יְדִידְיָה (ye.did.yah)
ye.did.yah
Jedidiah
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The Hebrew name yĕdîḏyāh, rendered in English as Jedidiah, literally means "beloved of Yahweh." It appears only once in the Old Testament, recorded in 2 Samuel 12:25. The prophet Nathan gave this name to the infant son of King David and Bathsheba, serving as a divine affirmation following the child’s birth after a period of grief and repentance.
This personal name is an alternate title for Solomon, whose primary name means "peace." The dual naming highlights two aspects of his identity: his royal lineage and peace-bringing role, alongside God’s intimate affection for him. By using Jedidiah, the text emphasizes that Solomon’s reign was established by divine favor rather than political maneuver alone.
The brevity of its occurrence underscores a specific theological point at a critical moment in David’s life. The name functions as a sign of grace and restoration, marking the child as one who is cherished by God despite the turbulent circumstances surrounding his conception. It remains a singular witness to God’s personal involvement in the history of Israel’s monarchy.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Jedidiah means "beloved of Yahweh," a tender title given by the prophet Nathan to the son of David and Bathsheba in 2 Samuel 12:25. This moment stands as a quiet but powerful reminder that God’s love is not withdrawn because of our past mistakes or difficult circumstances. Even when life feels broken, divine affection remains steadfast and personal.
For your own faith journey, this name invites you to rest in the truth that you are cherished by God. It is not about earning favor through perfect behavior, but receiving grace that restores and renews. In seasons of sorrow or repentance, remember that you are known and loved by name, just as Solomon was.
This single occurrence in Scripture highlights how deeply God cares for individuals within the broader story of His people. It offers hope that no situation is beyond the reach of His restoring love, encouraging trust in His ongoing care.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Jedidiah1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- יְדִ֣ידְיָ֑הּ1×
Key Verses
-
II Samuel 12:25
and he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet, and he named him Jedidiah, for Yahweh’s sake.
This verse records Nathan naming the child Jedidiah, explicitly linking the title to Yahweh's personal affection and restoration after David's sin.