יוֹכֶ֫בֶד (yo.khe.ved)
yo.khe.ved
Jochebed
N:N-F-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-F-P
Word Overview
Jochebed is a proper name appearing only twice in the Hebrew Bible, in Exodus 6:20 and Numbers 26:59. The sources identify her as a woman of the tribe of Levi, daughter of Levi, and wife of Amram. She is best known as the mother of Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, figures central to the Exodus narrative.
The meaning of the name Jochebed is given as "Jehovah is glory." This etymology highlights a theological theme present in her story: God’s faithfulness amidst oppression. The texts note that she married Amram, who was her uncle (the son of Levi), a detail that underscores the preservation of the Levitical line during their time in Egypt.
Although the biblical text provides few details about her actions, her name serves as a permanent marker of her role in Israel’s history. By bearing the leaders who would confront Pharaoh and lead the people out of bondage, Jochebed’s identity is inextricably linked to the deliverance of Israel. Her brief mentions anchor the genealogy that leads to the nation’s founding.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Jochebed’s name means "Jehovah is glory," a quiet declaration of faith that echoes through her story. Though the Bible records only two mentions of her, these few lines anchor the entire Exodus narrative. As the mother of Moses and Aaron, she played a foundational role in Israel’s deliverance from Egypt. Her life reminds us that God often works through ordinary families to accomplish extraordinary purposes.
Her marriage to Amram, her uncle, highlights the preservation of the Levitical line during a time when the Hebrew people faced oppression. This detail underscores how God protected His chosen lineage even in a foreign land. Jochebed’s legacy is not just in her children’s deeds but in her own faithful place within God’s redemptive plan. Her story invites us to trust that our lives, however seemingly small, are part of something much larger.
When we read about Jochebed, we see how God uses everyday people to shape history. Her name serves as a permanent marker of her role in Israel’s founding. This truth encourages us to believe that our contributions, no matter how quiet, matter deeply to God’s purposes. May we find comfort in knowing that our lives are woven into His grand story.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [was] Jochebed1×
- Jochebed1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- יוֹכֶ֤בֶד1×
- יוֹכֶ֙בֶד֙1×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 6:20
Amram took Jochebed his father’s sister to himself as wife; and she bore him Aaron and Moses. The years of the life of Amram were one hundred thirty-seven years.
This verse establishes Jochebed as Amram's wife and the mother of Aaron and Moses, linking her directly to the leaders of the Exodus.
-
Numbers 26:59
The name of Amram’s wife was Jochebed, the daughter of Levi, who was born to Levi in Egypt. She bore to Amram Aaron and Moses, and Miriam their sister.
Here, Jochebed is identified as Levi's daughter born in Egypt, confirming the preservation of the Levitical line during their time in bondage.