יְהוּכַל (ye.hu.khal)
ye.hu.khal
Jehucal
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
Yĕhukal, meaning "Jehovah is able," was a courtier during the final days of Judah’s monarchy. He appears in the book of Jeremiah as the son of Shelemiah and a servant to King Zedekiah. His name reflects a theological confidence in God’s power, even as the kingdom faced imminent collapse.
He is best known for his interaction with the prophet Jeremiah. In Jeremiah 37:3, the king sends Yĕhukal to seek prayer and advice from the prophet regarding the Babylonian siege. This moment highlights the desperate political climate, where royal officials turned to divine guidance despite the looming destruction of Jerusalem.
Later, in Jeremiah 38:1, he is referred to as Jucal (Yûkal), likely a shortened form of his name. The text identifies him among those who opposed Jeremiah’s message of surrender, viewing it as treasonous. This shift from seeking prayer to opposing the prophet illustrates the complex and dangerous position of those who navigated loyalty to the crown and faith in God during Judah’s final years.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Jehucal means "Jehovah is able," a declaration of faith that carries weight even in times of crisis. In Jeremiah 37:3, King Zedekiah sends this courtier to the prophet with a simple request: "Pray now to Yahweh our God for us." This moment reveals a human tendency to seek divine help when circumstances become overwhelming, yet it also hints at the complexity of trusting God when political realities seem to contradict His promises.
It is easy to admire the sincerity of that initial prayer while recognizing the later tension in Jehucal’s life. When Jeremiah spoke of surrender as a path to survival, Jehucal and others opposed him, fearing treason more than they trusted God’s word. This shift reminds us that faith is not always steady; it wavers under pressure. We are invited to examine our own responses to difficult truths, asking whether we cling to comfort or remain open to God’s guidance, even when it challenges our expectations.
Ultimately, Jehucal’s story points to a deeper reality: God’s ability remains constant, regardless of human inconsistency. His name serves as a quiet reminder that divine power does not depend on our perfect understanding or unwavering courage. Instead, it rests in His faithfulness, offering hope to those who seek Him amid uncertainty.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Jehucal1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- יְהוּכַ֣ל1×
Key Verses
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Jeremiah 37:3
Zedekiah the king sent Jehucal the son of Shelemiah and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah, the priest, to the prophet Jeremiah, saying, “Pray now to Yahweh our God for us.”
This verse captures the moment Jehucal acts as an intermediary, reflecting the desperate hope of Judah’s leadership in seeking God’s intervention through prayer.