historical and familial framework.
### Theological Significance
While Nimshîy remains a silent figure in the biblical narrative, his very existence within Jehu's lineage carries subtle theological weight.
* **Divine Providence in Lineage:** Nimshîy's name, "extricated," combined with his role as an ancestor of a divinely appointed king, can be seen as an understated testament to God's meticulous and sovereign plan. It suggests that God works through generations, preparing and "drawing out" individuals and their descendants for specific purposes in His unfolding drama of salvation and judgment.
* **Preparation for Divine Action:** The inclusion of Nimshîy, even as a distant progenitor, implies that Jehu's anointing was not a random event but occurred within a divinely orchestrated lineage. This underscores the biblical theme that God often prepares His instruments long before their appointed time, weaving their lives into a larger tapestry of His will.
* **Focus on God's Work:** The lack of personal detail about Nimshîy reinforces a common biblical principle: the ultimate focus is not on human fame or individual merit, but on how individuals, even those in the background, contribute to God's overarching plan. Nimshîy's significance is entirely derived from his connection to Jehu and the divine work accomplished through him.
### Summary
Nimshîy (`{{H5250}}`, נִמְשִׁי) is a Hebrew proper noun meaning "extricated" or "drawn out," likely derived from the verb מָשָׁה (mashah, `{{H4871}}`). He is consistently identified in the Old Testament as the grandfather (or sometimes simply "father" in a broader sense) of Jehu, the king of Israel chosen by God to execute judgment upon the house of Ahab. Nimshîy appears in [[1 Kings 19:16]], [[2 Kings 9:2]], [[2 Kings 9:14]], and [[2 Chronicles 22:7]]. Although he plays no active role in the narrative, his inclusion serves a crucial genealogical function, providing the lineage for Jehu's divine appointment. Theologically, Nimshîy's presence in the biblical record subtly highlights God's meticulous providence and long-term preparation within family lines, demonstrating His sovereign hand in raising up individuals for His specific purposes, even through generations. His name, "extricated," might serve as a quiet foreshadowing of the divine "drawing out" of his descendant, Jehu, for a pivotal mission.
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